harmony

• Major


  The music sounds in a major key - bright and happy sounding
• Minor


  The music sounds in a minor key - sad and dull sounding
• Chord


  Two or more notes played together
• Chord change 


  Moving from one chord to a different chord
• Discord


  A chord which certain notes clash producing an unpleasant sound
• Vamp 


  A rhythmic accompaniment with a bass note played on the strong beat and a chord played off the beat
• Contrary motion 


  Two parts moving in opposite direction's

  Eg one ascending, one descending
• Countermelody 


  A melody played against the main melody
• Descant 


  Another melody above the main tune, mainly in vocal music
• Pedal


  A note which is held or repeated continuously in the bass part while the harmony changes over it
• Inverted pedal 


  A note which is held or repeated continuously in the upper part while the harmony changes below it
• Modulation 


  A change of key
• Change of key


  Moving from one key to another
• Perfect cadence 


  2 chords at the end of a phrase

  Chord V to chord I - the dominant to the tonic
• Imperfect cadence 


  2 chords at the end of a phrase

  Chord I to V - the tonic to the dominant. The cadence has a unfinished feel
• Drone 


  One note held or repeated in the bass.

  Commonly found on a bagpipe