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Every term in the dictionary, listed alphabetically.
310 terms
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A32
A CappellaperformanceSinging without instrumental accompaniment.A dueperformanceFor two — two instruments or sections playing the same part …A tempotempoReturn to the original tempo after a deviation.AccelerandotempoGradually getting faster.AccentarticulationA stress or emphasis placed on a particular note or beat.AccidentalnotationA symbol placed before a note to raise or lower its pitch by…Ad LibitumexpressionAt the performer's discretion; freely.AdagiettotempoSlightly faster than adagio, a moderately slow tempo between…AdagiotempoSlow, at easeAffettuosoexpressionWith affection and tenderness.AgitatoexpressionAgitated; restless and anxious in character.Al CodanavigationJump to the coda section when the coda symbol is reachedAl FinenavigationContinue playing until the point marked FineAlla brevetempoCut time — a tempo marking indicating two minim beats per ba…AllegrettotempoModerately fast, slightly slower than Allegro.AllegrotempoFast, lively tempoAmorosoexpressionLovingly, with tenderness and warm affection in the performa…AnacrusisrhythmOne or more notes that precede the first full bar of a piece…AndantetempoAt a walking pace; moderately slow.AndantinotempoSlightly faster than Andante, though historically debated.AnimatoexpressionAnimated, with life and spirit.AppassionatoexpressionWith passion; performed with intense emotional fervour.ArcoarticulationWith the bow; resume bowing after pizzicato.AriaformA self-contained piece for solo voice with instrumental acco…ArpeggioarticulationNotes of a chord played in rapid succession rather than simu…ArrangementcompositionAn adaptation of a musical composition for different instrum…ArticulationperformanceThe manner in which individual notes are attacked, sustained…Articulation MarkingsnotationSymbols placed above or below notes to indicate how they sho…AssaimodifierVery or quite — a modifier that intensifies the tempo or exp…AttaccaformProceed to the next movement without pause.AugmentedintervalsAn interval that has been widened by one semitone beyond its…Aural TrainingfundamentalThe development of musical listening skills including interv…
B9
BarrhythmA segment of music bounded by bar lines, containing a fixed …BaroquefundamentalThe period of Western art music spanning roughly 1600 to 175…BeatrhythmThe basic unit of time in music — the regular pulse a listen…Bebop ScalescalesA jazz scale that adds one chromatic passing note to a stand…Binary FormformA two-part musical structure (AB)BisnavigationPlay the indicated passage twice; repeat the bracketed secti…Blues ScalescalesA six-note scale derived from the minor pentatonic with an a…BowingperformanceThe technique of drawing a bow across the strings of an inst…BrillanteexpressionBrilliantly, with sparkle and virtuosity.
C32
CadenceharmonyA harmonic or melodic formula that marks the end of a phrase…CadenzaformA virtuosic solo passage, often improvised, near the end of …CalandoexpressionDecreasing in both volume and tempo; winding down.CanoncompositionA contrapuntal composition in which a melody is imitated exa…CantabileexpressionIn a singing style; lyrical and flowing.CaponavigationThe head or beginning of a piece; the starting reference poi…CentspitchA logarithmic unit that divides each semitone into 100 equal…ChordharmonyThree or more notes sounded simultaneouslyChromatickeysPertaining to notes outside the prevailing key or diatonic s…Chromatic ScalescalesA scale comprising all twelve semitones within an octaveCircle of FifthskeysA diagram arranging all twelve major and minor keys by ascen…ClefnotationA symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate the …CodaformA concluding passage that brings a piece or movement to an e…Col legnoarticulationWith the wood; striking strings with the bow stick.Colla parteperformanceFollow the soloist or lead voice, adjusting tempo to match t…CompositioncompositionThe art and craft of creating original music by organising s…Compound IntervalintervalsAn interval wider than an octave, such as a ninth, tenth, or…Compound timerhythmTime signatures in which each beat subdivides naturally into…ConmodifierWith — connects a musical direction to its qualifying elemen…Con animaexpressionWith soul and spirited feeling, bringing life and energy to …Con brioexpressionWith spirit; performed with vigour and brilliance.Con fuocoexpressionWith fire; performed with passionate intensity.Con graziaexpressionWith grace, elegance, and refined poise in the performanceCon motoexpressionWith motion; with movement.Con pedaleperformanceWith pedal — an instruction to use the sustain pedal on keyb…Con sordinoarticulationWith mute; using a mute on the instrument.Concert PitchpitchThe internationally agreed standard tuning reference where A…ConcertoformA large-scale composition for solo instrument and orchestra,…ConsonanceharmonyIntervals or chords perceived as stable, restful, and comple…CounterpointcompositionThe art of combining two or more independent melodic lines s…CrescendodynamicsGradually getting louderCrotchetrhythmA note lasting one beat in common time, equivalent to a quar…
