Essential Dictionary of Music: Handpicked Terms Flashcards
A grace note which is played simultaneously with the principal note and immediately released.
Acciaccatura
A tempo slightly faster than adagio.
Adagietto
A slow tempo which is faster than largo and slower than andante.
Adagio
A triad including the sixth note above the root. For example C, E, G, A.
Added sixth
With grief (It.)
Addolorato
A mode that corresponds to the half and whole step patterns created when playing A to A on the white keys of the piano. Same as natural minor scale
Aeolian
With tender emotion (It.)
Affetuoso
Sad, melancholy (It.)
Afflitto
Hurrying (It.)
Affrettando
Lightly. (It.)
Algilmente
Agitated. (It.)
Agitato
The fifth part from the Ordinary of the Mass. literally means “Lamb of God.”
Agnus Dei
To emphasize a note by giving it a longer duration than normal.
Agogic Accent
A song, melody, or tune
Air
In the style of. (It.)
Al, alla, alle
To the coda (It.)
Al coda
When elements of a piece of music are determined by chance.
Aleatory Music
To the end (It.)
Al fine
A tempo indication where the half note received the beat rather than the quarter note. Also called cut time. (It.)
Alle breve
Becoming slower and broader (It.)
Allargando
A lively, quick tempo that is slightly slower than allegro. (It.)
Allegretto
Cheerful, quick or fast (It.)
Allegro
A German dance usually in duple meter, commonly found in a suite. Or a German dance in 3/4 time. (Fr.)
Allemande
Slowing (It.)
Allentando
Go to the sign (It.)
Al segno
The raising or lowering of a note with an accidental.
Alteration
A chord in which one or more notes have been raised or lowered chromatically.
Altered chord
The C clef usually used by viola, where the middle C is found on the third line of the staff.
Alto clef
Another (It.)
Altra
Tender, gentle (It.)
Amabile
Love (It.)
Amore
The volume of sound.
Amplitude
On the bridge (Ger.)
am Steg
Upbeat or pickup
Anacrusis
The study of form and structure in music
Analysis
A moderate, graceful tempo slower than allegretto and faster than adagio. (It.)
Andante
A tempo slightly faster or slower than andante. (It.)
Andantino
English (Fr.)
Anglaise
Spirited, animated. (It.)
Animoso/Animato
In a fugue, the second entry of a the subject which is at a different pitch than the first entry.
Answer
1: The first phrase of a musical period. 2: The theme or subject of a canon or fugue.
Antecedent
A Protestant choral composition, with religious text.
Anthem
One or more non-harmonic tones played before the chord in which it belongs.
Anticipation
A short chant sung before and after a psalm or canticle during the Roman Chatholic Mass
Antiphon
When separate groups or performers alternate or respond to each other.
Antiphonal
Passionately. (It.)
Appassionato
Emphasized. (It.)
Appoggiando
A non harmonic grace note that resolves stepwise to a harmonic note. (It.)
Appoggiatura
Bowed. To bow a stringed instrument. (It.)
Arcato
To bow a stringed instrument (It.)
Arco
Spirited, bolded (It.)
Ardito
A solo vocal piece usually associated with opera and oratorios (It.)
Aria
A comic aria (It.)
Aria buffa
Lyrically (It.)
Arioso
An adaption of a composition for a medium other than that which it was originally written
Arrangement
Literally “old art.” Used to indicate music of the 12th and 13th centuries, especially the music of Leonin and Perotin (Lat.)
Ars Antiqua
Literally “new art.” Used to indicate the music of the 14th century, especially the music of Machaut and Landini (Lat.)
Ars Nova
On stringed instruments, a harmonic played on a fingered or fretted string, rather than an open string.
Artificial harmonic
Very, extremely (It.)
assai
Enough, fairly (Fr.)
Assez
Return to the original tempo or speed (It.)
a tempo
Music without a tonal center or key.
atonal
Continue immediately to next section or movement without a break (It.)
attacca
The act of beginning a note or phrase
attack
The electronic representation of sound
audio
Soaring (Ger.)
Aufschwung
Elongating the duration of notes
augmentation
A major triad with the fifth raised a half step.
augmented triad
an interval raised by a half step
augmented interval
A chord that includes the interval of an augmented sixth, that resolves outward to an octave (Ex. French, Italian, and German ________)
Augmented Sixth Chord
A cadence that ends with the dominant (V) chord progressing to the tonic (I) chord.
Authentic cadence
A mode whose key note is the lowest note.
Authentic mode
Slang for a musical instrument
Axe
The smallest sized grand piano
Baby grand
A popular style of drumming where the second and fourth beats of a measure are emphasized
back beat
Short instrumental pieces
bagatelle
In the style of a dance (It.)
ballabile
1: A song that tells a story 2: A slow sentimental song 3: Originally a song accompanying dancing
Ballad
1: A dramatic instrumental composition 2: A medieval poetic French song
Ballade
A dance set to music that depicts a story (Fr.)
Ballet
Another word for measure
bar
Music in the style of songs sung by Venetian gondoliers, usually in 6/8 time. (Fr.)
Barcarolle
The male singing voice which is between the bass and tenor.
Baritone
The f clef on the third line of the staff
baritone clef
A vertical line that divides measures or bars
bar line
The historical period of music from 1600-1750
Baroque
A fretted instrument with four, five or six strings tuned an octave lower than the guitar.
Bass guitar
Comical bass voice in an opera. (It.)
Basso buffo
The low-pitched double-reed bass member of the oboe family which has a soft mellow tone.
Bassoon
A bass part of a composition that is repeated.
basso ostinato
The stick used by a conductor to lead an ensemble.
Baton
The horizontal line that connects groups of eight notes, sixteenth notes, thirty, second notes, etc. in place of flags.
beam
unit of measurement of rhythmic time
beat
A style of jazz that originated in the 1940’s, characterized by extended harmonies, improvisation, complex rhythms and fast tempos.
