A Level Music Edexcel Review Questions and Answers

rganisation of pitch (melodically and harmonically) 'Pitch' refers how high or low a sound is Augmented 6th chord A chord containing the interval of an augmented 6th (e.g. A flat to F sharp in the chord A flat, C, E flat, F sharp) Cadence The chords that conclude a musical phrase (e.g. a perfect cadence with chords V‒I or an imperfect cadence with I (or other non-dominant chord) and V) Chord The simultaneous sounding together of two or more notes Circle of fifths A chord progression where the root of each chord is a 5th lower (or a 4th higher) than its predecessor (e.g. in C major with chords of C F Bdim Em Am Dm G C). In practice, segments of the circle of 5ths (rather than complete circles) are often used Chord sequence A series of chords, usually repeated (e.g. in a 12-bar blues) Diminished 7th chord A chord consisting of three superimposed minor 3rds (e.g. C sharp, E, G, B flat) Drone Especially in non-classical genres, the extended sustaining or repeating of a note or a harmonic interval (notably a perfect 5th) Harmony Successions of chords (or sometimes refers to single chords) Melody A melody (or 'melodic line') is a succession of single sounds - most frequently an individual strand or part within a fuller musical texture. A melody is usually 'tuneful' or otherwise prominent or memorable Neapolitan 6th chord The first inversion of the triad on the flattened supertonic (usually in a minor key - as, for example, D, F, B flat in A minor) Ornamentation The process of elaborating or decorating musical material (particularly a melody).