This melody features four phrases, each of which ends in a cadence. The resting places, or cadences, after the first and third phrases are inconclusive (like a comma in a sentence); those after the second and fourth phrases sound final (like a period closing a sentence).

Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 9, fourth movement, "Ode to Joy"

Type of polyphonic composition in which one musical line strictly imitates another at a fixed distance throughout.

In this instrumental canon, the double bass presents a melody that is imitated exactly by the bassoon at a fixed distance in time.

Example: Mahler, Symphony No. 1 (Titan), third movement

See violoncello.

The cello is noted for its dark resonance and singing quality.

A group of singers who perform together, usually in parts, with several on each part; often associated with a church.

This example features an unaccompanied (a cappella) chorus singing Latin-texted church music.

Example: Josquin, Tu solus qui facis

Simultaneous combination of three or more tones that constitute a single block of harmony.

In this example, the melody is accompanied by repeated chords, or blocks of harmony (each made up of three tones).

Example: Chopin, Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4

Fairly large group of singers who perform together, usually with several on each part. Also a choral movement of a large-scale work. In jazz, a single statement of the melodic-harmonic pattern.

In this example, the four-part chorus (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) is heard with orchestra.

Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 9, fourth movement, "Ode to Joy"

Choruses can be restricted to either men's or women's voices. In early times, church music, including Gregorian chant, was traditionally sung by a men's chorus, as heard here.

Example: Gregorian chant, "Kyrie eleison"

Melody or harmony built from many if not all twelve semitones of the octave. A chromatic scale consists of an ascending or descending sequence of semitones.

This winding melody makes use of many half steps from the chromatic scale.

Example: Bach, Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor, Fugue theme

The wooden clarinet produces sound via a single reed, a small, thin piece of cane attached to its mouthpiece.

This example demonstrates its smooth, liquid sound.

Example: Ravel, Boléro

Smooth, connected melody that moves principally by small intervals.

This joyful tune moves in small, connected intervals (mostly seconds), making it conjunct.

Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 9, fourth movement, "Ode to Joy"

Concordant or harmonious combination of tones that provides a sense of relaxation and stability in music.

This majestic passage is harmonious, or consonant, providing a sense of stability in the music.

Example: Brahms, Symphony No. 1, fourth movement

Contrast of musical materials sustains our interest and feeds our love of change; it provides variety to a form.

In this example, the first musical idea (heard twice at a fast tempo) is balanced by a contrasting idea, which is also repeated.

Example: Corelli, Suite for Strings, "Badinerie"

An accompanying melody sounded against the principal melody.

In this famous march, we hear the high piccolos playing a countermelody against the main melody.

Example: Sousa, The Stars and Stripes Forever, Trio

The dynamic effect of gradually growing louder, indicated in the musical score by the marking "<."

This energetic theme is repeated in various combinations of instruments as the dynamic level gradually grows from p (piano, or soft) to ff (fortissimo, or very loud).

Example: Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 (Italian), fourth movement

Cymbals are two circular brass plates of equal size, which when struck together produce a shattering sound, as heard in this example.

Example: F.J. Wagner, Under the Double Eagle