Bebop
Vocal style of great Italian singers of the 18th and early 19th centuries, characterized by flawless technique and beautiful tone. Literally means “beautiful singing.”
Bel canto
From the Mass, the conclusion of the Sanctus. Literally “blessed”
Benedictus
An Italian peasant’s dance from the 16th and 17th centuries, based on the harmonic progression of I-IV-V-I. (It.)
Bergamasca
A jazz band usually made of of groups of woodwind, brass, percussion and sometimes stringed instruments that played music fro dancing. They were most popular from the 1920’s through the 1940’s.
big band
A musical form where one section is followed by a contrasting section: AB
binary form
a soft tremolo effect on the harp. Literally means “whispering.”
bisbigliando
when two key centers (or tonalities) are used simultaneously
bitonality
A musical style from the American south characterized by quick tempos and elaborate vocals. It usually features fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass
blue grass
The lowered third, seventh, and sometimes fifth degrees of a major scale that create the characteristic sound of the blues.
blue notes
a kind of American music derived from spirituals and work songs characterized by blue notes and a form that is usually 12 bars long.
blues
A keying system for woodwind instruments invented by Theobald Boehm that allows both ease of of playing and correct acoustical position of the holes.
Boehm system
A Spanish dance usually in 3/4 time
Bolero
Small Cuban drums where two drums of different sizes are joined together and played with the thumb and fingers of each hand.
Bongos
A jazz piano style popular in the United States during the 1920’s and 1930’s characterized by a steady rhythmic ostinato bass in the left hand
Boogie Woogie
The diameter of a woodwind or brass instrument.
Bore
A Brazilian dance popular in the late 1950’s and 1960’s
Bossa Nova
A bracket connecting two or more staves.
Brace
A 15th century dance usually in duple time. (Fr.)
Branle
An ensemble usually consisting of two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba, or a composition for that ensemble.
Brass Quintet
An ensemble usually consisting of a trumpet, horn and trombone, or a composition for that ensemble.
Brass trio
Boldness, virtuosity. A piece requiring technical proficiency. (It.)
Bravura
Originally considered the shortest note value. Since the 16th century it is the longest note value, equaling two whole notes.
Breve
1: The change from the lower register to the higher register of a clarinet 2: The point a voice passes from the chest register to the head register. 3: In jazz, a solo section inserted into a vocal or instrumental piece.
break
A thin piece of wood on stringed instruments that holds the strings away from the belly of the instrument.
bridge
brilliant (It.)
Brillante
Brio (It.)
Vigor, spirit
Brisé (Fr.)
Arpeggiated Playing
Bruscamente (It.)
Brusquely, accented
Brushes
Soft wire brushes used in place of drumsticks to strike percussion instruments
Buffo, buffa (It.)
Comical
Bugle
- A valveless brass instrument that plays the notes of the overtone series. It commonly has a range similar to a B-flat trumpet and is used for military signaling
Burden
- The refrain of a song 2. The drone of a bagpipe
Burgundian School
The group of composers in the early 15th century who bridged the styles of the Ars Nova and the Flemish schools. Most notably the music of Guillame Dufay
Burlesque
- A musical farce 2. A comical stage show composed of various unrelated segments
BWV
Abbreviation for “Bach-Werke Verzeichnis.” The thematic catalogue of the works of J.S. Bach. BWV numbers are used in place of opus numbers when referring to J.S. Bach’s compositions.
Byzantine Chant
Christian church chants similar to Gregorian chant from the Byzantine Empire (330-1433 A.D.)
Cabaletta (It.)
- A short operatic song in popular style with uniform rhythm in both the vocal popular style with uniform rhythm in both the vocal and accompanimental parts 2. In late 19th-Century Italian opera, the final section of an elaborate aria that ends with a quick uniform rhythm.
Caccia (It.)
Chase or hunt. A two-part canon where the voices “chase” each other
Cacophony
A harsh dissonant sound. Dissonance
Cadence
The melodic or harmonic ending of a phrase, section, movement or complete composition.
Cadenza (It.)
A virtuosic solo section of a piece used to display the performer’s technique, either written by the composer or improvised by the performer.
Cadenzato (It.)
Rhythmical
Caesura (It.)
A symbol // indicating a sudden pause in the music
Caisse (Fr.)
A drum
Cakewalk
An American dance popular in the 1890’s with ragtime rhythms
calando (It.)
Gradually diminishing becoming softer and sometimes slower
calcando (It.)
Accelerating the tempo
calliope
a pipe organ that blows steam through the pipes, rather than air
calma, calmando, calmato (It.)
quieting, calming
calore (It.)
Passion, warmth
Calypso
A style of ballad from Trinidad that was popular in the United States during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s
cambiata (It.)
In counterpoint, a dissonant note followed by the interval of a third. Also called a change note.
camera (It.)
Music to be played outside of the church, as opposed to chiesa which is to be played in the church. Literally means “chamber”
camerata (It.)
Small schools of writers and musicians in the 16th century
camminando (It.)
Walking, flowing
campanelle (It.)
- Small bells 2. Glockenspiel
cancan (Fr.)
French dance in a fast 2/4 time, popular in the 19th century
canción (Sp.)
Spanish for song
canon
The strictest form of counterpoint where on melody begins, followed at a specific interval of time by the same melody note for note
cantabile (It.)
singing
cantare (It.)
to sing
cantata (It.)
A multi-movement vocal work for chorus and/or soloists with orchestral accompaniment that is performed without staging
canticle
A non-metrical hymn used in a church service
canto (It.)
- Melody, song 2. The instrument or voice with the melody
cantor (It.)
A solo singer who leads musical portions of religious services
cantus firmus (Lat.)
An existing melody that is used as the theme of a polyphonic piece. Literally means “fixed song”
canzonet (It.)
a short instrumental or vocal piece
capo (It.)
