H: 1. In the German musical system, B natural, or the key of B natural. 2. "Hoboken", the cataloguer of Haydn's works; H numbers are used instead of opus numbers for the works of Haydn.

Half-Cadence: A cadence that ends on the dominant instead of the tonic. Also called an imperfect cadence.

Half-Step: The smallest interval that is commonly used in Western music. There are 12 half-steps in an octave.

Harmonic Progression: The movement from one chord to another, usually in terms of their function.

Harmonic Series: A series of notes produced above the fundamental (the series includes the fundamental) which fall in the overtones of that pitch.

Harmony: 1. The study of progression, structure, and relationships of chords. 2. When pitches are in agreement, or consonance.

Head Voice: The upper register of the singing voice.

Heldentenor: A heroic tenor with a strong, robust singing voice.

Hemitonium: A half-step.

Heterophony: The simultanious performance of two slightly different melodies.

Homophony: Having a single, accompanied, melodic line in which one voice has the melody, performed with a chordal accompaniment.

Hymn: A Song, often a chorale, written in praise of God, or for a religious congregation.

Last updated: 3/6/2023