Symbols and Notation Flashcards
Comprehensive study of terms. symbols, and concepts in modern music theory.
What is the Staff?
The staff is the fundamental latticework of music notation, upon which symbols are placed. The five staff lines and four spaces correspond to pitches of the diatonic scale.
Define piano
The music is to be played softly
Define pianissimo
Music is to be played very softly
Define mezzo piano
The music is to be played “medium soft”
Define Forte
Music is to be played loud
Define forte-piano
Music is to be played initially loud, then immediately softly.
What is the G clef? (Treble clef)
The centre of the spiral defines the line or space as G above middle C.
What is the *C clef * (also called the alto clef and *tenor clef *) ?
The C or alto clef, points to the line (or space, rarely) representing middle C . Positioned here, it makes the centre line on the staff middle C. This clef is used in modern notation for the viola. further reading
What is the Bass clef or F clef?
The line or space between the dots denotes F below middle C
What is the Neutral clef?
It is used for instruments without pitch, such as percussion instruments.
or
What are bar lines?
Bar lines are used to separate measures.
What are double bar lines?
Double bar lines separate two sections or phrases, usually where a change in key or time signature occurs.
What is a dotted bar line?
A dotted bar line subdivides long measures into shorter sections.
What is or da capo?
Tells the performer to repeat playing of the music from the beginning.
What is or dal segno?
Tells performer to repeat playing music starting at the nearest Segno ( )
(This is followed by* al fine* or al coda, just as with da capo).
What is a Segno?
Segno is the signal marking where the repeat from the Segno begins.
What is ottava alta or 8va?
The 8va sign (pronounced ottava alta) is placed above the staff to indicate the passage is to be played one octave higher.
What is ottava bassa or 8vb?
The 8vb sign (ottava bassa) is placed below the staff to indicate the passage is to be played one octave lower.
What is Quindicesima or 15ma?
The 15ma sign (quindicesima alta) is placed above the staff to indicate the passage is to be played two octaves higher.
What is quindicesima 15mb?
The 15mb sign (quindicesima bassa) is placed below the staff to indicate the passage is to be played two octaves lower.
What is a Coda?
A forward jump to ending passage, marked with the coda ( ) sign. Only used after playing through al coda, or al coda.
What is Appoggiatura?
The first 1/2 of the principal note’s duration has pitch of the grace note (or 2/3 duration if the principal note is a dotted note).
What is Acciaccatura?
Played at the same time as principal note, the grace note is used to create dissonance in a harmony.
What is a heavy (or bold) double bar line?
Denotes the end of a piece of music.
What is a large / maxima note?
Octuple whole note (or octuple note)
What is a long note?
A quadruple whole note (or quadruple note)
What is a breve?
A double whole note (or double note)
What is a semibreve?
A whole note
What is a minim?
A half note
What is a Crochet?
A quarter note
What is a Quaver?
An eighth note
What is a semiquaver?
A sixteenth note
What is a demisemiquaver?
A 32nd note (half as long as a sixteenth note).
What is a beamed note?
Beams connect eighth notes (quavers) and shorter value notes. They reflect the rhythmic grouping of notes.
What is a beamed note?
Beams connect eighth notes (quavers) and shorter value notes. They reflect the rhythmic grouping of notes.
What is Sforzando?
A sharp, fierce accent on a single sound or a chord. Also applies to the sequence of sounds or chords under or over which it is placed.
What is a Staccato?
The note is to be played shorter, in a stronger manner, as compared to the surrounding notes.
What is staccatissimo or spiccato?
An even stronger, more accentuated Staccato.
What is an accent?
A note that is played louder or with a harder attack than surrounding unaccented notes. May appear on notes of any duration.
What is a tenuto?
This symbol indicates that a note should be played for its full value, or slightly longer; it may also indicate a slight dynamic emphasis.
What is a Marcato?
Played somewhat louder, or more forcefully than a note with a regular accent mark. Used in organ notation to denote that a pedal note is to be played with the toe.
What is a Fermata?
A note, chord or rest sustained longer than its customary value. Usually appears over all parts at the same metrical location in a piece, to show a halt in tempo.
What is a Mordent?
To rapidly play the principal note, the next higher note, then again the principal note (all in the duration of the principal note).
What is a Mordent (inverted)?
To play the principal note, then the next lower note, then again the principal note (all in the duration of the principal note).
What is a Turn?
When placed directly above the note, the turn (also known as a gruppetto) indicates a sequence of upper auxiliary note, principal note, lower auxiliary note, and a return to the principal note. When placed to the right of the note, the principle note is played first, followed by the above pattern.
or
What is an inverted turn?
Placing a vertical line through the turn symbol or inverting it indicates the order of the auxiliary notes is to be reversed.
What is a Trill?
A rapid alteration between the specified note and the next higher note within its duration. When followed by a wavy horizontal line, this indicates an extended or running trill.
What is a Crescendo?
A gradual increase in volume (of a section of music).
What is a diminuendo or decrescendo?
A gradual decrease in volume (also called a decrescendo).
