Timbre

Coloratura

High, florid singing involving elaborate ornamentation of a melody.

Concertino

The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto grosso.  

Harmonics

The high eerie sounds produced on a string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points. Harmonics can be played on any instrument with strings for example, violin, guitar and harp.

Ripieno

The main group of ensemble instruments in a concerto grosso.

String quartet

Two violins, a viola and a cello.

Tremolando

Literally ‘trembling’.  Rapid repetition of a note (string instrument) or rapid alternation of two notes (any instrument).