Baroque
Music in the Western Classical Tradition from c1600‒c1750.
Cantata
A work (sacred or secular, and particularly associated with the Baroque period) in several movements for singer(s) and instruments
classical (with lower-case c)
Describes music from the Western Classical Tradition generally (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.).
‘Classical’ with upper-case C
refers to Music in the Western Classical Tradition from c1750‒c1820
(Solo) concerto
A work for soloist and orchestra, usually in three movements
Concerto grosso
A type of concerto favoured in the Baroque period, commonly with three soloists and orchestra
Fusion
The blending of more than one musical style or culture to create a new ‘fused’ sound (e.g. Afro-Cuban) Genre A type of piece (e.g. opera, rock, concerto)
Gigue
The term covers both a fast Baroque dance and pieces suggestive of that dance (rather than necessarily intended for use in the dance). A gigue is normally in compound metre (such as 12/8)
Jazz
Originally a fusion of African and North American styles. A number of varieties of jazz have developed over time, including New Orleans, swing, bebop
March
Originally a march was for soldiers to march to – usually in 4/4 time, with regular and often repetitive rhythms. Now used for any piece of similar character designed, for example, for ceremonial or processional use
Musical theatre
Musical theatre integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, within a popular idiom. ‘Musicals’ are extended pieces of musical theatre from which favourite songs are often performed separately
Oral tradition
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
Prelude
Especially in the Baroque period, an ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s). Later preludes are often just short stand-alone pieces
Rock
Emerged in the 1950s as ‘rock and roll’, and subsequently developed into a range of different popular styles
Samba
A dance characteristic of Brazil, but with its roots in Africa. Usually quick, with frequent use of the syncopated rhythm semiquaver-quaversemiquaver.
Sonata
A fairly extended composition, usually in three or four movements, with one or more (particularly the first) in sonata form. Many sonatas are for solo piano Suite A group of pieces, all or some of which are usually in Baroque or Classical dance styles
Music in the Western Classical Tradition from c1600‒c1750.
Cantata
A work (sacred or secular, and particularly associated with the Baroque period) in several movements for singer(s) and instruments
classical (with lower-case c)
Describes music from the Western Classical Tradition generally (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc.).
‘Classical’ with upper-case C
refers to Music in the Western Classical Tradition from c1750‒c1820
(Solo) concerto
A work for soloist and orchestra, usually in three movements
Concerto grosso
A type of concerto favoured in the Baroque period, commonly with three soloists and orchestra
Fusion
The blending of more than one musical style or culture to create a new ‘fused’ sound (e.g. Afro-Cuban) Genre A type of piece (e.g. opera, rock, concerto)
Gigue
The term covers both a fast Baroque dance and pieces suggestive of that dance (rather than necessarily intended for use in the dance). A gigue is normally in compound metre (such as 12/8)
Jazz
Originally a fusion of African and North American styles. A number of varieties of jazz have developed over time, including New Orleans, swing, bebop
March
Originally a march was for soldiers to march to – usually in 4/4 time, with regular and often repetitive rhythms. Now used for any piece of similar character designed, for example, for ceremonial or processional use
Musical theatre
Musical theatre integrates songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, within a popular idiom. ‘Musicals’ are extended pieces of musical theatre from which favourite songs are often performed separately
Oral tradition
Music learnt by listening and repeating, and passed on orally
Prelude
Especially in the Baroque period, an ‘introductory’ piece preceding (an)other piece(s). Later preludes are often just short stand-alone pieces
Rock
Emerged in the 1950s as ‘rock and roll’, and subsequently developed into a range of different popular styles
Samba
A dance characteristic of Brazil, but with its roots in Africa. Usually quick, with frequent use of the syncopated rhythm semiquaver-quaversemiquaver.
Sonata
A fairly extended composition, usually in three or four movements, with one or more (particularly the first) in sonata form. Many sonatas are for solo piano Suite A group of pieces, all or some of which are usually in Baroque or Classical dance styles