Orchestra Semester/Final Exam Terms

Accelerando

increasing gradually in tempo.

al fine

Literally, “To the end.” Used to mark the end following a D.C or D.S.

allargando

growing broader and slowing down. Sort of like a ritardando.

arrangement

an adaptation of a given composition into a form other than what it was originally written for, usually indicated as: Mozart/Wykoski or arr. Wykoski.

arco

with the hair of the bow

a tempo

back to the original tempo

basso continuo

a characteristic of Baroque music consisting of a bass part that runs continuously throughout a work, also called thoroughbass

cantabile

singingly

coda

the closing few measures of a composition, added to the end to give the composition closure

col legno

strike the strings with the wood of the bow

con

with.

con gusto

with energy

cue notes

very small notes written in a part to indicate what other players are playing, the purpose is to aid the player in keeping their place in the music.

da capo

back to the beginning of the piece; indicated by D.C. Literally, “The head.”

dal segno

go back to the sign. Usually followed by an indication to stop at the fine or jump to a coda.

Diminuendo

Getting softer. Opposite of crescendo.

divisi

divide the parts or notes; in a two-note chord the outside player plays the top note and the inside player plays the bottom note

dolce

sweetly

ensemble

group of musicians that perform as a unit

grace note

A quick, ornamental note placed before the main note. Usually appears on the page smaller than normal notes.

harmonic

Notes that are achieved when the performer lightly places his finger on nodes along the string. The resulting sound is very clear and pristine.

Legato

Smooth and connected. No separation at all.

L’istesso tempo

the same tempo, an indication in a composition that indicates the beat remains constant when the meter changes, in the case of 2/4 to 6/8, the meter is still counted with two beats per measure but the tempo or speed of the beat stays the same.

marcato

marked, accented, and usually a bit shorter. Played by using a martele bow stroke

meno

less (I.e. meno mosso means less motion or slower)

meter

measure of time, the grouping of beats into regular patterns, 4/4, 2/4 and ¾ are the most common meters

molto

very much, a great deal.

morendo

dies away, diminishes in volume

mosso

motion

niente

nothing. A dynamic mark that most often will appear at the end of a decrescendo, indicating that the performer should decrease volume until the note is no longer sounding. Often written as n

overture

the introductory music for an opera, ballet, oratorio, musical, or other work.

Pesante

heavy

piu

more.

pizzicato

pluck string with fingers

poco a poco

little by little

quartet

four players

quintet

five players

ritardando

slowing in tempo

scordatura

the practice of tuning the strings of a stringed instrument differently than the standard tuning. generally used to extend an instrument’s range, or to make certain passages easier or more possible to perform.

Sempre

Always.

senza

without

septet

seven players

sextet

six players

simile

in a similar manner. Continue the established pattern of bowing or articulation.

soli

the entire section, but playing in solo-like manner

solo

a single performer

sordino

mute

subito

suddenly or instantly. Subito forte is a sudden change to forte from another dynamic.

staccato

Separated. Not connected.

Stringendo

accelerating. Another word for accelerando.

sul ponticello

a directive to perform the indicated passage of a composition by bowing the strings as close as possible to the bridge of the instrument.

sul tasto

a directive to perform the indicated passage of a composition by knowing the strings close to or directly over the fingerboard of the instrument.

suite

a set of songs or dance. Most popular in the Baroque, but also in modern settings where selections from operas or musicals are performed.

tempo

the speed of the beat. sometimes measured according to beats per minute.

Tenuto

A very soft accent, often played with quite a bit of length

tremolo

playing the note over and over within the indicated note value. Can be measured or unmeasured

trio

three players

tutti

all instruments together

una corda

literally “one string”. Indication to play a passage entirely on one string (shifting), instead of crossing higher or lower.