Question 1

Oblique motion

Accepted Answer

A type of progression in two-part counterpoint in which one voice moves and the other remains stationary.

Question 2

Octave

Accepted Answer

1. A series of eight consecutive diatonic tones. 2. The interval between the first and eighth tones of such a series.

Question 3

Opus

Accepted Answer

Work; often written Op. or op. Opus number, one number in the series with which a composer traditionally marks his or her works.

Question 4

Ornament

Accepted Answer

An embellishment.

Question 5

Ossia

Accepted Answer

Or; or else; indicates an alternative reading or fingering of a passage.

Question 6

Ostinato

Accepted Answer

Obstinate; the incessant repetition of a theme.

Question 7

Ottava

Accepted Answer

Octave; written 8va---- or 8---- to be played an octave higher; written 8va bassa---- or 8vb---- or 8 bassa---- to be played an octave lower.

Question 8

Parallel motion

Accepted Answer

Voice leading in harmony or counterpoint in which intervals move in the same direction.

Question 9

Passage

Accepted Answer

1. A portion or section of a piece, usually short. 2. A rapid repeated figure, either ascending or descending.

Question 10

Passing notes or tones

Accepted Answer

Notes or tones foreign to the chords which they accompany, and passing by a step from one to another.

Question 11

Pasticcio (It.) Pastiche (Fr.)

Accepted Answer

A musical medly of extracts from different works, pieced together an provided with new words so as to form a "new" composition.

Question 12

Pedal note or tone

Accepted Answer

A sustained or continuously repeated note (tone).

Question 13

Pensoso

Accepted Answer

Pensive, thoughtful.

Question 14

Perdendosi

Accepted Answer

Dying away.

Question 15

Pesante

Accepted Answer

Heavy, ponderous; firm, vigorous.

Question 16

Peu à peu

Accepted Answer

Little by little.

Question 17

Pezzi

Accepted Answer

Pieces.

Question 18

Pezzo

Accepted Answer

Piece

Question 19

Phrase

Accepted Answer

A short figure or passage unbroken in continuity and thus complete in itself.

Question 20

Phrase mark

Accepted Answer

A curved line connecting the notes of a phrase.

Question 21

Phrygian mode

Accepted Answer

The church mode corresponding to the scale from E to E on the white keys of a piano; the order of intervals is: tone-tone-tone-semitone-tone-tone-semitone.

Question 22

Piacevole

Accepted Answer

Pleasant, agreeable.

Question 23

Pianissimo

Accepted Answer

Very soft; abbreviated pp.

Question 24

Piano

Accepted Answer

Soft, softly; abbreviated p.

Question 25

Piccanteria, con"

Accepted Answer

With piquant, sprightly expression.

Question 26

Pietoso

Accepted Answer

Pitiful, moving.

Question 27

Piu

Accepted Answer

More.

Question 28

Pivot chord

Accepted Answer

In modulation, a chord pivotal to both the old key and the new key.

Question 29

Placidamente

Accepted Answer

Placidly, tranquilly.

Question 30

Placid

Accepted Answer

Placid, smooth.

Question 31

Plein

Accepted Answer

Full.

Question 32

Pochissimo

Accepted Answer

Very little.

Question 33

Poco

Accepted Answer

Little. A poco a poco, little by little.

Question 34

Polka

Accepted Answer

A lively round dance in 2/4 time.

Question 35

Polonaise

Accepted Answer

A dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time and moderate tempo.

Question 36

Polymetre

Accepted Answer

The simultaneous presence of musical lines in different meters.

Question 37

Polyphony

Accepted Answer

The combination in harmonious progression of two of more independent melodies.

Question 38

Polyrhythm

Accepted Answer

The simultaneous presence two or more conflicting transient rhythms.

Question 39

Polytonality

Accepted Answer

The simultaneous use of two or more different tonalities or keys.

Question 40

Pomposo

Accepted Answer

Pompously, loftily.

Question 41

Ponderoso

Accepted Answer

Ponderous.

Question 42

Posato

Accepted Answer

Sedate, dignified.

Question 43

Presedente

Accepted Answer

Preceding.

Question 44

Preciso

Accepted Answer

With precision.

Question 45

Prelude

Accepted Answer

A musical introduction to a composition or drama.

Question 46

Pressando

Accepted Answer

Pressing on, accelerating.

Question 47

Pressez

Accepted Answer

Accelerate; go faster.

Question 48

Prestissimo

Accepted Answer

Very rapidly.

Question 49

Presto

Accepted Answer

Fast, rapid.

Question 50

Primary accent

Accepted Answer

The downbeat. or thesis; the accent beginning the bar.

Question 51

Progression

Accepted Answer

The advance from one tone to another (melodic) or from one chord to another (harmonic).

Question 52

Pronto

Accepted Answer

Promptly, swiftly.

Question 53

Pronunziato

Accepted Answer

Pronounced, marked.

Question 54

Quadruplet

Accepted Answer

A group of four exual notes, to be executed in the time of three or six of the same kind of notes in the established rhythm.

Question 55

Quasi

Accepted Answer

As if; nearly; approaching.

Question 56

Quaver

Accepted Answer

An eighth note.

Question 57

Quintuplet

Accepted Answer

A group of five equal notes to be executed in the time of four of the same kind of notes in the established rhythm.

Question 58

Rallentando

Accepted Answer

To grow slower.

Question 59

Rapido

Accepted Answer

With rapidity: rapidly.

Question 60

Rasch

Accepted Answer

Fast, rapid, swift.

Question 61

Recapitulation

Accepted Answer

A return of the initial section of a movement in sonata form.

Question 62

Recitando

Accepted Answer

In declamatory style.

Question 63

Refrain

Accepted Answer

A recurring melody of a song, usually at the end of a stanza: in popular music, a chorus.

Question 64

Religioso

Accepted Answer

In a devotional style.

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