- The head or beginning of a piece 2. The nut of a stringed instrument 3. capotasto
capotasto (It.)
- A device placed around the fretboard or fingerboard of a stringed instrument that raises the pitch of the strings. 2. The nut of a stringed instrument
capriccio, caprice (It. and Fr.)
An instrumental piece in a free form
capriccioso (It.)
Capricious, lively, fanciful
carol
a joyous song of praise, usually sung at Christmas time
cassa (It.)
Drum
castanets
Two small concave pieces of wood or ivory which are struck together to create a clicking sound.
castrato (It.)
Adult male singers who were castrated as boys in order to keep the same vocal range as their bodies grew. When they had matured, they had the vocal range of a soprano or alto and the strength and lung capacity of a man. This practice stopped in the 19th century and their parts are now sung by sopranos, countertenors or transposed down to be sung by tenors or baritones.
catch
a humorous round or canon for three or more voices
cavatina (It.)
- Songlike instrumental piece 2. A short solo aria
C clef
a movable clef that indicates the placement of middle C on the staff.
cédez (Fr.)
slow down
celere (It.)
quick
celesta (It.)
A percussion instrument consisting of steel bars which are struck by hammers that are controlled by a keyboard
cent
“Hundredth.” A unit of measuring intervals in music. Each half-step is made up of a 100 cents
cha-cha
A Latin American dance with an insistent rhythm. Also called the cha-cha-cha
chaconne (Fr.)
- A continuous set of variations based on a repeating harmonic progression. It is very similar to a passacaglia 2. A sensual Mexican dance that was popular in Spain during the 16th century
chalumeau (Fr.)
- the lowest register of the clarinet 2. Thew 17th century name for an early oboe or clarinet 3. The chanter of a bagpipe.
chamber music
Music for a small ensemble where each part is played by only one performer and suitable for a small room.
chamber orchestra
a small orchestra
chance music
another word for aleotory music
changes
slang for chord progression
chanson (Fr.)
song
chant
unaccompanied monophonic sacred plainsong in free rhythm.
chanter
the pipe on the bagpipe where the melody is played
chanterelle (Fr.)
the highest string on a stringed instrument
chantey, shanty
a work song sung by sailors
character piece
a short instrumental composition that expresses a mood or story
Charleston
A fast American dance popular in the 1920’s
chart(s)
slang for a musical score and/or parts
chest voice
the lower register of a voice
chiesa (It.)
music to be played in the church as opposed to camera which is to be played outside the church. Literally means “church”
chimes
a set of tuned metal tubes which are struck by a hammer
chitarrone (It.)
the largest lute
chiusa (It.)
closed
choeur (Fr.)
choir, chorus
choir
a group of church singers, or singers of sacred music
choke
to quickly stop the vibration of a percussion instrument
chops
slang for musicians technique
choral, chorale
vocal music or a group of singers
chord
Three or more tones sounded simultaneously. Two tones are usually referred to as an interval or a dyad
chordophones
instruments whose sounds are created by means of strings stretched between two points.
chorister
a singer in a choir
chorus
- a group of singers not associated with a church. Singers of secular music 2. Music sung by such a group 3. The refrain or burden of a song
chromatic
- Notes foreign to a key or scale 2. A series of notes moving in half-steps
chromaticism
the use of chromatic chords and intervals
chromatic scale
a scale composed of all twelve half steps of an octave
church modes
scales originally used in medieval church music. These modes include the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian and Ionian modes
cimbalom
A large Hungarian dulcimer
cinelli (It.)
cymbals
circle of fifths
The clockwise arrangement of successive keys arranged in order of ascending fifths
circular breathing
a breathing technique used by wind instrument players where air is inhaled through the nose at the same time air is expelled from the mouth. This technique allows for sound to be sustained for an indefinite length of time.
cither, cithern
an instrument similar to a lute or guitar that was used in the 16th and 17th centuries
clam
slang for a wrong note
clarinet
a group of single-reed woodwind instruments which are made of wood or plastic. The different types include E-flat, B-flat, A, E-flat alto, B-flat bass, E-flat contra-alto, and B-flat contrabass clarinet
classical
- the musical period from 1750-1820 where form and structure was stressed over expression. Composers of this period include Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven 2 Serious or art music as opposed to folk music
clausula
- cadence 2. compositions of the 12th and 13th centuries based on a short fragment of the Gregorian chant
claves
Cuban percussion instruments consisting of cylindrical wooden blocks that are struck together
clavichord
a rectangular keyboard instrument used from the 15th to 18th century whose strings, rather than being plucked like a harpsichord, are struck by a metal wedge called a tangent
clef
the symbol written at the beginning of a staff that indicates which notes are represented by which lines and spaces
cloches (Fr.)
bells, chimes
close harmony
When the tones of a chord are as close together as possible, usually written within an octave
clusters
Groups of notes a major or minor second apart that are played simultaneously.
coda (It.)
an ending section of a movement or piece
codetta (It.)
a short coda
col (It.)
with
col arco (It.)
with the bow
coll’, colla (It.)
with the
col legno (It.)
In string playing, playing with the wood (bow-stick) part of the bow.
coll’ottava (It.)
Play the written notes and those notes one octave higher
coll’ottava bassa (It.)
Play the written notes and those notes one octave lower.
coloratura (It.)
Fast, ornamented, virtuoso-like vocal music
combo
slang for a small group of musicians, usually less than six
come prima (It.)
as before
come sopra (It.)
As above
comic opera
an opera with comical elements and a happy ending
common chord
a major or minor triad
common time
4/4 meter. A C is also used to indicate it
common tone
a note that is the same in two consecutive chords
còmodo (It.)
