Glossary

p
Abbreviation of 'Piano', the Italian for 'softly'
Parallel motion
The movement of two or more parts in the same direction (up or down) in pitch, whilst keeping the same interval between them
Part
A distinct musical line performed by a particular instrument or voice an a given piece of music
Part-Song
A strophic song for several voices, where several singers sing each part. Generally, the top part will have the melody. Famous composers of Part-Songs include Sir Edward Elgar
Partita
In the 17th century, this meant a variation of a theme, but in the 18th century it referred to a suite
Pasodoble
A fast, modern Spanish dance in 2/4 time
Passacaglia
A type of slow, stately dance common in the 17th century keyboard suite. It is a set of variations on the bass line (most variations are on the melody). Usually in triple time.
Passage
A section of a piece of music
Passing Note
A note which forms a discord with the notes with which it is played, but which moves melodically to a concord
Pastiche
A piece of music written in the stlye of another famous piece or composer
Pastorale
An instrumental piece in 6/8 or 12/8 time, with long, repeated notes in the bass part imitating a drone
Patter Song
A fast song, popular in Opera and particularly light Opera such as the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, in the which the lyrics are sung very fast and are often very difficult tongue-twisters
Pause
Literally, a pause in the music, either on a note or a rest, where the music waits for a moment
Pavan
A slow, stately dance in duple time, often followed by the more sprightly Galliard
Perfect Cadence
See 'Cadence'
Perfect Interval
The perfect intervals are the fourth, the fifth and the octave
Perfect Pitch
The ability in a person to pick out and identify a given note correctly without the aid of or reference to a musical instrument and without first hearing any other notes
Pesante
Italian for 'heavy' or 'ponderous'
Phrase
A group of notes forming part of a melody, usually quite short. Also the act of forming a musical line with a sense of cohesion, rather like a 'phrase' spoken in a sentence
Pianissimo
Italian for 'very softly', abbreviated 'pp'
Piano
Italian for 'softly', abbreviated 'p'
Picardy Third
See 'Tierce de Picardie'
Pizzicato/Pizz.
Italian term directing a string player to pluck the strings with the fingers rather than play them with the bow. Opposite of 'Arco'
Plagal Cadence
See 'Cadence'
Plainsong/Plainchant
A Medieval form of Church music, consisting of a single unaccompanied vocal line with religious text (usually in Latin), sung to a free rhythm rather like that of speech. Gregorian Chant is the most well-known type of Plainsong
Polka
A fairly fast Bohemian dance in 2/4 time
Polonaise
A stately Polish dance in 3/4 time
Polychoral
Music which uses two or more separate choirs simultaneously
Polyphony
A compositional technique prevalent in the Renaissance, in which each voice or part has equal importance. Examples of different types of polyphony include the Motet, the Canon and the Fugue. Famous composers include Palestrina, Gibbons, Tallis and Byrd
Polyrhythm
The use of several different rhythms occurring simultaneously, common in 20th century music
Polytonal
Music which uses two or more keys simultaneously, common in 20th century music. Where only two keys are used, the music is described as being Bitonal
pp
Abbreviation of Italian 'Pianissimo', meaning 'very softly'
Prelude
An introductory movement before a Fugue, an act in an Opera or play. Was also sometimes used to describe single, independent pieces of music in a similar style
Preparation
At the moment in a piece just before a discord occurs, the discord is sometimes 'prepared' by using the discordant note and holding it while the chord is played, thus softening the effect of the discord
Presto
Italian for 'very fast'
Principal
In an orchestra, the leading player of each section of instruments, and in Opera, the singer who performs the main parts
Programme Music
Music which conveys or describes a story, emotion, picture or other non-musical idea. The opposite of 'Absolute Music'