wavelength
determines the pitch of the sound
frequency
the rate of vibration measured in "times per second," called Hertz
amplitude
Determines the loudness of the sound aka dynamics
waveform
Shape and form of the sound wave as it moves in distance and frequency; produces unique qualities of sound
timbre
the unique qualities of sound and is made up of more than one frequency; involving harmonics or overtones
consonant
notes that sound pleasant together
dissonant
notes that don't sound pleasant together/clash
envelope of sound
composed of a sound's attack, sustain, and release
articulation
the manner in which a note is begun, sustained and ended
duration
the length of time sound and silence lasts
staff
most music is written on this; made up of five lines and four spaces
soprano
highest female voice
mezzo soprano
moderately high female voice
alto
low female voice
tenor
high male voice
baritone
low male voice
c clef
Clef that shows where middle c is located; is movable
monophonic
when music is just a single line of melody
polyphonic
when there are more layers of music with multiple lines being sung or played at the same time
treble clef
a g is on the second line of the staff
bass clef
f is on the fourth line of the staff
system/grand or great staff
multiple staves connected together by bar lines.
ledger lines/leger lines
small lines that extend the staff for when notes are above or below the staff
neutral clef
used for rhythm only, or for pitchless or untuned instruments
sharp
raises the pitch one half step above its natural pitch
flat
means the pitch is one half step lower
interval
distance between two notes
half step
smallest space between two notes
enharmonic equivalent
ex. A? is the same thing as B?/different names - same pitch
whole step
two half steps
double sharp
raise a pitch by two half steps
double flat
lowers the pitch by two half steps
natural
cancels out a sharp or flat ?
note head
body of a note
note stem
part of a note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than the whole note
note flag
part of the note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than a quarter note
beam
when two flagged notes are next to each other, they are connected by this
bar line
the vertical line that divides the staff into measures
measure
the unit of space between the bar lines
double bar line
two lines that signal the end of a section of music or the entire piece
cautionary accidental
if there is an accidental early in a measure, this is in parentheses for later placement
contralto
lowest female voice
Soprano clef
C clef where middle C is indicated on the first line of the staff
C/5
Another name for C above Middle C
Mezzo-soprano clef
C clef where middle C is indicated on the second line of the staff
Alto Clef
C clef where middle C is indicated on the third line of the staff
Tenor Clef
C clef where middle C is indicated on the fourth line of the staff
Baritone Clef
C clef where middle C is indicated on the fifth/top line of the staff
8 below a treble clef
indicates to sing an octave lower than written