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parody mass

Imitation mass. read more

part 1

The written music for a performer or performing section in an ensemble, e.g. the violin part. 2 In polyphonic music a "strand", line or voice, e.g. two-part harmony, four-part counterpoint; hence part-writing, part-song, a song for several parts. read more

partbook

Volume, particularly printed, containing the music for a single vocal or instrumental part of a POLYPHONIC ensemble. read more

partita

Originally a set of variations. By the high baroque period, the term had come to be synonymous with "suite". read more

passacaglia (It, Sp. Passecalle, Fr. Passecaille)

1 Pattern of guitar CHORDS played before and between strophes of a song. 2 Pattern of pitches usually serving as a foundation for a HARMONY. read more

passing tone

A tone, foreign to the harmony with which it sounds, linking by step two tones that are (normally) part of the harmony. read more

Passion

An extended oratorio-like setting of the story of the crucifixion. read more

pastoral

Poetic genre to which the early OPERA LIBRETTOS, such as Euridice of 1600, belonged. read more

pavan

A slow, stately sixteenth-and early seventeenth-century court dance in duple meter, often paired with a GALLIARD; also paving. read more

pavane, pavana, paduana

Slow, stately dance in duple METER, often followed by a GALLIARD. read more

pedal organ

The keyboard of an organ or harpsichord that is played with the feet. It operates the lowest notes of the instrument. By extension, the term "pedal" has come to mean a long, held note in the bass, even in piano music, where it has to be held by the hands alone. read more

pedal point

A sustained tone, usually in the bass, round or above which the other parts proceed. read more

pedalboard

A keyboard (e.g. on an organ) played by the feet. read more

pedalling

In piano music, the term refers to the use of the sustaining (right-hand) pedal to enrich the overall harmony of a passage, or to join parts of a musical phrase which would otherwise be disconnected when the hands change position. In organ music, it refers to the use of the pedal-organ. read more

pentatonic

A term used for a mode or scale consisting of only five tones. read more

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