Glossary of musical terms: pastorale, phrase, pedal…
MUSIC HISTORY
Pastorale, phrase, period, pedal, polyphony, recitative: useful definitions for reading scores and phrasing with healthy technique.
Source Jean Mislin · Musicologist, organist and choral conductor · teacher of Adeline Toniutti As part of Adeline Toniutti's research
What is a glossary of musical terms?
A glossary of musical terms gathers words of analysis (phrase, period, pedal, polyphony, bridge, recitative) and of genres (pastorale, ostinato, passacaglia). For the singer, these landmarks link score reading, historical style and phrasing. The definitions below follow Jean Mislin's landmarks, alongside the main music history glossary.
Pastorale: rustic idyll and bucolic character
A pastorale means two related things. First, a short dramatic composition staging pastoral idylls among shepherds (heritage of early opera, as in the pastoral Act I of Orfeo). Second, an instrumental piece of bucolic character, evoking shepherds and rustic instruments. Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony expands the second sense. For the singer, pastoral style asks for clear line, simple phrasing and soft colour, without forcing the larynx.
Phrase and period: punctuating musical discourse
A phrase is a melodic line closed by a conclusive cadential rest, like a full stop in text. Phrase members are called periods. A period is a phrase member closed by a non-conclusive cadential rest (like a semicolon), or, broadly, a group of phrases. Motif, cell and theme organise these units: the theme rests on one or more motifs made of cells. In singing lessons, recognising phrase and period guides breath, support and sound direction.
Pedal, ostinato and non-chord tones
A pedal (pedal point) is a rhythmic, melodic or harmonic element held or stubbornly repeated whatever the harmonic context. In a large-scale fugue, the coda often rests on a tonic or dominant pedal. An ostinato (ground bass) is a harmonic, melodic or rhythmic formula repeated obstinately, usually in the bass; passacaglia and chaconne feed on it.
A non-chord tone is any note, transient or simultaneous, that does not belong to the real chord. Seven main types: appoggiatura, suspension, passing note, neighbour tone, échappée, anticipation, pedal (and added note). An ornament (appoggiatura, mordent, trill, turn) embellishes the line. These landmarks help the singer place dissonance and resolution without needless laryngeal tension.
Polyphony, bridge and recitative
Polyphony is the art of superimposing one or more voices according to the rules of counterpoint, which evolve by period. Polyrhythm means the absence of homorhythm between voices (horizontal, contrapuntal style). A bridge (transition) links two more important points of the discourse. Recitative, invented around the turn of the 17th century, is a free structure in declaimed (syllabic) style that recreates speech rhythm; in the Baroque era it is supported by basso continuo. See also the fugue and opera.
Other useful terms (quick landmarks)
- Partita: in the Baroque era, a set of variations, an instrumental suite, or a piece in general.
- Passacaglia: dance or variation form on a ground bass, close to the chaconne.
- Passion: composition on the Gospel texts of Christ's Passion (Holy Week).
- Register: average range of a voice; a tessitura subdivision with stable timbre; an organ stop.
- Resolution: melodic move of a dissonance toward a neighbouring consonant interval.
- Suspension: non-chord tone tied from a real tone of the previous chord.
- Ricercare: imitative contrapuntal instrumental piece, ancestor of the fugue.
- Theme: characteristic melodic, rhythmic or harmonic idea built from motifs and cells.
- Tonality: perception of pitches relative to a single conclusive final, real or virtual.
- Variation: presenting a motif or theme in a different form (melodic, harmonic, contrapuntal, character).
FAQ
FAQ on musical terms
What is the difference between phrase and period?
A phrase ends with a conclusive cadential rest (full stop); a period with a non-conclusive rest (semicolon), or means a group of phrases.
What is a pedal in music?
A rhythmic, melodic or harmonic element held or stubbornly repeated, independent of the harmonic context (often in the bass).
Is pastorale vocal or instrumental?
Both: a short rustic dramatic scene (shepherds) or an instrumental piece of bucolic character.
Why does this lexicon help singers?
Naming phrase, pedal or recitative clarifies breath, direction and style in rehearsal and singing lessons.
Sources and quotations
Landmarks and quotations for further reading.
- Jean Mislin: musicologist, organist and choral conductor, teacher of Adeline Toniutti. Notes used within Adeline Toniutti's research.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Link lexicon, phrasing and voice
Work on phrase, pedal and pastoral style with Adeline Toniutti's CALYP team.