orch vocab

Accelerando

Accelerando

gradually faster

Al fine

"To the end" - after D.C. ir D.S.

Allargando

gradually slower and broader

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 if the bow

A tempo

return to the original tempo

Basso continuo

Charateristic of Baroque music consisting of a bass part that is played throughout the piece, also called toroughbass.

Cantabile

in a singing style

coda

Closing measures of a composition

Col legno

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 (D.C.)

return to the beginning, "The Head".

Dal Segno (D.S.)

return to the sign, usually followed by an indication to stop at the fine or jump to a coda.

Dimuendo

gradually softer

Divisi

Divide the parts/notes

dolce

Sweetly

Ensemble

Group of musicians who perform collectively.

Grace Note

Quick, ornamental note that proceeds the main note; appears small.

Harmonics

Notes that are achieved via placing one's finger lightly on nodes along the string.

Legato

smooth and connected

L'istesso tempo

The same tempo. When the meter changes (e.g. 2/4 to 6/8), the tempo and beats per measure stay the same.

Marcato

marked, accented, with martele

meno

Less

Meter

Measure of time, grouping of beats into regular patterns (e.g. 4/4, 2/4, 3/4)

Molto

Very much, a great deal.

Morendo

dying away, diminishing volume

Mosso

motion

Niente

Nothing. At the end of a decresc.; decrease the volume to nothing.

Overture

musical introduction to a long musical piece; Ex. overtures for peace

Pesante

Heavy

Piu

more

Pizzicato

plucking the strings

Poco a poco

Little by little

Quartet

4 players

Quintet

5 players

Ritardando

gradually slower

Scordatura

unconventional tuning of stringed instruments

Sempre

Always

Senza

Without

Septet

7 players

Sextet

6 players

Simile

In a similar manner

Soli

the entire section, but playing in a solo-like manner

Solo

Single performer

Sordino

Mute

Subito

Suddenly/instantly

Staccato

short and detached

Stringendo

Also gradually faster

Sul ponticello

play near the bridge

Sul tasto

play over the fingerboard

Suite

Set of songs/dances

Tempo

Speed of beat

Tenuto

Soft accent; played with length

Tremolo

Rapid repetition of a note for a certain amount of time.

trio

3 players

tutti

all instruments together

Una corda

All on one string.

Largo

Very slow

Adagio

Slow

Andante

moderately slow; at a walking pace

Moderato

Medium tempo; between andante & allegro

Allegro

lively and fast

Vivace

Lively and brisk

Presto

Very fast and lively

Detache

smooth, connected bow stroke, not slurred

Hooked bow

Two or more notes played in the same bow direction with a stop between each note

Louree

A hooked bowing where the bow does not stop, but each note is caused to sound by adding weight with the index finger. Also called portato.

Martele

hammered; heavily accented staccato

Spiccato

bouncing bow

Slur

Many notes played under one bow.

Order of Sharps

F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

Order of Flats

Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb