ABRSM Theory: Tempo, Scales, and Music Terms

Grave

Very slowly, 25-45 bpm

Largo

Broadly, 40-60 bpm

Allegro

Fast and bright, 120-168 bpm

Rallentando

Gradually slowing down

Rubato

Freedom in tempo

Affettuoso

Tenderly, with affection

Animé (French)

Animated/lively

Langsam (German)

Slow

C Major

No sharps or flats

D Major

2 sharps (F#, C#)

Natural Minor Scale

T-S-T-T-S-T-T

Harmonic Minor Scale

Natural minor with raised 7th note

Melodic Minor Scale

Raise 6th and 7th ascending, revert descending

Scale Degree 1

Tonic

Scale Degree 7

Leading tone

Perfect 5th

7 half steps between two notes

Major 3rd

4 half steps

Minor 6th

8 half steps

Compound Interval

Interval greater than an octave

Augmented Interval

Widened by one semitone from major/perfect

Diminished Interval

Narrowed by one semitone from minor/perfect

Tonic Triad

Triad built on the tonic

Primary Triads

I, IV, V triads in a key

First Inversion

Third of the chord is the lowest note

Second Inversion

Fifth of the chord is the lowest note

Supertonic Triad

Triad built on the second scale degree

Compound Time Signature

Each beat divides into 3 (e.g. 6/8, 9/8)

Irregular Time Signature

Cannot be evenly divided into duple/triple (e.g. 5/8, 7/8)

6/8 Time

2 beats per bar, each beat = 3 eighth notes

9/16 Time

3 beats per bar, each beat = 3 sixteenth notes

Duplets

2 notes in the space of 3 in compound time

Appoggiatura

Leaning note, resolves to principal note

Acciaccatura

Very short grace note, played quickly before main note

Trill

Rapid alternation between two notes

Mordent

Single alternation with neighboring note (upper/lower)

Turn

Sequence: upper, principal, lower, principal

Transposing Instrument

Sounds different pitch from written (e.g. trumpet, clarinet)

Transposition by Major 2nd

Write notes a tone higher (e.g. Bb instruments)

Tenor Clef

Marks middle C on the 4th line

Perfect Cadence

V → I chord progression

Plagal Cadence

IV → I chord progression

Imperfect Cadence

Any chord → V

Cadence

Harmonic progression that concludes a phrase

Harmonizing scale degree 2

Use ii or V chord

Woodwind Instruments

Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon

Pizzicato

Pluck the string

Con sordini

With mute

Una corda

Use the left pedal on piano

Sul ponticello

Play near the bridge (strings)

Anacrusis

Pickup note(s) before the first strong beat

Open Score

Each part on its own staff

Short Score

Condensed version with multiple parts per staff