7th Grade Orchestra Exam Review Semester 2

7th Grade Orchestra Exam Review Semester 2 Vocabulary

Bar lines

Lines that divide the staff into measures.

Measure

A segment of time corresponding to a specific number of beats.

Double Bar

Indicates the end of a section or piece of music.

Clef

Symbol that indicates the pitch of the notes on the staff.

Quarter Note

A note that receives one beat in 4/4 time.

Half Note

A note that receives two beats in 4/4 time.

Quarter Rest

A symbol indicating silence for the duration of a quarter note.

Half Rest

A symbol indicating silence for the duration of a half note.

Pizzicato

Plucking the strings.

Arco

Playing with the bow.

Ledger Lines

Lines added above or below the staff to extend its range.

Time Signature

Indicates the number of beats per measure and the note value that receives one beat.

Key Signature

Collection of sharps or flats that defines the key of a piece.

Sharp Sign

A symbol that raises the pitch of a note by a half step.

Repeat Sign

Indicates a section of music that should be repeated.

First/Second Endings

Different endings to be played on different repetitions of a section.

Scale

A sequence of notes arranged in ascending or descending order.

Eighth Note

A note that receives half a beat in 4/4 time.

Whole Note

A note that receives four beats in 4/4 time.

Dotted Half Note

A note that receives three beats in 4/4 time.

Eighth Rest

A symbol indicating silence for a duration of an eighth note.

Whole Step

Interval consisting of two half steps.

Half Step

The smallest interval in Western music.

Tempo

The speed at which a piece of music is played.

Allegro

Fast tempo marking.

Moderato

Moderate tempo marking.

Ritardando

Gradually slowing down.

Fermata

A symbol indicating a note should be held for an indefinite length of time.

Articulation

The way a note is played (e.g., staccato, legato).

Slur

A curved line indicating that two different notes should be played connected

Tie

A curved line indicating that two same notes should be played connected

Accent

Emphasis on a note.

Crescendo

Gradually getting louder.

Decrescendo

Gradually getting softer.

Piano (p)

Soft dynamic marking.

Forte (f)

Loud dynamic marking.

Unison

All parts playing the same pitch.

Harmony

The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions.

Melody

A sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying.

Steady Beat

A consistent and regular pulse.

Down Bow

Moving the bow down across the string.

Up Bow

Moving the bow up across the string.

Bass Line

The lowest part in a musical texture.

Tetrachord

A set of four notes in a scale with a specific pattern of whole and half steps.

Arpeggio

A chord whose notes are played in succession.

Octave

The interval between two notes with the same name, one eight notes above the other.

Mezzo Piano (mp)

Medium soft dynamic marking.

Mezzo Forte (mf)

Medium loud dynamic marking.

Common Time

Equivalent to 4/4 time.

Cut Time

Equivalent to 2/2 time; two half notes per measure.

Intonation

Accuracy of pitch.

Flat Sign

A symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by a half step.

Triad

A three-note chord.

Tie

A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch, indicating they should be played as one sustained note.

Balance

The relative volume of different instruments or voices in an ensemble.

Blend

The uniformity of sound within an ensemble.

Marcato

A strongly accented note or chord.

Loure

A type of bowing technique where notes are gently separated within a slur.

Tremolo

A rapid repetition of a note.

M2

Major second interval.

m2

Minor second interval.

P8

Perfect octave interval.

D.C. al Fine

From the beginning to the end.

Coda

An added ending to a piece of music.

D.S. al Fine

From the sign to the end.

Dal Segno

From the sign.

Da Capo

From the beginning.

Legato

A smooth and connected style.

Pick Up Notes (Anacrusis)

A note or sequence of notes that precedes the first downbeat in a measure.

Rallentando

Gradually slowing down.

Tenuto

Holding a note for its full value or slightly longer.

Diminuendo

Gradually getting softer.

Solo

A passage or piece for one performer.