Essentials of Music

ONLINE GLOSSARY

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quadrivium Subdivision of the seven liberal arts; includes the mathematical subjects of music, arithmetic, geometry and astronomy.

quadruple meter Basic metrical pattern of four beats to a measure; also common time.

Example: Beethoven, Symphony No.9, fourth movement "Ode to Joy"
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Quadruple meter gives this famous melody a broad feeling; it has four beats to the measure (with the primary accent on the first beat, and a secondary accent on the third beat).

quadruple stop Playing four notes simultaneously on a string instrument.

quadruplum Fourth voice of a polyphonic work.

quartal harmony Harmony based on the interval of the fourth as opposed to a third; used in twentieth century music.

quotation music Music that parodies another work or works, presenting them in a new style or guise.

Click on a letter above to look up terms in the online glossary