Pitch
Definition
The relative highness and lowness of sounds.
Description
Pitch refers to the relative highness and lowness of sounds. Important aspects include high, low, higher and lower pitches, direction of pitch movement, melody, harmony, definite and indefinite pitch.
Pitch Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bass Line | Generally the lowest pitched musical instrument in an arrangement, often determining the harmonic structure of a song. |
| Cadence | Chord progression of at least 2 chords that ends a phrase, section, or piece of music, creating a sense of full or partial resolution. |
| Chords | When two or more notes are sounded together. |
| Counter Melody | An secondary, alternate melody to the main melody of a piece. |
| Drones | Long notes that provide a tonal foundation for melodies to be played against. |
| Harmonic Rhythm | The rhythm and speed of the changing chords. |
| Harmony | Refers to the vertical arrangement of pitches. When two or more notes are sounded together. |
| Intervals | Difference in pitch between two sounds |
| Melodic Contour | The shape of a melody. |
| Melody | Refers to the horizontal movement of pitches and most prominent tune of a piece, either instrumental or vocal. |
| Phrasing | The dividing of a melody into small sections. |
| Range | The distance between the lowest and highest notes. |
| Register | A part of the range of an instrument or voice. |
| Riff | A repeated rhythmic and melodic pattern. |
| Sequence | The repetition of a phrase at a higher or lower pitch. |
| Tonality | Refers to the quality of a key or scale used. Eg. Major/Minor |