Vocabulary Flashcards
Cantabile
Singing or performing in a melodious and graceful style, full of expression
Caesura
Break or interruption in music, notates by two diagonal lines often referred to as railroad tracks. This break can be of any length at the discretion of the conductor
Chorale
A hymn of the Lutheran church, usually written for four voice harmony
Coda
The closing few measures of a composition, usually not a part of the main theme groups of the standard form of a composition, but a finish theme added to the end to give the composition closure
Con brio
A directive to perform the indicated passage with vivacity or spirit
Da capo
A directive to a performer to go back to the beginning of the composition
Dolce
A directive to musicians to perform the indicated passage of the composition sweetly, softly, or with tender emotion
Fuoco
A directive to perform a certain passage with energy, fire, passion
Giocoso
A directive to perform a certain passage in a happy, or merry manner
Grandiose
A directive to perform the designated passage of the composition in a majestic, grand, noble style
Interval
The distance between two pitches
L’istesso tempo
The same tempo; the beat remains constant when the meter changes
Non troppo
A directive to perform a certain passage of a composition “moderately” or combined with other directives to mean “not too much”
Piu
Italian term for more. Typically used to modify tempo markings as in piú mossi” meaning more motion
Rubato
A practice common in romantic compositions of taking part of the duration from one note and giving it to another; it involves a performer tastefully stretching, slowing, or hurrying the tempo as she/he sees fit, thus imparting flexibility and emotion into the performance
