Band Exam Review Spring 2025

Flashcards for Band Exam Review Spring 2025

Legato

Smooth and connected.

Marcato

Like a march; accented and separated.

Maestoso

Majestically.

Tenuto

Tongued, but full value.

Slur

Move between notes without rearticulating with the tongue.

Staccato

Light and separated.

Sostenuto

Sustain all the tones.

Phrase

A complete musical idea or sentence.

Ictus

The point of the conductor’s pattern where the “beat” actually occurs.

D.S. al Fine

Repeat to the Sign and stop at the Fine.

D.S. al Coda

Repeat to the Sign and take the Coda.

D.C. al Fine

Repeat to the beginning and stop at the Fine.

D.C. al Coda

Repeat to the beginning and take the Coda.

Ritardando

Gradually slow down.

Accelerando

Gradually speed up.

Stringendo

A little faster, more strenuous.

Fortissimo

As loud as you can play with a great tone and in control.

Pianissimo

As soft as you can play with a great tone and in control.

Crescendo

Start soft and gradually get louder.

Decrescendo

Start loud and gradually get softer.

Poco a Poco

Little by little.

Non Troppo

Not too much.

Prestissimo

Very fast!

Allegro

Fast.

Moderato

Moderately fast.

Andante

A walking tempo.

Largo

Slow.

Grave

Extremely slow, typically slowest tempo marking.

Con

With.

Senza

Without.

Brio

Bright, Brightness.

Time Signatures (top number)

Tells us “how many” beats per measure.

Time Signatures (bottom number)

Tells us “what type” of note gets one beat.

Key Signatures (Flats)

Reading the flats left to right, find the next to last one from the right. That is the name of the key.

Key Signatures (Sharps)

Find the last sharp on the right, and move up one-half step.

Crescendos

Need to happen as late as possible.

Notes preceding a rest

Need to be elongated slightly.

Shorter note tied over from a longer note.

Should generally be released and a breath or lift taken.

Ensemble playing

Must breathe together.

Last note of a phrase.

Should generally be lengthened in order to finish the phrase correctly.

Subdividing

The ability to hear rhythmic subdivision in your mind’s ear while playing in order to keep an accurate tempo.

Articulation, note shape and length

Help to determine the correct style.

Melody

Typically the most important part.

Tuba (in a chorale)

Should be the last instrument to release a long note.