D19
Da CaponavigationFrom the beginning; return to the start of the piece.Da Capo al CodanavigationReturn to the beginning and play until the coda sign, then s…Da Capo al FinenavigationReturn to the beginning and play until the word Fine.Dal SegnonavigationFrom the sign; return to the segno symbol and play from ther…Dal Segno al CodanavigationRepeat from the sign to the coda mark, then jump to the coda…Dal Segno al FinenavigationReturn to the segno sign and play until the word Fine marks …DecrescendodynamicsGradually getting softer.DiatonickeysPertaining to the seven notes of a major or natural minor sc…DiminuendodynamicsGradually getting softer; decreasing in volume.DissonanceharmonyIntervals or chords perceived as tense, unstable, and seekin…DivisiperformanceDivided — string players in the same section split into two …DolceexpressionSweetly; with a gentle, tender quality.DolorosoexpressionSorrowfully, with grief.DominantkeysThe fifth degree of a scale and the second most important to…Dotted NoterhythmA note followed by a dot, which increases its duration by ha…DownbeatrhythmThe first and strongest beat of a bar, typically where the c…DronefundamentalA sustained or continuously repeated note or chord that soun…Dynamic MarkingnotationA symbol or abbreviation indicating the volume at which musi…DynamicsfundamentalThe variation in loudness between notes or phrases in a perf…
E3
F14
FermatanotationA held note or rest; pause at the performer's discretion.FifthintervalsThe interval spanning five scale degrees, most commonly the …FineformThe end; the point at which the piece concludes.FlatpitchAn accidental that lowers the pitch of a note by one semiton…FlautandoperformanceProduce a flute-like tone by bowing lightly near the fingerb…FortedynamicsLoud, strongForte piano (fp)dynamicsThe notational symbol fp — attack a note forte then immediat…FortepianodynamicsLoud then immediately soft; a sudden dynamic contrast on a s…FortissimodynamicsVery loud; much louder than forte.FortississimodynamicsExtremely loud; louder than fortissimo.FrequencypitchThe number of sound-wave vibrations per second, measured in …FugueformA contrapuntal composition in which a subject is introduced …FundamentalpitchThe lowest frequency in a harmonic series, perceived as the …FuriosoexpressionFuriously, with wild intensity and passionate rage in the pl…
G4
H3
I5
In modo diperformanceIn the manner of; perform in the style of a specified charac…IntermezzoformA piece played between other compositions or acts.IntervalpitchThe distance in pitch between two notes.IntonationpitchThe accuracy with which a performer produces the correct pit…InversionharmonyThe process of flipping an interval or rearranging the notes…
K2
L9
LacrimosoexpressionTearfully, with a weeping, sorrowful quality throughout the …LarghettotempoRather broadly, slightly faster than Largo.LargotempoVery slow and broad; the slowest standard tempo marking.Leading notekeysThe seventh degree of a major or harmonic minor scale, a sem…Ledger LinenotationA short horizontal line drawn above or below the staff to ex…LegatoarticulationSmooth, connectedLeggieroexpressionLightly, delicately.LentotempoSlow, between Adagio and Largo.LusingaexpressionCoaxingly, with a flattering and persuasive sweetness in the…
M34
MamodifierBut — introduces a contrasting or limiting qualificationMa non troppomodifierBut not too much — a moderating instruction that tempers an …MaestosoexpressionMajestic; with grandeur and dignity.Major ScalescalesA seven-note scale with the pattern tone–tone–semitone–tone–…Major SecondintervalsAn interval spanning two semitones, equivalent to a whole to…Major SixthintervalsAn interval spanning nine semitones, often described as warm…Major ThirdintervalsAn interval spanning four semitones, often perceived as brig…Mano destraperformancePlay with the right hand, used primarily in keyboard musicMano sinistraperformancePlay with the left hand, used primarily in keyboard musicMarcatoarticulationMarked; each note played with strong emphasis.MartellatoarticulationHammered; strongly accented notes.Melodic Minor ScalescalesA minor scale that raises both the sixth and seventh degrees…MelodyfundamentalA sequence of single pitches perceived as a coherent musical…MenomodifierLess — reduces the degree of the direction it modifiesMeno MossotempoLess motion; slower.MestoexpressionSadly, mournfully.MetrerhythmThe recurring pattern of strong and weak beats that organise…Mezza vocedynamicsAt half voice; with restrained tone.Mezzo fortedynamicsModerately loud; half as loud as forte.Mezzo pianodynamicsModerately soft; half as soft as piano.MicrotonepitchAny interval smaller than a semitone, used in various musica…Minor ScalescalesA seven-note scale with a flattened third degree relative to…Minor SecondintervalsAn interval spanning one semitone, the smallest step in stan…Minor SeventhintervalsAn interval spanning ten semitones, central to dominant seve…Minor SixthintervalsAn interval spanning eight semitones, with a bittersweet qua…Minor ThirdintervalsAn interval spanning three semitones, often described as hav…MisteriosoexpressionMysteriously, with an air of mystery.ModekeysA type of scale defined by a specific pattern of tones and s…ModeratotempoAt a moderate tempo; neither fast nor slow.ModulationkeysThe process of changing from one key to another within a pie…MoltomodifierVery; much. A modifier that intensifies another musical dire…MorendodynamicsDying away; fading to silence in both volume and tempo.MovementformA self-contained section within a larger multi-part composit…MuteperformanceA device attached to an instrument to soften its volume and …
