intonation
pitch accuracy
tone
the quality of sounds produced by the instrument and player
articuation
the style in which notes are performed with the bow
dynamics
the level of volume used when playing
tempo
the speed of the music
forte
dynamic marking that means to play strongly and loudly
piano
dynamic marking that means to play softly
arco
to play with the bow
pizzicato
to pluck the string
allegro
tempo marking meaning lively and fast
mezzo forte
dynamic marking meaning medium loud
mezzo piano
dynamic marking meaning medium soft
adagio
tempo marking meaning very slow
crescendo
to gradually increase in volume
decrescendo
to gradually decrease in volume
ritardando
to gradually slow down the tempo
accelerando
to gradually speed up the tempo
sharp
to raise a note by one half step
flat
to lower a not by one half step
natural
when a note is neither sharp nor flat
accent
to place emphasis on a particular note
staccato
articulation style that keeps notes short and detached
spiccato
a bow style that is lightly bounced off of the string
legato
articulation style where notes sound smooth and connected
tenuto
to hold a note for its full notated value
rallentando
to gradually slow down
marcato
heavy, accented bow style
con sordino
to play with a mute
senza sordino
to remove the mute from the instrument
enharmonic
two notes that sound the same, but are spelled differently
cantabile
to play in a singing style
dolce
to play sweetly
allegretto
tempo marking that is slightly slower than allegro
caesura
a sudden pause in the musics
sforzando
a sudden, strong accident
vibrato
technique in which the pitch is fluctuated to create a singing style
loure
bowing style that gives a slight separation in a slurred passage
dissonance
two or more notes that when played together cause tension
sul ponticello
to play on or near the bridge
glissando
to slide from one note to another
col legno
to play with the wood side of the bow
vivace
tempo marking that is faster than Allegro, also means lively
anacrusis
upbeat or pickup
sul tasto
to play over the fingerprint
andante
tempo marking meaning “walking pace”
poco tranquillo
calm and relaxed style
piu mosso
indicates the music should move faster
A tempo
original tempo
accelerando
tempo gradually speeds up
divisi
when written parts are divided amongst stand partners