9th Grade Orchestra Final Exam Study Guide (December 2025)

Accelerando

Gradually getting faster

Ritardando

Gradually getting slower

Crescendo

Gradually getting louder

Decrescendo

Gradually getting softer

Mosso

A tempo marking indicating an animated, rapid, or faster pace

Pìu

An Italian term that means "more" and is used to instruct a performer to increase something

Solo

A section where one performer takes the spotlight to perform alone

Tutti

Indicates that all performers of the ensemble should perform together

Modulation

The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music

A Tempo

Returning to the original tempo

Sforzando

To play a specific note or chord with sudden, strong emphasis or accent, creating an immediate forceful burst of volume that quickly fades, causing the sound to stand out dramatically

Tenuto

To play a note or chord with its full value, sustained, and often with a slight emphasis or weight

Sempre

A directive telling performers to maintain a specific quality, such as tempo, volume, or style, continuously throughout a passage or piece

Tonic

The fundamental note and chord (the first degree of a scale) that serves as the central point, or "home base," of a key, providing stability and resolution in tonal music

Subito

An Italian term meaning “suddenly” or “immediately,” used to indicate a swift, abrupt change in dynamics, tempo, or expression

Staccato

An articulation that involves playing notes short, crisp, and detached

Legato

An articulation that involves playing notes long, smooth, and connected

Hooked Bowing

A string technique where two or more notes are played in the same bow direction (both up or both down) but with a slight separation or pause between them, creating a "choppy" or detached yet connected sound, often notated with a slur over staccato or tenuto dots.

Tie

A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch

Slur

A curved line connecting two notes of the different pitch

Tone

The distinct quality or “color” of a sound

Accidental

A symbol (sharp ♯, flat ♭, or natural ♮) that temporarily alters the pitch of a note.

*These notes are not in the key signature

Piano

A dynamic marking (abbreviated as p) that means “quiet”

Forte

A dynamic marking (abbreviated as f) that means “loud”

Mezzo

In Italian, Mezzo means “half” or “medium” and modify dynamics to indicate a moderate level

Fermata

Holding a note longer than its original value