measure
space between two barlines
eighth notes
two eighth notes connected with a beam, equal to one beat
bar line
divides the staff into measures
bass clef
Used for the lower sounding pitches. Also called F clef.
crescendo
gradually increasing in volume, also written as cresc.
decrescendo
gradually decreasing in volume, also written as decresc.
dotted half note
gets 3 counts of sound
fermata
hold the note or rest longer than its time value
forte
loud volume
half note
gets 2 counts of sound
half rest
gets 2 counts of silence
flat
lowers the pitch of a note by one-half step
mezzo forte
medium loud volume
natural
cancels the effect of a flat or sharp
piano
soft volume
quarter note
gets one count of sound
quarter rest
gets one count of silence
repeat
go back and play again
sharp
raises the pitch of a note by one-half step
staff
the 5 lines and 4 spaces on which music is written
treble clef
Used for the higher sounding pitches. Also known as the G clef.
whole note
gets 4 counts of sound
whole rest
gets 4 counts of silence
accent
play the note with more emphasis
fortissimo
very loud
legato
play smooth and connected
mezzo piano
medium soft
pianissimo
very soft
staccato
play the notes short and detached
tie
2 or more notes of the same pitch, connected with a curved line, add the time values together and play as one note
slur
2 or more notes of different pitch, connected with a curve line, tongue the first note and smoothly connect the other notes