Glossary
The glossary contains definitions and explanations of key terms and phrases used that may not be easily understood. In line with the aim of Lost in Music to make the music industry easier to navigate, we hope that these will aid your understanding of the cases. If there are other terms you spot that we have used that are not in the glossary but need further explanation, please contact one of the team.
writ
A written order issued by a court or legal body, usually requiring the recipient to refrain from doing something.
interval
In music an 'interval' is the word used to describe the distance between two notes. Thus, the distance between middle C and the next C is the interval of an octave.
causal
a causal connection is a connection that implies one event is a result of another. In the context of infringement, establishing a causal connection between the two musical works in question demonstrates conclusively that one was copied from the other.
contumelious
scornful or insulting behaviour
appogiatura
in music an appogiatura adds a note to a melody that causes a dissonance with the underlying chord, which is resolved by the melody moving down to the next door note, or occasionally up. The opening three notes of "Yesterday" are G, F, F. The note G is an appogiatura and is dissonant with the underlying chord of F major. It is resolved by the second note, an F, which is "consonant" with the chord.
oeuvres
in terms of the creative arts, "oeuvre" describes the entire body of work created by an individual artist or band
tonic
A term used in music to describe the 'root', or home key of a piece of music. The tonic key of The Beatles 'Hey Jude' is F major, and this is also the first chord of each verse and chorus. Other chords in a piece of music are described in terms of their relationship with the 'tonic key'. Thus, the second chord of the verse of Hey Jude is C major, which is known as the 'dominant' chord of F major .