C
C: The key of C.
C Clef: A clef that indicates which line represents C on a staff,
as opposed to a G clef,
or an F clef.
Cabalistic Numerological Symbolism: A method of inbedding hidden messages
in music, by using a code of numbers based on which notes are used, their durations,
arrangement, subdivision, etc--whereby the composer made symbolic referrence
to specific persons, places, or things and/or events in some way associated
with the music.
Cacophony: A discordant or dissonant sound.
Cadence: A cadence is a progression of chords that lead from a point of harmonic tension to a point of harmonic
rest. This progression of tension to release often occurs at the end of
musical phrases, sections and particularly at the end of many pieces. The most
common cadences involve V-I (Authentic Cadence) and IV-I (Plagal Cadence) chord
progressions.
Cadenza: An extended solo passage, usually near the end of a piece,
improvised by the performer, or sometimes written out by the composer. See Fermata.
Cambiata: In counterpoint,
a nonharmonic tone inserted between a dissonant and its resolution.
Camera: Secular chamber music, as opposed to church music, or chiesa.
Camerata: Small art or music schools dating from the 16th century.
Cancel: A natural sign, used to remove a previously applied accidental.
Cannon: "Rule". In counterpoint,
a melody that is repeated exactly by a different voice, entering a short interval
after the original voice.
Cantata: "Sung". A multi-movement vocal work for concert or church performance
by a choir, sometimes soloists, and an instrumental ensemble.
Canticle: A non-metrical hymn or song.
Canto Fermo: A cantus firmus.
Cantus Firmus: "Fixed Song". A pre-existing melody, used as the foundation
for a polyphonic work. Used in counterpoint,
Canti Firmus were usually based on ecclesiatical chant.
Canzona: A song, or ballad,
or "in the style of a song".
Capellmeister: Kapellmeister.
Cappella: See a cappella.
Cello: In the violin family, the tenor instrument, played while held between the knees.
Chamber Music: Music for small ensemble.
Chanson: A song, usually secular. This term is usually applied to works
composed during the Medieval and Renaissance periods, though many twentieth-century composers have also applied the term
to their own works.
Chiesa: "Church". Church music, as opposed to chamber
music, or camera.
Chorale: A German Lutheran hymn tune.
Chord: A set of notes, usually three or four, played simultaniously--usually
containing a root,
and other tones which have a tonal relationship to that root.
Chordal: A form of music in which a single melody is accompanied by
sets of chords, rather than a competing counter-melody.
Also see homophony
Chromatic: Motion by half steps; or pitches used outside of the diatonic scale in which they normally occur.
Classical: 1) A stylistic musical time period that has been said to
have begun when J.S. Bach died and ended when Ludwig Van Beethoven died which
places it 1750 to the 1827. 2) Music of this style is characterized by more
rigidly defined musical forms, increased attention to instrumental music, and
the symphonic form. Term refers to Classical Greek architecture that was popular at the same
time. In the same way, Baroque (Fr. bizzare) refers to the style of architecture popular during the
17th and 18 centuries.
Clef: The symbol used at the beginning of a staff to indicate which lines and spaces represent which notes. In modern practice,
only three clefs are commonly used, the G clef or treble
clef, the bass clef or bass clef,
and the C clef, when used as an alto clef.
Close Harmony: A voicing technique in which all the parts involved remain
as close together as the chords allow, often within a single octave.
Clusters: Groups of notes that are the interval of a second apart from
one another.
Coloratura: "Coloring". Elaborate coloration of the melodic line, usually
by a vocalist.
Comic Opera: An opera with light-natured music, comedy, and a happy ending. In contrast to grand opera.
Common Chord: A chord composed of a root, third,
and fifth.
Common Tone: A note that remains the same between two different chords.
Compound Interval: An interval greater than an octave,
such as a ninth,
or eleventh.
Concert: A public performance of music.
Concertante: A piece for two or more instruments with orchestral accompaniment.
Concerto: A piece for soloist(s) and orchestra.
Consequent: The second phrase in a musical period, in a fugue, the answer.
Consonance: Sounds that are in agreement in terms of physical generation
of sound; i.e. sounds found in the harmonic
series of a pitch being harmonized, in contrast to dissonant.
Consort: A Renaissance chamber group.
Continuo: Same as basso
continuo.
Counter-Melody:Second melody that is is constructed with a relationship
to primary melody. See also counterpoint and polyphony.
Counterpoint: The combination of two or more melodic lines played one
against another. A horizontal structure built upon competing melodic lines,
rather than a chordal setting.
Countertenor: "Against the tenor".
The highest male singing voice, above tenor.
Contrafact, Contrafacta, Contrafactum: In vocal music this refers to same music with different lyrics, e.g., Greensleeves and What Child Is This. In a jazz instrumental context this refers to tunes that use the same chord progression and form but a new melody is applied. Examples; Prince Albert is a contrafacta of All The Things You Are, Oleo and Cottontail are contrafacta of I Got Rhythm.
Crab Cannon: A contrapuntal piece in which one part is identical to another, but backwards.
Crecendo: A gradual increase in volume.
Credo: "I believe". In the Mass, the third part of the ordinary. The Creed.
