Music Theory Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for music theory terms.

Accelerando

Gradually faster.

Accent

Play the note louder.

Accidental

A sharp, flat, or natural sign that alters the pitch of a note.

Adagio

Slow.

Andante

Moving along, walking tempo.

Arpeggio

The notes of a chord played one after another.

Bar Line

Divides the staff into measures.

Double Bar

Indicates the end of a piece of music.

Flat

Lowers the pitch by one half step.

Sharp

Raises the pitch by one half step.

Natural Sign

Cancels a previous sharp or flat.

Coda

An added ending.

Da Capo (D.C.)

Repeat from the beginning.

Fine

The end.

Crescendo

Gradually louder.

Decrescendo/Diminuendo

Gradually softer.

Fortissimo

Very loud.

Piano

Soft.

Mezzo Piano

Moderately soft.

Mezzo Forte

Moderately loud.

Repeat Sign

Go back to the beginning or designated section.

Ritardando

Gradually slower.

Staccato

Play the note short and detached.

Legato

Play or sing 2 or more notes smoothly connected.

Tenuto

Hold the note for its full value.

Time Signature

Appears at the beginning of the music and contains two numbers, indicating the number of beats and the type of note receiving one beat.

Treble Clef

The clef used for higher ranges.

Bass Clef

The clef used for lower ranges.

Vivace

Lively.

Moderato

Moderately.

Largo

Very slow.