N4
O11
Octatonic ScalescalesAn eight-note scale built from alternating whole tones and s…OctaveintervalsThe interval spanning eight diatonic scale degreesOffbeatrhythmAny beat or subdivision that falls between the main beats of…OpusnotationA numbering system for a composer's works, assigned roughly …OrchestrationcompositionThe art of assigning musical material to specific instrument…OrdinarioperformanceReturn to normal playing technique after a special instructi…OrnamentperformanceA decorative note or group of notes added to a melody.OssiaperformanceAn alternative passage offered as an easier or different ver…OstinatoformA persistently repeated musical pattern or phrase.OvertonepitchA higher frequency that sounds simultaneously above a fundam…OvertureformAn orchestral introduction played before an opera, oratorio,…
P28
Parallel KeykeysA major and minor key that share the same tonic note but hav…PateticoexpressionPathetically, with deep feeling and emotional suffering expr…PausenavigationA fermata; an instruction to hold a note or rest beyond its …Pentatonic ScalescalesA five-note scale found in musical traditions worldwidePerdendosidynamicsDying away, becoming softer and usually slower.Perfect FifthintervalsAn interval of seven semitonesPerfect FourthintervalsAn interval spanning five semitones, historically treated as…PesantearticulationHeavily, with weight.PhraseformA complete musical thought, analogous to a sentence in spoke…PhrasingperformanceThe way a performer shapes a musical sentence by controlling…PianissimodynamicsVery soft; much quieter than piano.PianississimodynamicsExtremely soft; softer than pianissimo.PianodynamicsSoft, quietPitchfundamentalThe perceived highness or lowness of a sound, determined by …Pitch ClasspitchA group containing all notes that share the same letter name…PiùmodifierMore — intensifies the direction it accompaniesPiù MossotempoMore motion; faster.PizzicatoarticulationPlucked with the finger rather than bowed.PocomodifierA little; slightly — used to qualify other musical direction…Poco a pocomodifierLittle by little — a gradual, incremental change applied to …PolyphonycompositionA musical texture featuring two or more independent melodic …PolyrhythmrhythmThe simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythmic pat…PortamentoarticulationA smooth, vocal-style slide between two notes.PortatoarticulationCarried; between legato and staccato.PreludeformAn introductory piece of music that precedes a larger work o…PrestissimotempoAs fast as possible; the fastest standard tempo marking.PrestotempoVery fast; one of the quickest tempo markings.Prima voltanavigationFirst-time bracket indicating a passage played only on the f…
Q2
R18
RallentandotempoGradually slowing down; broadening the tempo.RecitativoformA vocal style imitating natural speech rhythms.RegisterpitchA particular range or portion of the pitch spectrum availabl…Relative keykeysA major and minor key that share the same key signature but …Relative Major and MinorkeysA pair of keys — one major, one minor — sharing the same key…ReligiosoexpressionIn a devout, reverent manner suggesting prayer or sacred con…Repeat SignnotationA pair of dots and double barlines that instruct the perform…ReplicanavigationA repeat; an instruction to perform the indicated section ag…ResolutionharmonyThe move from a dissonant or unstable sonority to a consonan…RestnotationA notated period of silence of a specified duration.RhythmfundamentalThe pattern of sounds and silences in time.RinforzandodynamicsA sudden increase in volume on a single note or short passag…RipresanavigationA return or recapitulation of earlier musical materialRisolutoexpressionResolutely, with determination.RitardandotempoGradually slowing downRondoformA form in which a principal theme alternates with contrastin…RubatotempoFlexible, stolen timeRubato (rhythm)rhythmA flexible approach to tempo in which some beats are slightl…
S37
