Composer Profile - Activefolio

Glossary 159
spiritual Sung by African-Americans and others, this is a traditional, devotional
genre of the United States.
sprechstimme This vocal style, developed by Arnold Schoenberg, is characterized
by spoken melody at inexact pitches rather than true singing on specific pitches.
statement See exposition.
string bass Lowest pitched member of the violin family (see double bass).
string family All instruments in this family are plucked or bowed. Sound is created
by vibrations of one or all strings. Includes instruments such as the violin, viola,
cello, bass, guitar and harp.
string quartet Chamber music string ensemble comprised of two violins, one viola
and one cello. It could also refer to the title of a piece composed for this group
of players.
strophic form A compositional style that uses the same music for every stanza of a
poem.
style How the elements of music are composed and presented such as melodies,
harmonies, rhythms, forms, tempos and dynamics.
subject Refers to the main theme or idea of a fugue.
suite Multiple-movement composition that combines contrasting dance movements
typically all in one key.
swing music Term given to dance music of the 1930s and 1940s, often used
interchangeably with “big band” music. Characterized by moderate to fast beat
in duple meter with lilting, dotted rhythms.
symphonic poem One movement, free form piece for orchestra that may be
programmatic and used to describe a scene or setting. First used in the Romantic
period. Also called tone poem.
symphony Large orchestral work normally in four movements.
syncopation A rhythmic practice of stressing some or all of the weak beats in a
measure, to achieve a deceptive rhythmic effect.
synthesizer Any electronic instrument that produces and modifies sounds with
sound generators and amplification.
tambourine A small percussion instrument consisting of a round drum with one
head and tiny metal plates attached around the drum, which is struck or shaken.
tempo How fast or slow a piece of music is.
tempo scheme One tempo per movement of a piece such as fast-slow-fast for a
three-movement concerto.
tenor Male voice of a fairly high range.
tenor drum A medium sized percussion instrument, similar but larger than the
snare drum.
ternary form Three part form (A-B-A), founded on the idea of statement,
contrasting material and restatement.
texture The relationship of harmonic and melodic musical elements.