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Glossary

Authentic Cadence:  A cadence that resolves V or V7 to tonic.

Cadence:  A harmonic and rhythmic object that signals the end of a phrase, period, section, movement.  It is usually a place of rest, a resolution of tension. 

Diatonic: Pertaining to a key.  Diatonic notes are those that belong to the key, diatonic chords are those built with these notes.

Dissonant: Not consonant.  Historically, the dissonant intervals are seconds, augmented fourth/diminished fifth, sevenths, and the compounds of these.

Dominant: The fifth degree of the scale and the chord built on that degree.  Roman Numeral V.

Resolution: The resolving of dissonance to consonance.

Ritornello Form: Form usually associated with first movement concerto form. ABACA where A is called the ritornello and it alternates with the solo sections.

Secondary Dominant: A chord that functions as the dominant (V or vii°) of a note other than the prevailing tonic.

Tonic: The primary note of the key (in A major, tonic is A).  The first degree of the scale and the chord built on that degree.