ScalepitchAn ordered series of pitches ascending or descending by step…ScherzandoexpressionPlayfully — a direction to perform the current passage with …ScherzoformA joke; a lively, often humorous movement.ScherzosoexpressionPlayful in character — describing the overall mood rather th…ScordaturaperformanceDeliberately mistuning one or more strings to alter timbre o…ScorenotationA written document showing all parts of a musical compositio…Seconda voltanavigationSecond-time bracket indicating a passage played only on the …SegnonavigationA sign used as a navigation marker in a musical score.SeguenavigationContinue directly to the next section without interruptionSemitoneintervalsThe smallest interval in standard Western musicSempremodifierAlways; continuously throughout the passage.SenzamodifierWithout — removes a previously applied technique or qualitySenza sordinoperformanceWithout mute — removing the mute or, on piano, using the sus…SequencecompositionThe repetition of a musical pattern at successively higher o…Seventh ChordharmonyA four-note chord adding a seventh above the root to a triadSforzandodynamicsSudden strong accentSharppitchAn accidental that raises the pitch of a note by one semiton…Sight-ReadingfundamentalThe ability to perform a piece of music at first sight witho…SinfoniaformA symphony or orchestral introduction — a large-scale work f…SlurnotationA curved line connecting two or more notes of different pitc…SmorzandodynamicsDying away in tone and speed.SoloperformanceA passage for a single performer, with or without accompanim…Sonata FormformA large-scale musical structure based on exposition, develop…SostenutoarticulationSustained, holding notes for their full value with a smooth …Sotto vocedynamicsIn a subdued, hushed voice; very softly.SpiccatoarticulationA bouncing bow stroke producing short, separated notes.StaccatoarticulationShort, detached notesStaffnotationThe set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which mu…StringendotempoPressing forward; an instruction to accelerate the tempo wit…Strophic FormformA song structure where the same music repeats for each verse…SubdominantkeysThe fourth degree of a scale, forming a key harmonic pillar …SubitomodifierSuddenly; an immediate change without transition.SuiteformA collection of short movements grouped together, often base…Sul ponticelloarticulationOn the bridge; bowing near the bridge for a glassy tone.Sul tastoarticulationOn the fingerboard; bowing over the fingerboard for a soft t…SuspensionharmonyA non-chord tone held over from the previous chord, creating…SyncopationrhythmDeliberate displacement of the expected rhythmic accent
T33
TacetperformanceSilent — an instruction that a performer or section does not…TemperamentpitchA tuning system that determines how the twelve pitches withi…TempofundamentalThe speed at which a piece of music is performed.Tempo di valsetempoIn waltz time — a moderate triple-time tempo suitable for da…Tempo giustotempoAt a strict, regular tempo without flexibility or rubatoTempo MarkingnotationA word or phrase placed at the beginning of a piece or secti…Tempo primotempoReturn to the original tempo.TeneramenteexpressionTenderly, with gentle delicacy and emotional warmth in every…TenutoarticulationHeld for its full value; sustained with emphasis.Ternary FormformA three-part musical structure (ABA)TessiturapitchThe range of pitches within which a vocal or instrumental pa…TexturefundamentalThe way melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic materials are woven …Theme and VariationsformA form in which a theme is stated and then altered through a…ThirdintervalsAn interval spanning three diatonic scale degreesThrough-ComposedformA song structure where the music changes continuously withou…TienotationA curved line joining two adjacent notes of the same pitch, …TimbrefundamentalThe characteristic quality of a sound that distinguishes one…Time SignaturerhythmA notational convention indicating how many beats are in eac…TonickeysThe first and most important note of a key, serving as the c…TonicisationkeysThe brief treatment of a non-tonic chord as a temporary toni…TranquilloexpressionTranquil; calm and peaceful.TransposecompositionTo shift an entire piece or passage to a different key while…Transposing InstrumentpitchAn instrument whose notated pitch differs from the actual so…TranspositionkeysMoving a passage of music up or down in pitch by a fixed int…Tre cordeperformanceRelease the soft pedal, allowing hammers to strike all three…TremoloarticulationRapid repetition of a single note or alternation between two…TriadharmonyA three-note chord built from stacked thirdsTripletrhythmA group of three notes played in the time normally occupied …TritoneintervalsAn interval of six semitones — exactly half an octaveTroppomodifierToo much — used with non to mean not too much, moderating an…TuningpitchThe process of adjusting an instrument so its pitches match …TuttiperformanceAll together; the entire ensemble plays.Twelve-Tone TechniquecompositionA method of composition that treats all twelve chromatic pit…
U4
Una cordaperformanceDepress the left pedal on a piano to soften the toneUnisonintervalsTwo or more voices or instruments sounding the same pitch si…UnisonoperformanceIn unison — all performers playing or singing the same notes…UpbeatnavigationThe anacrusis; one or more notes occurring before the first …
V5
VibratoarticulationA slight, rapid oscillation of pitch to enrich the tone.VivacetempoLively and fast; performed with energy and brightness.VivotempoLively and vivacious, similar to Vivace.VoltaformTurn; used in repeat structures (prima volta, seconda volta)…Volta subitonavigationTurn the page quickly to avoid a break in performance