Arco
A string technique in which the player uses a bow
Basso Continuo
A term used in Baroque music used to describe an instrument that plays the bassline
Counterpoint
A polyphonic texture in which separate, equal voices are independent in melodic movement but related in harmony
Homophonic
Describing a texture in which a chordal accompaniment supports a primary voice
Imitation
The echoing of a musical phrase in a different instrumental phrase
Idiomatic
A word used to describe musical features that are appropriate or the technical capabilities of a particular instrument
Monophonic
A musical texture made up of only a single voice
Parallel octaves
Where two or more consecutive notes of a melodic line are played simultaneously in
the octave above or below
parallel 3rds
Where two melodic lines are continuously the interval of a major 3rd apart
Polarised
Describing a texture in which there is a large distance between soprano and bass lines
Polyphonic
Describing a texture in which there are multiple independent, equally important
melodic lines
