Anstieg : A harmonized linear ascent to the primary tone [Kopfton], the initial tone of the Fundamental line [Urlinie].

Closure: As employed here, this term refers to the completion of harmonic motion to the tonic (harmonic closure) in conjunction with descent of the fundamental line to scale degree one (melodic closure). Closure can occur at different levels, but normally the term, if not specified otherwise (e.g., local closure), refers to completion of the fundamental structure [Ursatz].

Fundamental line [Urlinie]: In Schenker’s theory a stepwise descending line leading from the primary tone [Kopfton], always a member of the tonic triad (e.g., scale degree 3, 5, or 8), to closure. The fundamental line is represented in musical graphs or sketches by open (white) notes and by Arabic numerals with carets above.

Graph or Sketch: Representation of an interpretation of musical structure using musical notation, where the note values and other symbols indicate the relative structural significance, not the duration, of events (as opposed to the reduction, where note values do indicate relative duration). There are two types of graphs/sketches employed in this book, one which shows considerable detail and retains bar lines as an aid to readers, and the other which omits details for the sake of representing more clearly structural connections at deeper (more remote) levels. See, for example, figures 6.1 and 6.2, two representations of the structure of the Prelude in E Major (BWV 854/1).

Hypermeter: The regular grouping of bars, normally in multiples of two, where the individuals components, the bars, function at a higher level much the same as beats function within the bar with respect to relative stress. In the suites, hypermeter is most evident in dance movements like the menuet. See, for example, the Menuet from the second French Suite (BWV 813) (figure 1.2), where the prevailing hypermeter is quadruple, corresponding in general to the phrase divisions. Note, however, that the eight-bar phrase beginning in bar 17, which is based on a two-bar sequence, is continuous, not divisible into four plus four. Specific references to hypermetric organization in the suites are listed in the Index.