Glossary

Block chords

A succession of similar chords.

Crescendo

Gradually getting louder.

Diminuendo

Gradually getting quieter.

Doubled

Played by more than one instrument or voice.

Dynamics

Loudness, measured in decibels, but perceived as relative loudness or quietness.

Form

The shape or organisation of a piece of music.

Fortissimo

Very loud.

Homophonic

A texture of several musical lines of similar rhythmic character.

Monophonic

A single line of melody with no accompaniment.

Pianissimo

Very quiet.

Polyphonic

A texture in which several independent musical lines interweave.

Riff

A short, repeated melodic pattern in popular music.

Texture

The relationship between melodic (horizontal) and harmonic (vertical) elements of the music.