RCM History 10: Vocabulary| Exam
Review 2025/2026| Approved 100%
Questions with Verified Answers
What is the defining feature of monophonic texture?
A single line of melody with no harmony or accompaniment.
What does polyphonic texture involve?
Two or more independent melodic lines heard at the same time.
How are modes distinguished from one another in music?
By their unique order of half and whole steps.
What were neumes used for in Western art music?
The earliest notated symbols for pitch.
What is the term for vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment?
A cappella.
Describe the texture and melody style of plainchant.
Monophonic texture, modal melodies, narrow range, unmeasured rhythm.
1
,What kind of liturgical music does Gregorian chant represent?
Sacred, monophonic, modal music with Latin texts.
What is syllabic text setting?
One note for each syllable of text.
What characterizes neumatic text setting?
Two to four notes for each syllable.
What is the performance style of responsorial singing?
Alternation between a soloist (verse) and choral passages (respond).
Describe melismatic text setting.
Multiple notes for a single syllable.
What does the Mass in the Roman Catholic liturgy include?
Prayers, readings, reenactments, with texts that are variable (Proper) and constant
(Ordinary).
What part of the Mass changes based on the church calendar?
Mass Proper.
2
, What is the gradual in the context of the Mass?
A melismatic, responsorial section based on the Psalms.
What is organum in vocal music?
The addition of one or more melodic lines to a Gregorian chant.
What role does the tenor voice play in early polyphony?
It contains the cantus firmus.
What is organal style in organum?
The lower voice sings long notes from the original chant.
What does the term discant style refer to in organum?
Rhythmic movement with note-against-note motion between voices.
What is clausula in early polyphony?
A polyphonic, discant section based on a single word or syllable.
What are rhythmic modes?
Six patterns that provided structure and alignment in early polyphony.
What defines a motet in vocal music?
3
Review 2025/2026| Approved 100%
Questions with Verified Answers
What is the defining feature of monophonic texture?
A single line of melody with no harmony or accompaniment.
What does polyphonic texture involve?
Two or more independent melodic lines heard at the same time.
How are modes distinguished from one another in music?
By their unique order of half and whole steps.
What were neumes used for in Western art music?
The earliest notated symbols for pitch.
What is the term for vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment?
A cappella.
Describe the texture and melody style of plainchant.
Monophonic texture, modal melodies, narrow range, unmeasured rhythm.
1
,What kind of liturgical music does Gregorian chant represent?
Sacred, monophonic, modal music with Latin texts.
What is syllabic text setting?
One note for each syllable of text.
What characterizes neumatic text setting?
Two to four notes for each syllable.
What is the performance style of responsorial singing?
Alternation between a soloist (verse) and choral passages (respond).
Describe melismatic text setting.
Multiple notes for a single syllable.
What does the Mass in the Roman Catholic liturgy include?
Prayers, readings, reenactments, with texts that are variable (Proper) and constant
(Ordinary).
What part of the Mass changes based on the church calendar?
Mass Proper.
2
, What is the gradual in the context of the Mass?
A melismatic, responsorial section based on the Psalms.
What is organum in vocal music?
The addition of one or more melodic lines to a Gregorian chant.
What role does the tenor voice play in early polyphony?
It contains the cantus firmus.
What is organal style in organum?
The lower voice sings long notes from the original chant.
What does the term discant style refer to in organum?
Rhythmic movement with note-against-note motion between voices.
What is clausula in early polyphony?
A polyphonic, discant section based on a single word or syllable.
What are rhythmic modes?
Six patterns that provided structure and alignment in early polyphony.
What defines a motet in vocal music?
3
