R

Raga

Type of scale or pattern of notes found in Indian music. A raga consists of an unchangeable series of notes when as an ascending and descending pattern with some notes used only when ascending and others only when descending. These ragas are often (although less so these days) associated with both mood and particular times of day or year and with certain ceremonial occasions.

Range

Usually refers to the distance between the lowest and highest note of an instrument or voice e.g. an oboe has a range between Bb below middle C or the G which is 2½ octaves above middle C.

Rap

Contemporary vocal style where the lyrics are spoken in rhythm against an accompaniment. Rap can occasionally involve pitch.

Reflection

Usually refers to the 'mirror-image' of a melody i.e. if in the original the notes goes up by three steps, when 'reflected' it will go down three steps etc.

Refrain

The part of a song which regularly recurs after each verse. Usually refers to both words and music.

Reggae

Rhythmic music indigenous to the black culture of Jamaica. It is a highly influenced style and genre and includes references to African religious, Christian block revival songs, drum music and liturgical music of the Rastafarian sect. Words are usually about contemporary issues, both gossip and political comment. Most well-known exponents included Bob Marley and the Wailers and Shabba Ranks.

Rest

Notation which indicates a period of silence of a specific duration.

Reversed

Usually refers to a phrase of music which has been turned around - like being played backwards.

Rhythmic Complex

System of grids (sometimes known as grid notation) which help to notate rhythms and rhythmic patterns.

Rhythm Names

Often refers to French time (or duration) names such as

ta-fa-te-fe etc.

Rising pitch

Notes moving generally in an upward direction.

Roll (drum roll)

Rapid succession of notes on a drum resulting in an almost continuous sound.

Round

Short (usually unaccompanied) vocal 'canon' in which each voice usually enters 'a' turn, either at the same pitch or at the octave. Popular in England after the 16, examples being Three Blind Mice, London's burning and Frere Jacques.

Rondo

The form or structure of a piece of music in several sections where the first tune (or A) keeps returning and is sandwiched between other, different, sections, i.e. ABACADA etc.