Comfortable, leisurely
comp
In jazz, short for accompany. An improvised chordal accompaniment usually played by a pianist or guitarist
composer
a person who writes music
compound interval
an interval greater than an octave
compound meter
a time signature where each beat is divisible by three. (6/8, 9/4, 12/8)
compression
In electronic music and mixing, to reduce the extreme louds and softs of the dynamic range.
compressor
a device used for compression
con (It.)
with
concert
A public performance of music
concertante (It.)
A piece for two or more soloists with orchestral accompaniment
concert band
an ensemble consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments
concert grand
the largest grand piano
concertina (It.)
A small instrument similar to an accordion but has a hexagonal shape and uses buttons rather than a keyboard
concertino (It.)
- A short concerto usually in one movement 2. The group of soloists in a concerto grosso
concertmaster
The first violinist in an orhcestra
concerto (It.)
A composition for orhcestra and soloist
concerto grosso (It.)
A baroque concerto that uses a full orchestra (ripieno and a group of soloists (concertino)
concert overture
an overture written as an independent composition, not as an introduction to a larger work. Frequently used to open a concert.
concert pitch
- the sounding pitch of an instrument as opposed to written pitch. 2. The note used as standard tuning for all instrumentalists of an ensemble. The standard tuning is usually A440
conduct
to direct a group of musicians
conductor
the director of a group of musicians
conductus
Sacred or secular Latin songs written in the 12th century
conga
An African dance in 2/4 where the dancers form a chain or line that moves in straight lines or circles
conjunct
successive notes of scale
consequent
- The second phrase in a musical period. 2. The answer of a fugue. Also see antecedent
conservatory
A school specializing in music
console
- The part of the organ operated by the organist. 2. An upright piano slightly taller than a spinet
consonance
Combinations of notes that produce the feeling of rest. When no further harmonic progression is necessary. Consonant intervals are major and minor thirds and sixths, and perfect fourths, fifths and octaves.
con sordino (It.)
With mute. Abbreviated con sord.
consort
An old English term for a chamber group
contra (It.)
An octave below. Literally means “against”
contrabass
the double bass
contradanza
English country dance
contrafagotto (It.)
Double bassoon-contrabassoon
contrapuntal
in the style of counterpoint
contrary motion
Two lines of music moving in opposite directions.
cor (Fr.)
Horn
cor anglais (Fr.)
English Horn
corda (It.), Corde (Fr.)
String
cornet, cornetta
A B-flat brass instrument similar to a trumpet with three valves and a conical bore
cornett
A medieval wind instrument made of wood or ivory that has holes like a woodwind instrument and a cup-shaped mouthpiece like a brass instrument
cornopean
Old name for a cornet
coro (It.)
Chorus or choir
cotillon (Fr.)
- French dance popular during the 18th and 19th centuries that would be the final dance of the evening 2. A quadrille
counterpoint
composing with two or more melodies that are to be played simultaneously. Literally “note against note”
country
An American popular music characterized by dance rhythms, a simple musical stature and down-to-earth lyrics
courante (Fr.)
A 16th-century French dance in triple meter that later became a standard suite movement
cowbell
A metal bell, similar in shape to a bell which is hung around a cow’s neck, but without a clapper and struck with a drumstick.
crab canon
a canon in which one part is played backwards-retrograde
crash cymbal
- A pair of large cymbals that are struck together to create a loud crashing sound 2. A single large cymbal struck with a mallet or drumstick
Credo (Lat.)
The third part of the Ordinary of the Mass. Means “I believe”
Crescendo (It.)
Gradually becoming louder. Abbreviated cresc.
crook
A tube inserted into a horn or trumpet that changes its pitch. Crooks were used before valves were introduced.
cross rhythm
- Simultaneous use of conflicting rhythms, for example, two notes against three. 2. Shifting the beats of a measure, for example, dividing a measure of 9/8 into 3+2+2+2 eighth notes instead of the usual 3+3+3.
crotales
Small tuned cymbals
Crotchet
Quarter Note
csárdas
A 19th-century Hungarian dance in two parts. The first part is a slow introduction (lassù) and the second part is in a quick duple time (friss)
cue
- Small notes on an instrumental part that show another instrument’s part 2. A conductor’s gesture to a performer to acknowledge an entrance 3. A musical piece in a movie
cut time
2/2 meter. Sometimes the c with a line through it is used
cycle
a group of complete pieces or songs that are to be used
cyclic, cyclical
- A musical compositions made up of several complete movements, such as sonata, suite, symphony or cantata 2. Compositions that have related thematic material in some or all of the movements
D
Abbreviation for “Deutsch,” the cataloguer of Schubert’s works. D numbers are used for Schubert’s compositions in place of opus numbers
da capo (It.)
From the head or from the beginning. Go back to the beginning
da capo al coda (It.)
Go back to the beginning of the piece and play to the “To Coda” indication, then skip down to the Coda
da capo al fine (It.)
Go back to the beginning of the piece and play to the “Fine,” which is the end of the piece
da capo aria (It.)
An opera aria in three sections, with the third being a repetition of the first
dal segno (It.)
Go back and play from the sign (an S with a slash sign) Abbreviated D.S.
dal segno al coda (It.)
Go back to the D.S. and play to the “To Coda” indication, then skip down to the Coda
dal segno al fine (It.)
Go back to the D.S. and play to the “Fine,” which is the end of the piece
damper
- On a piano, the mechanism that stops the strings from vibrating 2. Mute
damper pedal
On a piano, the pedal on the right that allows the strings to vibrate
Dampfer (Gr.)
Mute
dance
- To rhythmically move to music 2. A composition used to accompany those who are dancing
danse, danza (Fr. and It.)
Dance
dB
abbreviation for decibel
D.C.
abbreviation for da capo
decay
the gradual fading out of a sound
deceptive cadence
Where the progression moves from the dominant (V) chord to a chord other than the tonic (I) usually to the submediant (vi)
decibel
A unit for measuring the loudness or intensity of sound. Abbreviated dB
deciso (It.)
