Music Analysis Terms Guide

1.       Melody –

Conjunct melody –

Disjunct melody –

2.       Rhythm –

Triple Meter –

Quadruple Meter –

Nonmetric –

Syncopation –

3.       Harmony - 
                 Consonant
                       Dissonant
                       Major
                       Minor

4.     Texture –

Monophony –

Homophony –

Polyphony –

5.        Form –

Repetition –

Variation –

Contrast –

Strophic form –

Binary form –

Ternary form –

Call-and-response –

6.       Tempo –

Grave –

Largo –

Adagio –

Andante –

Moderato –

Allegro –

Vivace –

Presto –

7.       Dynamics –

Pianissimo –

Piano –

Mezzo piano –

Mezzo forte –

Forte –

Fortissimo –

Crescendo –

Decrescendo or diminuendo –

Sforzando –

8.       Timbre –

Voice Parts    

Soprano –

Mezzo-soprano –

Alto (contralto) –

Tenor –

Baritone –

Bass –

Chorus –

A cappella –

Instrument Families

String Family   Woodwind Family   Brass Family   Percussion   Keyboard Family

Aerophones –

Chordophones –

Idiophones –

Membranophones –

Chamber Ensemble (define and give examples) –

Symphony Orchestra –

Concert band –

Marching band –

Jazz band –

Rock band –

Genre –

                        Sacred -
                        Secular - 

Medium –