Part 19 (1/2)

_Binary form_--a form in two parts.

_Binary measure_--a measure having two beats.

_Bis_--twice. Used to indicate a repet.i.tion. (Rare.)

_Brace_--the sign used to join several staffs, showing that all tones represented on these staffs are to be performed together. The term is often used also in referring to the music written on staffs so joined; as--”Begin with the upper _brace_.”

_Broken chord_--a chord whose tones are not all sounded simultaneously, as _e.g._, in an accompaniment group.

_Broken octave_--an octave whose tones are sounded one at a time instead of simultaneously.

_Cacophony_--harsh, discordant, unpleasant, especially _incorrect_ combinations of tones. The opposite of _euphony_.

_Cadenza_--A brilliant pa.s.sage, usually in an instrumental composition, introduced just before the close of a movement. The _cadenza_ was formerly improvised by the performer, (thus giving an opportunity of displaying his technical skill), but since Beethoven, composers have usually written their own _cadenzas_.

_Cantabile_--in a singing style.

_Cantando_--same as _cantabile_.

_Canto_--the highest voice part; _i.e._, the soprano part.

Note the derivation of _canto_, _cantabile_, etc., from the Latin word _cantus_, meaning a _song_.

_Carol_--a hymn of joyful praise, usually sung in connection with Easter or Christmas festivities. The word _carol_ meant originally _a dance_, hence the _happy_ character of songs of this type.

_Catch_--a round set to humorous words.

_Chromatic_ (noun)--a term somewhat loosely applied to any tone not belonging to the key as indicated by the signature. Many teachers are replacing the word _chromatic_ in this sense with the term _intermediate tone_, this term being applicable whether the foreign tone is actually used for ornamental purposes as a _chromatic_, or to effect a modulation. Thus _e.g._, ”F[sharp] is the _intermediate tone_ between F and G in the key of C.”

_Clavichord_--an instrument with keys, resembling the square piano in appearance. The tone was produced by forcing wedge-shaped pieces of metal against the strings, thus setting them in vibration. The _clavichord_ was one of the immediate predecessors of the piano, much of the music written by Bach being composed for it, although this music is now played on the modern piano.

_Colla voce_--with the voice: _i.e._, play the accompaniment according to the soloist's performance rather than strictly according to the rhythm indicated in the score.

_Colla parte_--same as _colla voce_.

_Coloratura_--florid pa.s.sages in singing. Also applied to the style of singing employed in rendering such pa.s.sages. (See p. 76, Sec. 171.)

_Consonance_--A combination of tones agreeable to the ear and requiring no resolution to other tone-combinations in order to give the effect of finality. The major triad C--E--G is an example of a consonant chord.

_Contralto_--same as _alto_.

_Con variazioni_--with variations.

_Direct_--a sign ([direct symbol]) placed at the end of the last staff on a page, to indicate what the first note on the next page is going to be. This sign is now practically obsolete.

_Dirge_--a funeral chant. The dirge is named from the first word of a chant used in the ”office for the dead,” which begins--_Dirige Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam_ (Direct, O Lord, My G.o.d, my way in Thy sight).

_Discord_--an ugly, unharmonious combination of tones.