Decided, bold, with decision
decrescendo (It.)
Gradually becoming softer > abbreviated decresc.
degree
One of the notes of a diatonic scale which is assigned a number by counting up from the keynote
delicato (It.)
Delicately
demi- (Fr.)
half
descant
- The highest part in polyphonic music 2. A high obbligato part above the melody 3. The name given to the highest-pitched instrument in an instrumental family
desk
a music stand shared by two stringed instrument players
destra (It.)
right
détaché (Fr.)
detached bowing
development
The harmonic, melodic, or rhythmic elaboration of a theme
di (It.)
of, from, with, to
diapason (Gr.)
- an octave 2. The range of a voice or instrument 3. The principal or main foundation stop of an organ 3. The principal or main foundation stop of an organ 4. Standard pitch
diatonic
The notes found within a major or minor scale
didgeridoo
a wind instrument native to Australia made of wood or bamboo
die (Gr.)
the
diése, diesis (Fr. and Gr.)
sharp
Dies Irae (Lat.)
The sequence for the Requiem Mass. Literally means “day of wrath”
diluendo (It.)
becoming softer
diminished
smaller
diminished interval
minor or perfect intervals lowered by a half step
diminished seventh chord
a chord consisting of a root minor third, diminished fifth and diminished seventh. The E diminished seventh chord E, G, B flat, and D-flat
diminished triad
A triad consisting of a root, minor third, and diminished fifth. The C diminished triad is C, E flat, and G flat
diminuendo (It.)
Gradually becoming softer > Abbreviated dim.
diminution
shortening the duration of notes
direct
a marking given at the end of a staff or page that gives warning of the next note
dirge
a vocal or instrumental piece that is written to be performed at a funeral
disco
Upbeat dance music popular in the 1970’s
discothèque (Fr.)
a place where people gather to dance
disjunct motion
moving by leaps
dissonance
Two or more notes that when played together cause tension or require resolution
distortion
an electronic effect that alters the sound of an amplified instrument by making it sound less clear
divertimento (It.)
A light instrumental piece with multiple movements.
div.
abbreviation for divisi
divertissement (Fr.)
A ballet, dance or entr’acte in an opera that is not essential to the pot
divisi (It.)
Divided. Indicates that when two or more parts are written on one staff, they are to be played by separate performers. Abbreviated div.
Dixieland
A style of jazz developed in New Orleans during the early 1900’s characterized by syncopated rhythms and improvisation. The standard instrumentation includes cornet, clarinet, trombone, piano, drums, banjo (or guitar) and tuba
do (It.)
- In the fixed do system, the note C 2. In the movable-movable system, the first note of the scale
Dobro
A type of guitar with a circular metal resonator on its belly
dodecaphonic
Twelve tone music. (Serial music)
dolt
a technique on wind instruments where the main note is sounded, followed by a glissando upwards from one to five steps
dolce (It.)
sweet
dolente (It.)
Sorrowful
doloroso (It.)
Sorrowful, grieved
dominant
The fifth degree of a major or minor scale
dominant seventh chord
A chord consisting of a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh
domra
A Russian stringed instrument similar to a balalaika used during the 16th and 17th centuries
Doppel (Ger.)
Double
doppio (It.)
Double, twice
Dorian
A mode that corresponds to the whole- and half-step patterns created when playing D to D on the white keys of the piano
dot
- A dot over or under a note indicates it is to be played staccato 2. A dot to the right of a note indicates the note’s value is increased by half. A second or third dot to the right of a note indicates the note’s value is increased by half of the value of the dot preceding it
double
- To play or sing in unison with another performer. 2. To play or sing the same part an octave above or below another performer 3. To play a second instrument
doublé (Fr.)
The turn
double bar
Two vertical lines drawn through the staff that indicate the end of a section, movement, or piece
double bass
The largest and lowest sounding of the violin family
double concerto
A concerto for orchestra and two solo instruments
double flat
the symbol (bb) that lowers the pitch of a note two half steps or one whole step
double fugue
a fugue with two subjects
double horn
A French horn that has the tubing of both an F and B-flat horn. The different sets of tubing are selected by use of a fourth valve.
double reed
A mouthpiece that consists of two thin pieces of cane that vibrate against each other when air is blown through. Double reeds are used on wind instruments such as oboe, English horn, bassoon, etc.
double sharp
the symbol x that raises the pitch of a note two half steps or one whole step.
double stop
two notes played simultaneously by one player
double time
play twice as fast
double tonguing
on a flute or brass instrument, the tonguing of rapid passages by silently pronouncing “ta-ka”
douce, doux (Fr.)
sweet
downbeat
Downward motion of a conductors that indicates the first beat of a measure
down bow
to draw a bow downward from the frog to the tip. A down bow is indicated by a specific symbol
doxology (Gr.)
A song of praise and glory to God. In the Protestant church, it refers specifically to the hymn “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.”
drag
a drum rudiment consisting of two short grace notes played before the main note
droit (Fr.)
Right
drone
a long sustained note
drum
percussion instruments consisting of a cylindrical wood or metal body with a membrane head stretched over one or both ends which is struck by a drumstick, mallet, or brushes to produce sounds
drum and bugle corps
An ensemble consisting of brass and percussion instruments that perform choreographed marching maneuvers as they play
drumhead
The membrane or plastic that stretches over the top of a drum which is struck by a mallet, brushes, or drumstick
drum kit, drum set
A group of drums, cymbals and other percussion instruments positioned so that one person can easily play them
drumstick
a cylindrical wooden stick that is used to strike a drum
D.S.
abbreviation for Dal Segno
due (It.)
two
duet
- a composition for two performers 2. a composition for two performers playing on one instrument, usually the piano
dulcimer
an ancient stringed instrument consisting of wire strings stretched over a sound box that are either plucked with a pick or struck with small hammers
dumka (Pol.)
