GCSE Music

Glossary
Word Definition

Musical elements
Organisation of pitch

Arpeggio

Cadence

Bass (line)

Chord

Conjunct

Disjunct

Dissonance

Chord
sequence

Drone

Ground Bass

Harmony
 Word Definition

Interval

Melody

Melodic device

Monotone

Ornamentation

Ostinato

Pedal (or pedal

point)

Riff

Roman
numerals

Scale

Sequence

Stepwise

Theme

Leap
 Word Definition

Tonality

Atonal

Chromatic

Dominant (key)

Key

Major

Minor

Modal

Modulation

Pentatonic

Relative
major/minor

Form/Structure

Binary

Introduction

Phrase
 Word Definition

Rondo

Sonata form

Ternary

Strophic

Sonority

Articulation

Timbre

Texture

Accompaniment

Continuo (or
Basso
continuo)

Heterophony

Homophony

Monophony

Polyphony

Two-part
 Word Definition

Imitation

Tempo, metre and rhythm

Dotted rhythm

Duration

Shuffle

Swing

Swung Rhythm

Syncopation

Triplets

Rhythmic
diminution

Performance techniques

Double
stopping

Glissando

Hammer on

Harmonics
 Word Definition

Improvisation

Melisma

Pull off

Range

Tessitura

Wah wah

Phrasing

Pizzicato

Skeleton score

Tablature

Tremolo

Lyrics

Word painting

Ornamentation
 Word Definition

Historical periods, styles and genres

Baroque

Cantata

Classical

Concerto

Concerto
grosso

Fusion

Genre

Gigue

Jazz

March

Musical theatre

Oral tradition

Prelude
 Word Definition

Rock

Samba

Sonata

Suite

Music Technology

Chorus effect

Flanger

Multi-track
recording

Over-dubbing

Pitch shift

Re-take

(Studio) effects

Track