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The use of modes (Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, etc.) as a basis for harmony instead of the later tonal system. Examples: The mode-based pieces of Gregorian chant, such as 'Salve Regina', and the modal madrigals of Carlo Gesualdo.

A compositional technique involving the interweaving of independent melodies. Examples: The use of imitation in Josquin's 'Missa Pange lingua', the complex counterpoint in Bach's 'Fugue in G minor'.

A musical technique that reflects the literal meaning of the song lyrics with the music. Examples: The descending scales on 'down' in John Dowland's 'Flow My Tears', the running notes on the word 'running' in Thomas Morley's 'Now is the Month of Maying'.

A French secular song, usually polyphonic, that was popular in the Renaissance. Examples: Claude Le Jeune's 'Revecy venir du printans', Josquin des Prez's 'Mille Regretz'.

A texture where multiple voices move together in harmony, with one leading melody and accompanying chords. Examples: The chordal sections in Thomas Tallis's 'If Ye Love Me', some parts of Monteverdi's 'Orfeo'.

A secular vocal composition, originating from Italy, that expresses the emotion contained in the text. Examples: Thomas Weelkes's 'As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending', Carlo Gesualdo's 'Moro, lasso, al mio duolo'.

A vocal composition with a sacred Latin text, often polyphonic in style. Examples: Josquin des Prez's 'Ave Maria... virgo serena', Palestrina's 'Sicut Cervus'.

A form of sacred musical composition that sets the liturgical text of the Eucharist to music. Examples: Palestrina's 'Pope Marcellus Mass', Tomas Luis de Victoria's 'O Magnum Mysterium'.

A musical technique where a melody is echoed and imitated by other voices or instruments at different intervals. Examples: Canon at the beginning of Palestrina's 'Missa Papae Marcelli', the imitation in Orlando di Lasso's 'Prophetiae Sibyllarum'.

The musical notation system used during the Renaissance period that introduced the concept of measured rhythm with different note durations. Examples: The works of Guillaume Dufay and Johannes Ockeghem.

Instrumental compositions that were designed for dancing, often with a repeating structure. Examples: Pavans, galliards, and branles as found in Michael Praetorius's 'Terpsichore'.

An early form of musical notation which the Renaissance built upon. Examples: The notations found in medieval manuscripts like the Graduale Romanum, which influenced the development of modern music notation.

A texture consisting of multiple, independent melodic voices. Examples: The rich polyphony in Josquin des Prez's 'Missa L'homme armé sexti toni', the intricate layers in Tallis's 'Spem in alium'.

Choral music performed without instrumental accompaniment. Examples: Most motets and masses during the Renaissance period, such as Palestrina's 'Sicut Cervus'.