Untitled

accent

to be played with emphasis

adagio

slowly

crescendo

gradually getting louder

decrescendo

gradually getting softer

dynamics

volume

fermata

hold

flat

lower by 1/2 step

forte

loud

half note

two beats in common time

half rest

two beats in common time

key signature

indicates #s & bs to be played

legato

smooth, connected

molto

much

natural

returns the pitch to its natural state

ostinato

repeated musical figure

piano

soft

poco

little

quarter note

worth one beat in common time

quarter rest

worth one beat in common time

ritardando

gradually getting slower

rubato

freely

sharp

raise by 1/2 step

simile

same

staccato

detached, separated

tempo

speed

tenuto

connected, full value

time signature

indicates beats per measure and which note receives one beat

tutti

all

whole note

four beats in common time

whole rest

four beats in common time

arpeggio

chord tones played in succession

trill

rapid alternation between two successive tones

furioso

furiously, wildly

con sordino

with mute

glissando

slide

hemiola

rhythm that suggests a different time signature

quasi

seemingly, comparatively

texture

musical layers

timbre

tone color

counterpoint

composition with two or more simultaneous melodies

concerto

extensive composition for a solo instrument

cadenza

an elaborate solo passage

chanson

song

allegretto

moderately fast

alle breve

cut time