Home > Glossary > H

Glossary

OTHER | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

harmonia (Gr. Pl. harmoniai)

Greek SCALE or MODE having a certain OCTAVE SPECIES or configuration of INTERVALS, not unlike a PLAINCHANT mode. Harmoniae were sometimes ethnic names, such as Dorianand Lydian. See also TONOS. read more

harmonic

1 High thin tone produced by lightly touching the string, such as of a violin, at 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc., of its length. 2 Overtone, or partial, of a vibrating string or air column. read more

harmonics

The sounds heard together when a tone is produced by a vibrating string or air column, through its vibration in parts (two halves, then thirds etc);hence harmonics series. read more

harmony

The combination of tones to produced chords, and the relationship of successive chords; hence harmonics, harmonize. read more

hemiola (from gr. Hemiolios "one and a half")

Three beats against two in an equivalent amount of time, whether between voices or successive MEASURES, as in one measure of 3/2 against two measures of 3/4. read more

heterophony

A texture in which several different versions of the same melody are stated simultaneously; hence heterophony. read more

hexachord

1 Set of six pitches. 2 In medieval theory and practice, three types of hexachord were distinguished: according to whether the B was absent ("natural" hexachord, as in C-A); B was natural ("hard hexachord," as in G-E); or B was flat ("soft" hexachord, as in F-D with Bb) See also SOLMIZATION. read more

hocket (Lat. Hoquetus; Fr. Hoquet "hiccup")

1. Device of splitting a melodic line between two voices, or a composition based on this device. 2. A medieval technique of staggering rests and short phrases between two or more voices to give a "hiccup" effect. read more

homophony (homophonic)

1. Music in which the HARMONY is chordal and not made up of distinctive lines. 2. A texture in which the parts generally move together, a melody with accompanying chords; hence homophonic. read more

homorhythmic

Having the same RHYTHM, as when several voices sing the same syllables with the same durations. read more

humanism

Movement in the RENAISSANCE to revive ancient Greek and Roman culture. read more

hymn

A song of praise, usually in several stanzas, sung congregationally. read more

---

---