G: The key of G.
G Clef: A clef that indicates which
line represents G on a staff, as opposed to a C
clef, or an F clef.
Gallant: an 18th century compositional style that was light, elegant, non-contrapuntal, and highly ornamented.
German Sixth Chord: An augmented sixth chord,
which contains a flat third from the tonic.
Glissando: Gliss. The rapid scale achieved by sliding the nail of the thumb or
third finger over the white keys of the piano. Glissando is commonly
used in playing the harp. For bowed instruments glissando indicates a
flowing, unaccented playing of a passage.
Golden
Section: A mathematical proportion where the
ratio between a small section and a larger section is equal to the
ratio between the larger section and both sections put together. Used
by many 20th century composers, especially Bela Bartok, to determine
the point of climax for a given work.
Grace
Note: A note, or notes that are played
quickly, usually before the beat. See ornaments.
Grand Opera: Opera on a large scale, usually
entirely sung, in contrast to comic
opera.
Grand
Staff: The combination of a staff line notated
in treble clef with
one notated in bass clef.
Used primarily in scoring for piano, and other keyboard instruments,
this staff is also sometimes
used to score vocal works, such as hymns.
Gregorian
Chant: A body of chants of the Roman Catholic
Church, most of which are part of two liturgical rites, the Mass and
the Offices. Origins traditionally are
ascribed to the period of Pope Gregory I (590-604).
Guitar: A string instrument from Spain, with a large, flat-backed sound box, violin-like curved shape, a fretted neck, and six strings. |
