The weather seems to be (affecting, effecting) my mood lately. Pick the correct work in parentheses based on context.

The weather seems to be AFFECTING my mood lately. VERBS To effect (verb) is to bring about a change/result, or to implement (this is rare). To affect (verb) is to influence something or someone. If you're dealing with change being done ON or TO something, think AFFECT. Effect as a verb is very rare...if you cannot substitute the word "implement" in the blank space, you should pick affect. ............................ NOUNS An effect (noun) is a result of a change. An affect (noun) is a word used in psychology to refer to emotional states (speaking unscientifically). Unless you're working on a psychology fill-in-the-blank exercise, you probably want to pick EFFECT!

What are the similarities and differences between Italian, German, and French Augmented 6th chords?

All three types of Augmented 6th chords have a lowered 6 scale degree ("le") and a raised 4 scale degree ("fi"). Typically, the lowered 6th is placed in the bass while the raised 4th is placed in the soprano voice in order to create and augmented 6th as the outer interval of the chord (hence its name). All three chords serve a predominant function. The inner voices are where the chords differ. In an Italian chord, the inner voices double the root (scale degree 1, "do"). In a French chord, one inner voice is placed on scale degree 1 ("do"), and the other is placed on scale degree 2 ("re"), making it the most dissonant. In a German chord, one inner voice is placed on the root ("do"), and the other is placed on the lowered 3 scale degree ("me"). German chords cannot go directly to dominant chords for voice leading reasons, so they typically precede cadential 6/4 progressions.

What defines "classical" music?

"Classical" music refers to music descended from the Western lineage of music that dates back to 12th century in Medieval Europe, when records began be consistently kept and preserved. Within the classical genre, there are subcategories of music defined by time period of composition, musical characteristics, and other factors. Some of the most commonly referenced subcategories are Renaissance, Baroque, Classical (which can become a confusing name for a subcategory), Romantic, and 20th Century.