A slavonic fold ballad
dumb, domp, dumpe
English instrumental music of the 16th and early 17th centuries
duple meter
a time signature with two beats to the measure
duplet
two notes played in the time of three
duramente (It.)
harshly
duration
length
durchführung (Gr.)
- The exposition of a fugue 2. The development of a sonata form.
dyad
A group of two tones
dynamic markings
The symbols that indicate varying degrees of volume
e (It.)
and
ear training
The process of learning how to recognize and notate pitches, intervals and rhythms
ecco (It.)
echo
echo
quiet repetition of a previous phrase
écossaise (Fr.)
A French country dance usually in 2/4 time, popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
eighth note
a note half the length of a quarter note
eighth rest
a rest half the length of quarter rest
Einklang (Gr.)
Unison
Einsatz (Gr.)
- An entrance 2. An attack
Electric Bass
An electric solid-body guitar with four strings tuned to the same pitches as the double bass
electric guitar
a guitar that is electronically amplified with a pickup
electric piano
An electronic keyboard instrument that creates sounds by striking bars, reeds or strings
electronic instrument
an instrument whose sound is completely or partially created by an electronic device or is electronically amplified
electronic music
Music partially or completely created, manipulated or reproduced by electronic devices including electronic instruments, synthesizers and recording equipment
elegy
a piece in a melancholy mood usually written in honor of someone’s death
eleventh
the diatonic interval from the first to the eleventh notes of a scale
embellishment
notes which are added to ornament a melody
embouchure (Fr.)
- The position and shape of the mouth and lips of a wind player 2. A mouthpiece of a wind instrument
ému (Fr.)
With feeling, with emotion
encore (Fr.)
Again. The adding or repeating of a piece due to overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience; usually occurs at the end of a concert
end-blown flute
a recorder. A flute that is played vertically.
English Horn
an alto oboe in F, that sounds a fifth below its written pitch
enharmonic
Two notes that sound the same but are spelled differently
ensemble (Fr.)
any group of musicians performing together
entr’acte (Fr.)
An instrumental piece performed between acts of a play, opera or ballet
entrada (Sp.)
A prelude or introduction
episode
- A section of a fugue that does not inlaced the subject 2. A secondary section of a piece that does not include the main theme
equal temperament
the tuning of an octave into 12 equal semitones
eroica (It.)
Heroic
escape tone
In harmony, a non-harmonic tone approached by a step and left by a leap in the opposite direction
espressivo (It.)
Expressive. Abbreviated espress.
estampie (Fr.)
Instrumental or vocal dance music from the 13th and 14th centuries
estinto (It.)
Barely audible, as soft as possible
ethnomusicology
The study of music in relation to its cultural context
ethos (Gr.)
The ancient Greek concept that each scale implies a different character or mood
étouffé (Fr.)
muted, damped
étude (Fr.)
a study. A piece that emphasizes a specific technique
etwas (Gr.)
Somewhat
euphonium
a brass instrument similar to a baritone horn but with a larger bore and four valves
eurhythmics
a system developed by Emile Jackques-Dalcroze that teaches rhythm through the movement of the body
evaded cadence
a cadence that does not resolve where it is expected to resolve
exercise
a short technical study
exposition
- The first section of the sonata form that includes the primary theme, a transition, the secondary theme and a closing theme 2. The first section of a fugue, where the subject is stated in all of the voices
expressionism
a style of early 20th-century music where composers expressed their innermost feelings as opposed to impressionism
expression marks
words or symbols that indicate how a piece should be interpreted, i.e., articulation, dynamics, tempo, etc.
f (with fancy italics…)
The abbreviation for forte
fa, fah
- In the fixed-do system, the note F 2. In the movable-do system, the fourth note of the scale
faburden
A 15th century English compositional technique where parallel thirds and sixths are used
facile (It.)
Easy
fado (Port.)
A popular Portuguese song and dance
Fagott (Ger.)
Bassoon
fake book
A collection of popular songs where only the melody lines, lyrics and chord symbols are given.
falsetto (It.)
A method used by male singers to extend their vocal range above the normal range
fandango (Sp.)
A lively Spanish dance in triple meter
fanfare
A ceremonial prelude or flourish commonly played by brass instruments
fantaisie, fantasia, fantasy (Fr. and It.)
- Music with an improvisatory feel 2. A piece in free form 3. Improvisation
farandola, farandole (It. and Fr.)
A quick circle-dance
F clef
the bass clef
feedback
A “whining” sound created when sound being output is fed back through the input during amplification. This sound if often used by guitarists as an effect
feminine cadence
when a final chord occurs on a weak beat
fermata
A hold or pause sign (eyeball sign lol) that indicates a note should be held longer than its normal duration
ff (fancy italics)
abbreviation for fortissimo
fff (fancy italics)
Abbreviation for fortississimo
f-hole
the f-shaped holes found in many stringed instruments
fiato (It.)
“Stromenti a fiato” are wind instruments. Literally means breath
fiddle
slang for violin
fife
a small flute with six to eight holes
fifth
the interval of five diatonic steps
figured bass
A bass part with numbers that indicate the intervals of harmony that are to be played above the bass note. Figured bass was used by keyboard players in the baroque period to create accompaniments
film music
music composed or adapted for a film
fin (Fr.)
end
finale (It.)
- The last movement of a piece in several movements 2. The closing section of an opera
fine (It.)
