Music Theory Review

Syncopation

The practice of stressing the “weak” or “up beat” within music

Interval

The vertical distance between two notes

Enharmonic Pitches

Two pitches that are the same with different names. Eb = F G# = Ab

Accidentals

A symbol that alters the pitch of a given note

Flat

Lowers the pitch by half-step

Sharp

Raises the pitch by a half-step

Natural

Cancels out any and all sharps and flats applied to the pitch

Whole step

The distance of two half-steps

Half-step

Two notes directly next to each other with no note in between; Smallest measurable distance between notes in western tonal music

Unison

The act of multiple or all voice parts singing the same melody at the same time; typically written as unis.

Divisi

Practice of dividing music into multiple voice parts; typically written as div. after a unison section.

Tie

A curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch, combining the length of the two notes

Slur

A curved line that connects two notes of different pitch to indicate connection while moving through notes, often on the same syllable or vowel

Penultimate

Second to last

Forte

Loud and full

Mezzoforte

Medium loud and full

Piano

Soft

Mezzopiano

Medium Soft

Fortissimo

Very loud and full

Pianissimo

Very soft and full