octave
eight full tones above the key not where the scale begins and ends
operetta
a short light musical drama
overture
introduction to an opera or other large musical work
part
a line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.
phrase
a single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence
piano
an instruction in sheet music to play softly
pitch
the frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds
presto
a direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast
quartet
a set of 4 musicians who perform a composition written for four parts
recital
a solo concert with or without accompaniment
reed
the piece of can in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound
refrain
a repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song
reprise
to repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.
rhythm
the element of music pertaining to time, played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.
scale
successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending
sharp
a symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone
soprano
the highest female voice
staff
made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notication is written
tempo
indicating speed
time signature
a numeric symbol in sheet music
tone
the intonation pitch and modulation of a compostition
treble
the playing or singing of the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.
trio
a composition written for 3 voices and instruments performed by 3 persons
triplet
3 notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats
tune
a rhythmic succession of musical tones, a melody for instruments and voices.
acappella
one or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment
accelerando
a symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo
adagio
a tempo having slow movement restful at ease
allegro
a driction to play lively and fast
beat
the unit of musical rhythm
cadence
a sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase either in the middle or the end of a composition
carol
a song or hymn celebrating Christmas
chant
singing in unison, texts in a free rhythm. similar the the rhythm of speech
choir
group of singers in a chorus
chorale
a hymn sung by the choir and congregation often the unison
chord
3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony
chorus
a group singing in unison
clef
in sheet music a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.
coda
closing section of a movement
da capo
in sheet music an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord
duet
a piece of music written for 2 vocalists or instrumentalists
dynamics
pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume
elegy
an instrumental lament with praise for the dead
encore
a piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance shown by continuous applause.
ensemble
the performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.
falsetto
a style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords, the voice is able to reach the pitch of the female
fermata
to hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the siscretiong of the performer.
finale
movement or passage the concludes the musical compositon
forte
a symbol indication to play loud
gregorian chant
singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory for psalms and other other parts of the church service.
hymn
a song of praise and glorification . Most oftern to honor God
key
systme on notes or tones based on and named after the key note
key signature
the flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.
legato
word to indicate that the movement or entire compositon is to be played smoothly
libretto
a book or text containing the words of an opera.
maestro
a book of text contaqining the words of an opera
march
a form of music written for marching in 2 step time
measure
the unit of measure where the beats of the lines of the staff are divided up into 2, 3, 4 beats to a measure.
medley
often used in overtures a compositon that uses passages fro other movements of the composition in its entirety.
mezzo
the voice between soprano and alto. Also in sheet music, a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.
legato
word to indicate that the movement or entire compositon is to be played smoothly.