End
fingerboard
the part of a stringed instrument where the fingers press down on the strings to produce different pitches.
finger cymbals
small cymbals in pairs that are placed on the fingers and struck together
fingering, finger
- The placement of fingers on an instrument 2. The markings in music that guide a performer’s placement of their fingers
fingerpicking
a style of guitar or banjo playin where the player uses their fingers or fingerpicks to pluck the strings
fingerpicks
metal or plastic picks that attack to each finger of the picking hand of a guitar or banjo player
Five, the Russian
A group of five Russian composers who, in the late 19th century, wrote in a nationalist style. They were Balakirev, Borodin, Cui, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov
fixed-do
In this system, the note C is always called do, as opposed to the system of movable-do
flag
A hook that, when placed on the stem of a note, indicates an eighth note. Two flags indicate a sixteenth note. Three flags indicate a thirty-second note, etc.
flageolet
A small 16th century end-blown wind instrument similar to a recorder
flam
A drum rudiment consisting of a short grace note played before the main note
flamenco (Sp.)
- A rhythmic Andalusian (Spanish) dance of song 2. A rhythmical and improvisatory style of guitar playing
flat
- The symbol (b) that indicates a note to be lowered one half step 2. When a pitch is lower than normal, i.e. out of tune
flauto (It.)
flute
flebile (It.)
Mournful
Flemish school
Renaissance composers from the Netherlands and Belgium who developed the polyphonic style of that period. Notable composers include Ockeghem and des Pres
Flexatone
A percussion instrument consisting of a thin triangular piece of steel and two wooden knobs attached to springs. When shaken, the wooden nobs strike the thin steel creating a sound similar to a musical saw
flip
a technique on wind instruments where the main note is played, raised in pitch and then is dropped into the following note
flourish
- A trumpet fanfare 2. A passage with ornamentation
flute pipes
Organ pipes that create sounds without the use of reeds
flugelhorn
a brass instrument similar to a cornet, but with a larger bore and a mellow tone
flute
A group of woodwind instruments made of a hollow wood or metal tube that is closed at one end. Sound is created by blowing into a hole near the closed end. The different types include, from highest to lowest, the piccolo, flute, G alto flute, bass flute
flûte à bec (Fr.)
Recorder
flutter tonguing
A tonguing technique on wind instruments where a tremolo effect is created by rapid fluttering of the tongue
folk music/song
- Music passed down orally from generation to generation 2. Music of a specific region
foot
The unit of measurement for the pitch and size of organ pipes
form
the organization and structure of a composition
forte (It.)
Loud, abbreviated
fortepiano (It.)
Early name for the piano
fortissimo (It.)
Very loud
fortississimo (It.)
Very, very loud
forza (It.)
With force
forzando (It.)
accented
fourth
the interval of four diatonic steps
fox trot
a ballroom dance in duple meter that originated in the Unite States around 1913
fp (fancy italics)
Abbreviation for dynamic symbol meaning loud (forte) then soft (piano)
française (Fr.)
A French country dance in triple meter
free reed
a thin tongue of metal that is fastened over an opening through which air is forced either by bellows or by the player’s lungs
French horn
a circular-shaped brass instrument with a conical bore and a mellow tone
French overture
A type of overture developed in the 18th century that has three sections: the first is slow, the second is fast and the third is slow
French sixth
A chord consisting of major third, augmented fourth, and augmented sixth above the bass. Sometimes called an “augmented six-four-three.”
frequency
The pitch of a sound determined by the number of vibrations per second that are created by a given tone
fret
thin wedges of wood, metal or ivory that are placed across the fingerboard of certain stringed instruments primarily the guitar, banjo and mandolin
fretboard
a fingerboard with frets
Freude (Gr.)
Joy
frisch (Gr.)
Vigorous, lively
frog
the end of the bow that is held by the players hand
fuga (Lat.)
- Fugue 2. In music from the middle ages until the 17th century - a canon
fugato (It.)
A passage in the style of a fugue
fughetta (It.)
a short fugue
fugue
A contrapuntal procedure in two or more parts that is based on a subject which is stated successively in each part. Elements found in fugues are the subject, answer, countersubject, stretto and episode
full score
a score where every instrumental and/or vocal part appears on its own staff
fundamental
- The root of a chord 2. The lowest note of a part appears on its own staff
funèbre (Fr.)
Funeral
funk
A highly-amplified style of rhythm and blues
fuoco
Fire, passion
furiant
A quick Bohemian dance with frequently changing rhythms and accents
fusion
A style of popular music that combines the styles of jazz and rock
fuzz tone
an electronic effect used most commonly with electric guitar that imitates the sound of an amplifier with its volume turned up to the point of distorting the sound
fz (With italics)
Abbreviation for forzando and sforzando
Gagaku
Orchestral music of the Japanese court that dates back to the 8th century
gallant
The light elegant style of the 18th century.
galliard
A spirited dance from the 15th century in triple meter
galop
a quick round dance of the mid-19th century in 2/4 time
gamelan
An Indonesian orchestra consisting of gongs, drums, cymbals, pitched percussion and some stringed and woodwind instruments
gato
A popular country dance of Argentina in 3/4 or 6/8 time
gavotte (Fr.)
A French dance of the 17th century in duple meter that begins on the upbeat
G clef
The treble clef
Gebrauchsmusik (Gr.)
Utility music. Music that is to be played by amateurs
gedämpft (Gr.)
Muted
Gehend (Gr.)
Andante
Geige (Gr.)
Violin
gemässigt (Gr.)
Moderate
gemendo (It.)
Lamenting
German Sixth
A chord consisting of a major third, perfect fifth and augmented sixth above the bass. Sometimes called an “augmented six-five-three.”
Gesang (Gr.)
Song
geschleift (Gr.)
Legato
gestopft (Gr.)
Stopped. The muting of a horn with the hand that produces a buzzing sound.
gig
slang for a musical job
gigue (Fr.)
- A dance, usually in 6/8, commonly found in a suite 2. a jig
giocoso (It.)
Humorous
Giusto (It.)
Exact, strict
glass armonica
An 18th-century instrument developed by Benjamin Franklin that consists of a set of various-sized glasses that are rubbed by a wet finger to produce different pitches. Sometimes referred as the glass harmonica
glee
Unaccompanied English secular choral music of the 18th century
glissando (It.)
