Music exam

Time signature

the number of beats per bar in a piece of music.

Tempo

The overall speed of a piece of music.

Adagio

Slow speed.

Andante

Walking pace

Moderato

Moderately fast speed.

Allegro

Fast speed.

Vivace

Very fast and lively speed.

Presto

Very, very fast speed.

Accelerando

Gradually speeding up the pace.

Ritardando

Gradually slowing down the pace.

Rubato

Flexible tempo where the performer slightly speeds up and slows down for expressive effect

Accompaniment

Supporting harmony chords or rhythm played under the main melody.

Dynamics

The volume of the sound, indicating how loud or soft the music is played.

Pianissimo

Very soft volume level.

Piano (dynamic)

Soft volume level.

Mezzo piano

Moderately soft volume level.

Mezzo forte

Moderately loud volume level.

Forte

Loud volume level.

Fortissimo

Very loud volume level.

Crescendo

Gradually increasing in volume.

Decrescendo

Gradually decreasing in volume.

Riff

A short melodic phrase that is repeated throughout a song.

Syncopation

Emphasis placed on the weak beats of the bar.

Backbeat

Emphasis placed specifically on beats 2 and 4.

Staggered entry

Arrangement technique where instruments join the performance one at a time.

Texture

The thickness of the music determined by how many layers of sound are present.

Monophonic

A single layer of sound with no accompaniment.

Homophonic

A dominant melodic line supported by an accompaniment.

Polyphonic

Two or more independent melodies playing simultaneously and competing for prominence.

Legato

Smooth and connected articulation with notes held to their full length.

Staccato

Short, crisp, and detached articulation.

Glissando

A continuous slide upward or downward from one pitch to another.

Hook line

The most memorable melodic or lyrical line of a song, often serving as its title.

Tone colour

The distinct sonic quality or timbre of an instrument or voice.

Double stopping

Playing two notes at the same time on a bowed string instrument.

Falsetto

An artificially high vocal register used above a singer's normal range.

Vibrato

A rapid, slight fluctuation in pitch that adds warmth and richness.

Pizzicato

Plucking the strings of an instrument with the fingers instead of using a bow.

Treble clef lines

Notes on the staff lines from bottom to top: E, G, B, D, F.

Treble clef spaces

Notes in the staff spaces from bottom to top: F, A, C, E.

Bass clef lines

Notes on the staff lines from bottom to top: G, B, D, F, A.

Bass clef spaces

Notes in the staff spaces from bottom to top: A, C, E, G.