Musical Terms 2 Flashcards
Ad libitum
free, tempo and phrasing at the discretion of the conductor
agitado
agitated
alberti bass
broken chord style
alla breve
cut time with the half note receiving the beat.
allargando
(allarg.) slowing down
Anacrusis
upbeat or pickup
animato
spirited, animated
arco
using the bow of a string instrument as opposed to plucking or “pizzicato.”
Boca chuisa
literally “closed mouth”, humming
Caesura
the “train tracks,” all stop
Calando
gradually diminishing
Cantabile
in a singing style
Col legno
using the wood of the bow on a string instrument.
Colla parte
following the soloist’s part especially with regard to tempo
Con brio
vigorously, “with fire”
Con sordino
with a mute - often muted strings
Con moto
with motion
Continuo
Baroque accompaniment ensemble that typically includes a keyboard instrument such as harpsichord or organ, and a bass instrument such as bass viol, cello, or bassoon)
Corno
horn (Italian)
Cor anglaise
English horn (French)
Da capo
literally “at the head” go back to the beginning abbr. “DC”.
Dal segno
back to the sign. (“D.S.” )
Détaché
detached style of bowing, changing direction on each note
Down bow
pulling the bow of a string instrument, notated with the “table”
Fermata
hold, at the director’s discretion
Forzando, forzato, sforzando
sudden strong accent
Frog
end of the bow in a string players hand
