accidentals
the signs that indicate whether a note is flat, sharp,or natural
arpeggio
notes of a chord played one after another in order
chord
two or more tones sounded at the same time
chromatic scale
a scale consisting of twelve half steps (using all sharps and flats)
clef
a sign at the beginning of a staff that determines the name and pitch of notes on the staff
coda
the finishing section or passage of a musical composition
discord
a combination of harsh or unpleasant sounds
improvisation
the creation and performance of music spontaneously
interval
the musical distance between any two notes
key signature
sharps and flates shown at the beginning of each staff
ledger lines
short extra lines drawn above or below the staff on which notes are written
measure
a group of beats or division of time marked off by bar lines
melody
a succession of tones forming a musical design, consisting of motion and rhythm
meter
the pattern of beats in a composition (e.g. 2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
modulation
a change from one key to another
octave
an interval of eight notes in the natural (diatonic) scale
score
the written form of a musical composition
half step
one half of a whole tone, the smallest interval in Western Music
step
the interval between two successive notes of a musical scale
syncopation
the displacement of the natural accent in music
tempo
the speed of a composition
theme
a musical idea in a composition
time signature
figures given at the beginning of a composition to indicate meter
unison
two or more instruments sounding the same pitch
vibrato
a slight wavering of tone
accelerando
gradually increasing in tempo/speed
adagio
a very slow and expressive tempo marking
allargando
gradually get slower and outer, in broader style
allegro
a fast and lively tempo
andante
a walking tempo
animato
animatedly, with spirit
poco a poco
a little", gradually
a temp
return to the original tempo
crescendo
gradually increase volume
D.C., Da Capo
go back to the beginning of piece
D.S., Dal Segno
return to the sign
Decrescendo/ Diminuendo
gradually decrease volume
dolce
perform sweetly
largo
a broad, very slow tempo
legato
perform smoothly, without any interruption between
marcato
marked, with emphasis
moderato
a moderate tempo
presto
a very fast tempo
ritardando (rit., ritard)
gradually slowing in tempo/speed
subito (sub.)
suddenly
tutti
all; everyone resume playing
accent
emphasis on a note- >
sforzando
with a sudden strong accent on a single note or chord- sFz
cut time
2/2 meter- c|
bar lines
the vertical lines on the staff that separate measures- | |
bass clef (or F celf)
):
common time
4/4 meter - c
crescendo
gradually increase volume- <<<<
decrescendo
gradually decrease volume- >>>>>
dot (dotted note)
increases the value of a note be 1/2- d.
double bar
indicates the end of a piece or movement
fermata
indicates the note or rest should be held
1st and 2nd endings
indicates to play the notes under the first ending, repeat the passage, take the 2nd ending and continue
flat
indicates the note is lowered one half step- b
forte
loud- f
fortissimo
very loud- ff
forte piano crescendo
attack the note loudly followed immediately by playing it softly followed by a gradual increase in volume- Fp<<<<
key signature
indicates the key of a composition by its sharps or flats
marcato
indicates the note should be played with accented and with separation- ^
mezzo forte
medium loud- mf
mezzo piano
medium soft- mp
metronome marking
indicates the tempo of a composition- d=120, M.M.
natural
indicates a note is neither sharp or flat
pianissimo
very soft- pp
piano
soft- p
repeat sign
indicates the section should be repeated- :||
sharp
indicates the note is raised one half step
slur
a curved line connecting two or more different notes. Indicates to perform smoothly by only tonguing the first note.
staccato
indicates the note should be played short and separated- .
staff
five horizontal lines on which notes are written to indicate their pitch
tie
a curved line connecting two same pitches uniting them into a single sound
time signature
two numbers at the beginning of a piece indicating the meter. The top number indicates how many beats per measure. The bottom number indicates which type of note gets the beat
treble or G clef
&
trill
the rapid alteration of two notes which produces a warbling effect- tr~~~
triplet
a group of three notes played in the time of two similar ones