Passacaglia
Variations over a ground bass
Ground bass
Bass which is repeated many times
Coda
A short passage at the end of a piece which rounds it off
Ritornello
Recurring theme with contrasting episodes played after each theme
Contrary motion
Two parts which move in opposite directions
Cross rhythms
Contrasting rhythms played at the same time
Inverted pedal
A note which is held on or repeated at a high pitch
Pedal
A note which is held on or repeated in the bass
Rubato
No strict tempo
Tierce de picardie
When a piece of music in a minor key has a major chord at the very end
Triplets
Squeezing 3 notes into the space where there are normally 2