Keywords and Possible Answers

GCSE Keywords and Possible Answers

Certain words and areas of study have a set of possible answers associated with them.

If you can remember the possible answers, you improve your chance of getting the question right.

Keyword	Possible Answers
Rhythm or Rhythmic Device	Note values, call and response, syncopation, cross rhythms, bi-rhythms, polyrhythms, dotted rhythms, riffs, augmentation, diminution and hemiola.
Note Values	Semibreve, minim, crotchet, quaver and semiquaver.
Metre	Tempo and Time Signature
Tempo	Slow, Medium, Fast – Largo, Moderato and Allegro. Rubato and accelerando.
Harmony	Consonant, Dissonant, Chromatic, Diatonic, Chord Progressions and Cadences.
Cadences	Perfect, Imperfect, Plagal and Interrupted.
Tonailty	Major and Minor Key Signatures and Modulation
Modulation	Relative minor, Subdominant and Dominant
Texture	Monophonic, Homophonic, Polyphonic, Melody and Accompaniment, Canonic, Imitative, Call and Response, Antiphonal and Layered.
Melody	Ascending, descending, scales, melodic devices, intervals, inversion, sequence, improvisation, articulation and phrasing.
Scales	Major, minor, pentatonic, blues, modal, chromatic and wholetone.
Melodic Devices	Trills, Mordents, Acciaccaturas, Glissando, Pitch Bend and passing notes.
Intervals	Minor 2nd, 2nd, Minor 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, Minor 7th, 7th and 8ve.
Articulation and Phrasing	Phrase marks, staccato and legato.
Dynamics	Very quiet, quiet, quite quiet, quite loud, loud, very loud, getting louder, getting quieter, suddenly loud. Pianissimo, piano, metzo piano, metzo forte, forte, fortissimo, crescendo, diminuendo, sforzando. pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, sfz
Timbre	Groups of instruments, instrumental techniques, vocal techniques and effects.
Groups of Instruments	Solo, duets, trios, quartets, quintets etc. Orchestra, pop band, choir (male, female, mixed) Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Concerto and Sonata.
Instrumental and Playing Techniques	Con Arco, Pizzicato, Con Sordino (with a mute), rimshot, flutter tounging, tremolo, vibrato, slap bass, plucking and brushes.
Vocal Techniques	Falsetto, vibrato and head voice.
Effects	Reverb, distortion, echo and delay.
Strings	Violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Woodwind	Flute, recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone.
Brass	Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn and Tuba
Percussion	Timpani, Drum Kit, Snare Drum
World Music Instruments	African – Djembe, Mbira Indian – Sitar, Tabla and Dhol Caribbean – Steel Pans