Choir Level 2 Music Terms Flashcards
Identify M.S. music terms to assist in music literacy
Bass Clef
A clef used for lower notes. It looks like a backwards C. The two dots surround the 4th line F. It can also be referred to as F Clef.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Spaces: ACEG
Lines: GBDFA
3/4
A time signature with 3 beats per measure and the quarter note equals 1
Cut time
2/2 time signature where there are 2 beats per measure and the half note = 1
12/8
A time signature where there are 12 beats in a measure and the eighth note equals 1.
divisi
when the melody or part divides into two or more parts
Key change
The key signature changes within a song. There are different sharps, flats, and naturals. The pitch for Do changes.
Staccato
symbol: .
A dot above or below a note head that indicates a separate or short style of singing
accent
symbol: >
A symbol above or below a note head that indicates to emphasize a note.
Natural
A Symbol that indicates to remove a sharp or flat for that measure only.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Dotted quarter note
A quarter note with a dot beside it. It indicates a note receives 1 1/2 beats in 4/4.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Dotted eighth note
An eighth not with a dot beside it. It indicates a note receives 3/4 of a beat in 4/4.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Solo
A portion of a song where only 1 individual sings
Tutti
A section of music which indicates that everyone sings
Stagger breathing
Singers breathe in different spots to make the phrase continue and not sound choppy.
Subito
an italian term meaning suddenly
fermata
a symbol also referred to as “birds eye.” It indicates that the note should be held longer and the group cuts off at the direction of the conductor
Know how to draw the symbol.
poco a poco
little by little
a tempo
original tempo; often after a ritardando or accelerando
diminuendo
gradually get softer
pianissimo
pp: very soft
descant
a higher part in music that is a counter melody and usually sung by a small group of people
accidental
a sharp, flat or natural in a measure that is not in the key signature. It lasts for just that measure.
Treble clef notes
Lines: EGBDF
Spaces: FACE
Bass clef notes
Lines: GBDFA
Spaces: ACEG
Chromatic scale
a scale made up of all half steps
Chromatic solfege
Going up: Do Di Re Ri Mi Fa Fi So Si La Li Ti Do
Going down: Do Ti Te La Le So Se Fa Mi Me Re Ra Do
Pentatonic Scale
A scale made up of 5 notes. Do Re Mi So La. The first 6 notes of a major scale eliminating Fa.
Formula: W, W, m3, W
Swing
The eighth notes are sung or played unevenly. Sing the first and last note of a triplet.
D.S. al Coda
Del Segno al Coda means to go back to the sign and skip to the Coda when indicated the 2nd time
Know how to draw the symbol.
Repeat Sign
symbol :ll
2 dots at the end of a measure that indicate you repeat back to the matching repeat signs.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Key Signature
Sharps or flats at the beginning of a song or section that indicate which key and which note is Do.
sharp
symbol: #
it raises a pitch 1/2 step
flat
symbol: b
it lowers a pitch 1/2 step
4/4
A time signature where there are 4 beats in a measure and the quarter note receives 1 beat.
forte
symbol: f
to sing or play loud
piano
symbol: p
to sing or play soft
mezzo forte
symbol: mf
to sing or play medium loud
Major scale
A scale made up of 8 notes. Solfege: Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do
Formula: WWHWWWH
ritardando
Abbreviation: rit.
to gradually slow down
a tempo
original tempo
quarter note
A note that receives 1 beat in 4/4. It has a note head colored in and stem.
Know how to draw the symbol.
half note
A note that receives 2 beats in 4/4. It has a note head–not colored in and a stem.
Know how to draw the symbol.
Eighth note
A note that receives 1/2 of a beat in 4/4. It has a note head colored in, a stem and a flag.
Know how to draw the symbol.
whole note
A note that receives 4 beats in 4/4. It is a circle not colored in.
Know how to draw the symbol.
