IGCSE MUSIC TERMINOLOGY

1. A large-scale composition, often in four movements, for orchestra.
4. A melodic device in which a short musical idea is immediately repeated but starting on a different note.
5. Type of scale made entirely of semitones.
6. The fifth note of a scale or key.
8. The first note of a scale or key.
11. Musical texture in which different pitches move in the same rhythm (i.e. in chords).
15. How many sharps in the key of A major?
16. Rapid repetition of a single pitch or the rapid alternation between two different pitches.
17. A type of cadence that ends on chord V.
20. A type of ornament involving the rapid alternation of two notes next to each other (e.g., C-D).
21. Chords I, IV and V are known as _________________ TRIADS.
23. When a stringed instrument, such as a violin or cello, is played with the bow (i.e., the opposite of staccato).
25. What type of clef does the viola use.
26. Italian tempo marking meaning “at walking speed”.
27. How many flats in the key of B-flat minor?
29. 6/8 is an example of _______________ DUPLE TIME.
30. Italian term meaning to play sweetly.

2. The term meaning “change of key”.
3. A three-note chord.
5. The word that describes melodies that move in steps.
7. A large ensemble with string instruments and the addition of other instruments, such as wind, brass and percussion instruments.
9. A short melodic idea that is reused, developed and varied throughout a piece of music.
10. Type of minor scale that has both the sixth and seventh notes raised when ascending.
12. When the strings on a bowed string instrument, such as a violin or cello, are plucked with the fingers.
13. Abbreviation of the musical term meaning to get gradually louder.
14. Three letter acronym meaning “beats per minute”.
18. The strongest cadence (Chord V – Chord I).
19. A rhythmic feature when notes are placed in between beats.
22. A type of articulation in which notes are played separated or detached.
24. Musical element that refers to the speed of the pulse or beat in a piece of music.
28. The distance between two pitches (e.g., C-E is a major third).