Music/Italian Terms Flashcards
The 5 lines on which music is written on
Stave
Score
Musical name for sheet music
The clef for higher-pitched melody instruments (flute, oboe, violin, soprano voices etc.)
Treble clef
Bass clef
The symbol/clef for low pitched instruments (Tuba, trombone, bass etc.)
Alto clef
The symbol/clef for mid-ranged/low female voices
The symbol/clef for mid-ranged/high male voices
Tenor clef
A symbol that makes a note a 1/2 step or a semitone higher
Sharp (#)
Flat (b)
A symbol that makes a note a 1/2 step or a semitone lower
A symbol that cancels a sharp or a flat from an accidental or key signature
Natural
Phrase marks
A symbol to indicate the length of a phrase. Helps the performer to know where to breathe.
Tie
A curved line to join two of the same pitch. (When played, sounding like one note)
Rapid alternation between the indicated note and the note directly above it
Trill
An ornament involving 3 notes, starting on the note above the indicated note
Turn
Upper/lower mordent
An ornament involving 2 notes
Acciaccatura
An ornament involving two or three notes. Sometimes called a crushed note.
Appogiatura
Similar to acciaccatura but the notes are played in a variety of rhythm, indicated by the note on the score.
Anacrusis / Up-beat
A note or group of notes at the start of a phrase, beginning on an upbeat.
A regular, consistent pattern of beats indicated by the time signature
Metre
The ‘heartbeat’ of the music. Although the music may have different rhythms, the pulse will remain steady.
Pulse
An interval of silence between notes
Rest
When two different rhythmic patterns are played together at the same time
Cross rhythm
Polyrhythm
When two or more rhythmic patterns, contrasting in metre are played at the same time.
Swing rhythm
Syncopated, jazzy rhythm
Stepwise / Scalic
Movement of a melody upwards or downwards using the notes of the scale
