Music GCSE
Music GCSE glossary
19 key terms for Music GCSE, A to Z, each linked to the topic pages that use it.
B
- Basso Continuo
- A continuous bass part providing the harmonic foundation, typically played by a cello and a chordal instrument like the harpsichord.Pearson Edexcel
- Bitonality
- The simultaneous use of two different keys or tonal centres.Pearson Edexcel
C
- Cadence
- A sequence of two chords that concludes a musical phrase, acting like punctuation (e.g., Perfect V-I, Imperfect I-V).Pearson Edexcel
- Colla Voce
- An instruction for the accompaniment to follow the rhythm and tempo of the solo singer.Pearson Edexcel
- Concerto Grosso
- A Baroque concerto for a group of soloists (concertino) and a larger ensemble (ripieno).Pearson Edexcel
D
- Dissonance
- A combination of notes that sound harsh or unstable when played together, creating musical tension.Pearson Edexcel
F
- Fugue
- A contrapuntal composition based on a main theme (the subject) which is introduced and then imitated by other voices.Pearson Edexcel
I
- Inverted Pedal
- A sustained or repeated note placed in a high register, above the melody and harmony.Pearson Edexcel
L
- Leitmotif
- A short, recurring musical phrase associated with a particular person, place, or idea.Pearson Edexcel
M
- Melody-dominated homophony
- A musical texture consisting of a clear melody line supported by chordal accompaniment.Pearson Edexcel
- Modulation
- The process of changing from one key (tonality) to another.Pearson Edexcel
O
- Ostinato
- A short, persistently repeated melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern.Pearson Edexcel
P
- Polyphonic
- A texture consisting of two or more independent, equally important melodic lines playing simultaneously.Pearson Edexcel
- Polyphonic / Contrapuntal
- A texture consisting of two or more independent melodic lines of equal importance sounding simultaneously.Pearson Edexcel
- Polyphonic Texture
- A musical texture consisting of two or more independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously.Pearson Edexcel
Q
- Quartal Harmony
- Chords built by stacking intervals of a fourth, rather than the traditional thirds.Pearson Edexcel
S
- Sequence
- The immediate repetition of a melodic or harmonic phrase at a higher or lower pitch.Pearson Edexcel
- Syncopation
- Placing the rhythmic accent or emphasis on a weak beat or off-beat.Pearson Edexcel
T
- Terraced Dynamics
- Abrupt shifts in volume from loud to soft, characteristic of Baroque music, achieved by adding or removing instruments.Pearson Edexcel
Where these terms come from
Each definition is one we publish on a Music GCSE topic page or study guide. Open a term to see how each exam board words it and which topic it belongs to. For the full course, go to Music revision or the glossary for every subject.
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