Page 236 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: The Arts, 2010

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | The Arts
major interval. The distance between two notes within the major scale, measured from the first note of a major scale; that is, the major second, major third, major sixth, and major seventh (e.g., the interval F–G is a major second, and C–E is a major third).
major scale. A stepwise series of eight notes composed of whole steps and half steps in the following sequence – whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. In this pattern, a major interval occurs between the first note of the scale and each of the second, the third, the sixth, and the seventh notes of the scale.
See also minor scales; scale. measure. See bar.
melodic dictation. A process in which the teacher performs a melodic pattern and the students write it in musical notation after listening to it.
melody. An aspect of the element called pitch. A succession of sounds (pitches) and silences moving through time. Melodies can be thought of as movement in sound by repetition of a pitch, by step, and by skip, or as movement by a series of intervals (unison, step, skip, leap).
metre. An aspect of the element called duration. The grouping of beats in music using time signatures. Metres are typically simple (e.g., 24, 34, 4), compound (e.g., 68, 64, 98), and irregular (e.g., 54). Duple metres have two main beats in a bar (e.g., 24, 68, 64). Triple metres have three main beats in a bar (e.g., 34, 98).
minor interval. (1) The distance between two notes within the minor scale, measured from the first note of a minor scale; that is, the minor third, minor sixth, and minor seventh (e.g., a minor sixth is A–F). (2) Any interval that is
one half step (or semitone) smaller than a
major interval (e.g., a major second is C–D, but the minor second is C–D♭).
minor scales. (1) In the natural minor, there is a stepwise series of eight notes composed of whole steps and half steps in the following sequence – whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half, whole. In this pattern, a minor interval
occurs between the first note of the scale and each of the third, the sixth, and the seventh notes of the scale. (2) In the harmonic minor, the seventh note is raised. (3) In the melodic minor, the sixth and seventh notes are raised going up the scale, and are lowered going down (lowered to the same pitches as those in the natural minor). Common to all three minor scales, ascending and descending, is the minor interval between the first note and the third. See also major scale; scale.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface).
The technical standard that allows the software and hardware of a computer to communicate with a synthesizer or keyboard. MIDI is most commonly used with sequencing and/or record- ing software, as well as notation software.
See also notation software.
modes. Types of scales that are commonly used in jazz, folk traditions, Gregorian chant, and music of various cultures. Although the names of the modes have their basis in ancient Greek musical theory, which was transmitted through the Middle Ages, they are still used to describe a variety of basically diatonic scale structures. The most commonly used modes are ionian, dorian, phrygian, and mixolydian.
monophony (monophonic music). Music consisting of a single melodic line with no accompaniment. It can be performed by one person (a solo) or by several in unison (e.g., a unison chorus).
motif. A dominant, recurring aspect of a musical theme.
movement. A relatively independent segment of a larger work that is found in such works as sonatas, symphonies, and concertos.
musical literacy. The ability to understand and use the variety of ways in which meaning is communicated through music, including use
of the elements, aural skills (in listening and performing), reading and writing skills (use of notation, symbols, terminology), and interpreta- tive performance skills.
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