Music Terms Middle Schoolers Should Know

Question 1

arpeggio

Answer 1

notes from a chord played separately

Question 2

coda

Answer 2

music direction: a symbol that tells the performer to go back to a certain spot to repeat a section.

Question 3

D. S. al coda

Answer 3

music direction: tells the performer to go from dal segno (the sign) to the coda sign. Dal Segno = the Sign, al Coda = to the tail.

Question 4

D. S. al fine

Answer 4

music direction: go back to the dal segno (sign) and play until the end point marked Fine. del signo = the sign, al fine = to the end.

Question 5

D. C. al Coda

Answer 5

D.C. al Coda: repeat the piece until you reach the coda sign. Then skip to the next coda sign, and play the coda, a short ending section. Dal Capo = to the start, al coda = to the tail (end).

Question 6

Fine

Answer 6

The end (double bar).

Question 7

Divisi

Answer 7

A part that is separated. A part (such as clarinet 1, saxophone) that usually has 1 note at a time will have two notes on top of each other.

Question 8

Soli

Answer 8

A group of instruments playing the same thing.

Question 9

Solo

Answer 9

One person playing.

Question 10

Tutti

Answer 10

Everyone plays together (usually after a solo part).

Question 11

Dynamics

Answer 11

Volume

Question 12

Tempo

Answer 12

Speed

Question 13

Tone

Answer 13

The sound from an instrument. It can be good or bad.

Question 14

Intonation

Answer 14

Tuning. 2 or more instruments playing the same note are exactly on pitch.

Question 15

Pitch

Answer 15

The high or low of sounds.

Question 16

Embouchure

Answer 16

The way the mouth fits with the mouthpiece.

Question 17

Posture

Answer 17

The way the body is held while playing an instrument.

Question 18

Good Posture

Answer 18

Sitting up tall, hands and arms in the correct position for the instrument. This will give the player room for lungs to expand and give a good tome, keep the body from getting tired, and for fingers to move quickly if needed.

Question 19

Phrase

Answer 19

A group of notes that are slurred or played together without a space or breath.

Question 20

fermata

Answer 20

A sign that instructs a player to play as long as a director indicates or a solo play plays as long as they choose.

Question 21

LEGATO

Answer 21

Smooth, gently tongued notes

Question 22

STACCATO

Answer 22

Short, separated notes

Question 23

ARTICULATION

Answer 23

How the note is played (legato, staccato, accent, etc)

Question 24

ACCENT

Answer 24

Gives the note a more prominent sound or emphasis on certain notes

Question 25

SLUR

Answer 25

A curved line that connects notes that are different and slurred together

Question 26

TIE

Answer 26

A curved line that connects two or more notes that extends the number of beats a note is held.

Question 27

MELODY

Answer 27

The main idea of a song.

Question 28

HARMONY

Answer 28

The combination of notes that support a melody.

Question 29

TIME SIGNATURE

Answer 29

Determines how many beats are in a measure, and what kind of note gets 1 beat.

Question 30

KEY SIGNATURE

Answer 30

Determines which notes in a song will be played flat, sharp, or natural.

Question 31

DIMINUENDO

Answer 31

Get gradually softer

Question 32

ACCELLERANDO

Answer 32

Get gradually faster

Question 33

ADAGIO

Answer 33

Moderately slow tempo

Question 34

ANDANTE

Answer 34

Moderate tempo

Question 35

LARGO

Answer 35

Very slow tempo

Question 36

PRESTO

Answer 36

Very fast tempo

Question 37

fp

Answer 37

Fortepiano - playing loud then suddenly playing soft