- To slide from one note to another 2. On a piano, a rapid scale produced by sliding fingers over the desired keys.
Glocke (Gr.)
A bell
Glockenspiel (Gr.)
A percussion instrument made up of tuned metal bars that are arranged like a keyboard and played with mallets
Gloria (Lat.)
The second part of the Ordinary of the Mass. It means Glory (to God in the highest)
gong
A suspended circular metal plate that is struck with a large felt mallet. Also known as tam-tam
gopak
A Ukrainian folk dance in a quick 2/4 time. Sometimes spelled hopak
grace note
a small note played quickly before the beat. not to be confused with an appoggiatura
gran, grand’, grande (It.)
Large, great
gran cassa (It.)
Bass drum
grandioso (It.)
Grand, majestic
grand opera
An opera, usually in five acts, that treats a heroic, historic or mythological subject in a grand style
grand pause
A rest for all performers in an ensemble. Abbreviated G.P. and sometimes referred to a s a general pause
grand piano
A piano with its frame, strings and soundboard arranged horizontallygr
grand staff
The combination of the bass and treble staves which is commonly used to notate music for the piano
grave (It.)
Slow, heavy, solemn
gravicembalo (It.)
Harpsichord
grazia, grazioso (It.)
Grace
Gregorian Chant
Roman Catholic liturgical chants developed by Pope Gregory I
grosso, grosse (It.)
Great, large
growl
A harsh sound played on a wind instrument that imitates the growl of an animalgrun
grunge
A style of rock similar to heavy metal, popular in the 1990’s
gruppetto, groppo, gruppo (It.)
Ornaments or groups of grace notes
guaracha
A Spanish folk dance in two sections, one in triple meter, the other in duple meter
guiro
A percussion instrument consisting of a notched gourd which is “scraped” by a stick
guitar
A stringed instrument with six strings, a flat back, curved sides and a long narrow fretted neck. The strings are either plucked with the fingers, picked with a pick or strummed.
gusto (It.)
Style, zest
H.
Abbreviation for “Hoboken,” the cataloger of Haydn’s works. H numbers are used for Haydn’s compositions in place of opus numbers
habanera (Sp.)
A syncopated Cuban dance in duple meter
half note
A note one half the length of a whole note
half rest
A rest half the length of a whole rest
half step
The smallest interval commonly used which is equal to the distance between two adjacent notes on a piano keyboard or the distance of one fret on a guitar. There are 12 half steps in an octave.
hammer
Small felt-covered hammers that strike the strings of a piano
Hammerclavier (Gr.)
Pianoforte
hammer-on
A technique on stringed instruments where the first note is played, then a second note is tapped down with another finger. Both notes are played on the same string.
handbell
A musically tuned bell with a handle usually made of leather r plastic. It has a clapper which travels in one plane and is controlled by springs to prevent the clapper from resting against the bell when struck. The bell is used most often in group ringing by a handbell ringer who is part of a handbell choir
hand organ
- English barrel organ 2. Italian street organ used by organ-grinders
harmonica
- A small free reed instrument with two sets of reeds: half of them fixed to play with an exhale, and the other half with an inhale allowing different pitches for each set. They can be diatonic or chromatic
harmonic analysis
The study of harmonics or chords within a piece of music
harmonic minor
A natural minor scale with a raised seventh providing a leading tone
harmonic rhythm
The pattern created by changes of harmony throughout a composition
harmonics
notes of the harmonic series which are very clear and pure
harmonic series
A series of notes (overtones) that vibrate above a fundamental note. Some notes are out of tune
harmonium
A free-reed organ in which the air is supplied by bellows which are operated by pedals
harmony
the result produced when tones are sounded simultaneously
harp
- A stringed instrument with a triangular shape whose strings run vertically and seven pedals that change the pitch of strings 2. slang for a harmonica
harpsichord
A keyboard instrument similar to the piano, but strings are plucked by a quill rather than struck by a hammer
hastig (Gr.)
Hurrying
Hauptstimme
The principal part
haut, haute (Gr.)
High
hautbois, hautboy (Fr.)
Oboe
head
- The beginning of a piece or movement 2. The tip of a bow 3. A drumhead
head voice
The higher register of a voice
heavy metal
Highly amplified style of rock music popular from the late 1960’s through the 1980’s
heckelphone
A baritone oboe with a range one octave below the oboe
Heldentenor (Gr.)
Heroic tenor. A tenor with a robust voice, used for singing highly demanding operatic roles.
Helicon
A tuba with a circular shape designed to allow the player to carry it over the shoulder while marching.
Hemidemisemiquaver
Sixty-fourth note
Hemiola
The rhythmic relationship of three notes in the time of two, or two notes in the time of three. It is usually the alteration of 6/8 and 3/4 time.
Hertz
A unit of measuring cycles per second of waveforms. Abbreviated Hz
Heterophony (Gr.)
The simultaneous performance of modified or ornamented versions of the same melody performed by two or more singers or instrumentalists.
Hexachord
A group of six notes.
High Fidelity
sounds produced electronically with a very high quality.
Hi-hat-Cymbals
A pair of horizontally mounted cymbals on a stand which are struck together by means of a foot pedal.
Hocket
A medieval polyphonic device where on voice will stop and another will come in, usually for only one note or a short phrase, creating a “hiccuping” effect.
Homophony
Music with one melodic part that is supported by a chordal accompaniment.
Homorhythmic
When all the voices or parts move in the same rhythm.
Honky-Tonk
A loud, tinny style of ragtime piano playing from the early 20th Century.
Hook
A memorable phrase of a song repeated several times in order to intrigue or “hook” the listener.
Hornpipe
A lively English dance popular from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Humbucking Pickup
A pickup on electric guitars and basses that eliminates noise and hum.
