Definitions
Autoharp - A small stringed instrument held in the lap and strummed. The sound is similar to a harp.
Empty Garbage Before Dad Flips - The saying used to help remember the notes that fall on the treble clef lines.
FACE - The saying used to help remember the notes that fall on the treble clef spaces.
Canon
- A musical piece that has one group or person starting the melody
followed by one or more groups repeating the melody after group one has
started. Each group will begin at a different time. This type of piece
often sounds somewhat like a race with all groups ending together at
the finish line. Most students would recognize "Row, Row, Row Your
Boat" as a form of canon or round.
Theme - The main idea of a musical work.
Variation
- The main idea of a musical work altered in some way. This alteration
could be melodic, rhythmic, or through instrumentation, or a
combination of all three.
Graphic Organizer - A way to organize thoughts on paper using diagrams, graphs, etc.
Main Idea - The core thought of a work of music (or literature).
Genre - A style of music or literature.
Biography - The story of someone's life, written by someone other than the person who is being written about.
Autobiography - The story of someone's life written by the person himself.
Contrast - When something is slightly different from something else; comparing differences.
Ostinato - A repeated rhythm pattern.
Taiko - A form of Japanese drumming that involves very large drums and often acrobatics.
Major Key - Music that is written in a major key tends to sound happy or joyful.
Minor Key - Music that is written in a minor key tends to sound sad or depressing.
Tempo - How fast or slow the music goes.
Editorial - An opinion expressed in writing. This opinion often resembles as article such as appears in a newspaper.
Bias - A judgment based on a personal point of view.
Expression - This is what gives music it's "uniqueness". Expression is often created through dynamics and articulation.
Tone Color - The unique sound of a voice or instrument.
Mood - The overall "feel" of a piece of music.