A. Unison
B. Arpeggiation
C. Stepwise
D. Staccato
Can you also help me understand what the answer choices and the question mean? I believe stepwise means that the notes move from one place to another. Like they don’t jump spaces. Unison means that two notes are played at once, correct? If not please correct me. I am taking a music class and I think I might just be musically challenged. Music just isn’t my thing.
2 Answers
-
>> Can you also help me understand what the answer choices and the question mean?
The question itself is vague. A “second” can be major, minor, diminished, or augmented. So that means 2, 1, 0, and 3 semitones (i.e. half steps), respectively. Major and minor seconds are the usual kinds of seconds, though.
A perfect unison is an interval that results in the same note. A diminished second results in the same two pitches as a unison, but it isn’t technically the same thing. For example, B to C flat is a diminished second while B to B is a unison. Even though C flat and B are the same pitch, they are different notes. In the same way, a diminished second and a perfect unison are not the same thing. Using this logic, you can say that a unison is never the same thing as a second, thus A cannot be the answer.
Arpeggiation occurs when you play the notes of a chord rapidly in succession. This answer has nothing to do with the question.
Staccato is hitting a note briefly without letting it sustain. This answer has nothing to do with the question.
That leaves stepwise. A major second is a whole step. A minor second is a half step. I think that makes C the best answer.
> Unison means that two notes are played at once, correct?
No. A unison is a kind of interval. An interval refers to the difference in pitch between notes. If there is no distance and the note names are the same, you have a perfect unison. The first two notes of “Happy Birthday” are a unison apart. (That is to say, they are the same note.)
-
This question is flawed (but I know that’s not your fault!), but the answer is C. Stepwise. When you play a major scale, the interval between each note (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C) is a 2nd. So, although this question doesn’t account for minor scales, the simple answer is still “stepwise”.
“Unison” simply means that something is played or sung at the same time, on the same notes.
“Arpeggiation” is a 4-note chord played note by note instead of in unison. For instance, a C arpeggio would be C-E-G-C.
“Staccato” means to play (or sing) the notes in a very short, detached manner. No holding the note out.
Source(s): professional musician
