A Tempo
Return to the original tempo.
Accent
Emphasize the note.
Accidental
Natural, sharp, or flat not in key signature. Remains in effect for the full measure.
Allegretto
A lively tempo.
Allegro
Fast bright tempo.
Alto Clef
C" clef used by violas.
Andante
Slow walking tempo.
Andantino
A tempo that is slightly quicker than Andante.
Arco
Play with the bow on the instrument.
Arpeggio
A chord whose pitches are played one at a time.
Balance Point
Point on bow where weight is equally distributed.
Bariolage
A bowing style where no two notes in a row are played on the same string.
Bar Lines
Divides the music staff into measures
Bass Clef
F" clef used by cellos and basses.
Beat
The pulse of music.
Bow Lift
Lift the bow and return to its starting point.
Cantabile
In a singing style.
Cantata
Pieces much like short operas that were written during the Baroque Period.
Chorale
German hymn or song.
Chromatics
Notes altered with sharps, flats, or naturals.
Clef
Indicates a new line of music and a set of note names.
Common Time
Another way to write 4/4.
Composition
The process of creating music.
Concerto
A composition in several movements for solo instruments and/or an orchestra.
Crescendo
Gradually increase volume.
Cut Time
Meter in which the half note gets one beat.
D.C. al Fine
Play until D.C. al Fine, go back to beginning and play until you see Fine.
Decrescendo
Gradually decrease volume.
Dotted Half Note
Three beats of sound.
Dotted Quarter Note
One and one-half beats of sound.
Double Bar
Indicates the end of a piece of music.
Double Stops
Playing two strings at once.
Down Bow
Move the bow away from your body.
Duet
Composition for two players.
Dynamics
Tells us how loudly/softly we should be playing.
e
The Italian word for "and".
Eighth Note
Two eighth notes=one beat of sound.
Eighth Rest
One-half beat of silence.
Fermata
Hold the note longer.
1st and 2nd Endings
Play the first ending the first time, skip to 2nd ending on repeat.
Flat
Lowers the sound of note(s) a half step.
Forte
Play loudly.
Half Note
Two beats of sound.
Half Rest
Two beats of silence.
Half Step
Smallest distance between two notes.
Harmony
Two or more pitches sounding at the same time.
Hooked Bowing
Two or more notes played in the same bow direction with a pause in between.
Improvisation
The art of performing music freely, creating your own melody as you play.
Interval
Distance between two notes.
Intonation
How well each note is played in tune.
Key Change
When a key signature changes in the middle of a piece of music.
Key Signature
Tells us what notes to play with sharps or flats for the entire piece.
Ledger Lines
Extends the music staff.
Legato
Play in a smooth and connect style.
Lento
A very slow tempo.
Major/Minor Scale
Series of 8 notes that follow a definite pattern of whole steps and half steps.
Measure
Section of the music separated by bar lines.
Meter Change
A meter (time signature) change in music.
mezzo forte
Play moderately loud.
mezzo piano
Play moderately soft.
Moderato
Moderate tempo.
Multiple Measures Rest
Tells how many measures to count and rest.
Music Staff
5 lines and 4 spaces.
Natural Sign
Cancels sharps or flats and remains in effect for the full measure.
Notes
Tells us how high or low to play, and how long to play.
Piano
Play softly.
Pizzicato
Pluck the strings.
Quarter Note
One beat of sound.
Quarter Rest
One beat of silence.
Rehearsal Numbers
Measure numbers in squares above the staff.
Repeat Sign
Go back to the beginning and play the music again.
Rests
Count silent beats.
Ritardando
Gradually slow the tempo.
Round
Musical form where performers play the same melody and enter at different times.
Scale
Sequence of notes in ascending or descending order.
Shadow Bowing
Bowing without the instrument.
Sharp
Raises the sound of note(s) a half step.
Shifting
Sliding your left hand to a new location on the fingerboard.
Sightreading
Playing a musical selection for the first time.
Sixteenth Notes
Four sixteen notes=One beat of sound.
Slur
Curved line that connects two or more different pitches.
Solo
Performing alone or without an accompanist.
Staccato
Shortened note. Played with stopped bow stroke.
Syncopation
Emphasis on the weak beats of the music.
Tempo Markings
Tells us the speed of the music.
Theme and Variations
Musical form where theme is followed by variations.
Tie
Curved line that connects notes of the same pitch.
Time Signature (Meter)
Tells us how many beats per measure, and what kind of note gets one beat.
Treble Clef
G" clef used by violins.
Triplet
Group of three notes.
Up Bow
Move bow towards your body.
Whole Note
4 beats of sound.
Whole Rest
4 beats of silence.
Whole Step
Two half steps.