Music Notation and Terminology Part 18

The word _sequence_ is also applied to a succession of similar melodic progressions, as in Fig. 73.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 73.]

209. _Modulation_ is a change of key without any break in the continuity of chords or melody tones. _Harmonic modulations_ are usually effected through the medium of a chord, some or all of whose tones are common to both keys. Examples of both _harmonic_ and _melodic modulations_ are shown in Figs. 74 and 75.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 74.]

The chord most frequently used in modulating is the _dominant seventh_, _i.e._, a seventh chord (see Sec. 201) on the dominant tone of the key.

In the key of C this chord is G--B--D--F; in the key of D it is A--C[sharp]--E--G; in the key of A[flat] it is E[flat]--G--B[flat]--D[flat], etc.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 75.]

210. A _suspension_ is the temporary subst.i.tution of a tone a degree higher than the regular chord-tone, this temporary tone being later replaced by the regular chord-tone. See Fig. 76 (_a_).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 76.]

211. A _r.e.t.a.r.dation_ is the temporary subst.i.tution of a tone a degree lower than the regular tone, this tone (as in the case of the suspension) being later replaced by the regular chord tone. See Fig. 77 (_a_).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 77.]

The "regular chord tone" to which both suspension and r.e.t.a.r.dation resolve is called the _tone of resolution_.

212. The _antic.i.p.ation_ is a chord-tone introduced just before the rest of the chord to which it belongs is sounded. See Fig. 78 (_a_).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 78.]

213. A _pedal point_ (or _organ point_) is a tone sustained through a succession of harmonic progressions, to the chords of some of which it usually belongs. The term _pedal point_ originated in organ playing, (where the foot on a pedal can sustain a tone while the hands are playing a succession of harmonies), but as now used it may be applied to any kind of music. The dominant and tonic are the tones most often used in this way. See Fig. 79.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 79. SCHUMANN]

214. When the upper three voices of a four-voice composition are written close together (the soprano and tenor never appearing more than an octave apart), the term _close position_ is applied. But when the upper voices are not written close together, the term _open position_ is applied.

215. By _transposition_ is meant playing, singing, or writing a piece of music in some other key than the original. Thus _e.g._, if a song written in the key of G is too high in range for a soloist, the accompanist sometimes _transposes_ it to a lower key (as F or E), thus causing all tones to sound a second or a third lower than they did when the same song was played in the original key.

CHAPTER XIX

MISCELLANEOUS TERMS

_A battuta_--with the beat; in strict rhythm. [Transcriber's Note: Corrected error "battua" in original.]

_a quatre mains_--for four hands.

_Accompagnamento_--the accompaniment.

_All'unisono_--in unison.

_Alla breve_--2/2 measure.

The term _alla breve_ is also sometimes used as a tempo indication, to show a rate of speed so great that a half-note has a beat, _i.e._, only two beats in a measure--hence twice as fast as before.

_Alla capella_--usually the same as a capella (see p. 76, Sec. 162) but sometimes _used_ in the same sense as _alla breve_.

_Alla marcia_--in march style.

_Alla zingara_--in gypsy style.

_Alt_--see _in alt_.

_Alto_--the lowest female voice. Range approximately g-e".

The word _alto_ is derived from the Latin word _altus_, meaning _high_, the term being formerly applied to the highest male voice, which originally sang (and still does so in many male choirs) the alto part.

_Animato come sopra_--in animated style as above.

_Antiphony_ (_antiphonal_)--the responsive singing of two choirs, usually one at either end of the church, or at either side of the chancel.

_Arabesque_--an instrumental composition in light, somewhat fantastic style.

The term _arabesque_ is derived from the word _Arabian_, and was originally applied to a style of decoration.

_Arioso_--in the style of an air or song, _i.e._, a flowing, vocal style.

_Attacca_--attack the next division without any pause.

_Attacca subito_--same as _attacca_.

_Attacca subito il seguente_--attack at once that which follows.

[Transcriber's Note: In last 3 entries, corrected misspelling "attaca"

in original.]

_Attack_--the promptness or firmness with which a phrase is begun.

_Bagpipe_--A Scotch instrument on which the tone is produced by a combination of bellows and reeds. Its characteristic effect is the continuous sounding of a low tone (sometimes several tones) while the melody is being played on the higher reeds.

_Barcarole_ (or _barcarolle_)--a boat song. Also applied to a vocal or instrumental composition in the style of the gondolier's boat song.

_Baritone_ (or _barytone_)--the male voice having a range between that of the tenor and that of the ba.s.s. Approximate range G-g'.

_Ba.s.s_--the lowest male voice. Approximate range E-e'.

_Ba.s.so_--same as _ba.s.s_.

_Berceuse_--a cradle song.