Marching Band Final

Tempo or Tempo I

Return to the original tempo.

Accelerando (accel.)

Gradually increase speed.

Accent (\>)

A symbol used to indicate emphasis on one or more notes.

Accidentals: Sharp (\#)

Raises a pitch a half step.

Flat ( b )

Lowers a pitch a half step.

Natural ( n )

Cancels a sharp or flat.

Adagio

Very slow tempo.

Allegretto

Lively, but not too fast tempo.

Allegro

Fast tempo.

Andante

Medium slow tempo.

Breath Mark (')

A place to take a breath.

Cantabile

To play in a singing style.

Coda

A section added to a composition to form a conclusion or ending. The coda sign is used to indicate where the coda begins.

Common Time ( c )

Another name for the 4/4 time signature.

Con Espessione or Espressivo (Con Espr.)

To play with expression.

Con Moto

With motion; animated

Crescendo (cresc.)

Gradually increase volume.

Cut Time/Alla Breve ( C )

In cut time, notes and rests are half the value of those found in 4/4 time.

Da Capo (D.C.)

A sign used to indicate that the composition is to be repeated from the beginning.

D.C. al Fine

Repeat from the beginning and end at the word Fine.

Da Segna (D.S.)

An Italian word meaning the sign.

D.S. al Fine

Repeat from the sign and end at the word Fine.

Diminuendo (dim.)

Gradually decrease volume. Also seen as decrescendo (decresc.)

Dotted half note

3 beats in 4/4 time.

Dotted quarter note

1 1/2 beats in 4/4 time.

Duet

A composition for two performers of equal importance.

Dynamics

Words, abbreviated words, or signs that indicate a degree of volume.

Eighth note/rest

1/2 beat in 4/4 time.

Enharmonic tones

Notes that sound the same but are "spelled" differently. i.e. F\#/Gb

Extended measure rest

In counting more than one measure rest, substitute the number of the measure for the first beat. Be sure to check the time signature for the number of beats in each measure.

Fermata or hold ( U )

When placed above a note or rest, they may be held for any number of beats. Watch the conductor.

Fine

An Italian work meaning the end or close.

First and second endings

Play through the piece to the repeat sign, including the 1st ending. Go back and play again, taking the second ending instead.

Forte (f)

A loud volume.

Fortissimo (ff)

A very loud volume.

Half note/rest

2 beats in 4/4 time.

Harmony

A combination of tones that blend when sounded

Key Signature

A key signature is one or more flats or sharps that appear at the beginning of a piece immediately following the clef sign and preceding the time signature. These flats or sharps effect all notes by the same name throughout the entire piece. The number of flats or sharps determines the key in which the piece is written.

Legato

Notes are played smoothly and are connected. No seperation. Sometimes indicated by the placement of lines under or over the notes.

Lento

Very slow tempo.

Maestoso

Majestic, stately, grand.

Major

A musical chord or scale sounding "happy".

Marcato

Short, heavy notes.

Measure repeat sign

Play the preceding measure again.

Mezzo Forte (mf)

Medium loud volume.

Mezzo Piano (mp)

Medium soft volume.

Minor

Solemn and sad in sound.

Moderato

Moderate tempo.

Pianissimo (pp)

Very soft volume.

Piano (p)

Soft volume.

Pickup notes

Notes that are a part of an incomplete measure typically at the beginning of a piece.

Poco a Poco

Little by little.

Presto

Very fast tempo.

Quarter note/rest

1 beat in 4/4 time.

Rallentando (Rall.)

Gradually slower and broader.

Rehearsal Marks

Numbers or letters used to identify places to begin within a composition.

Repeat sign

Repeat from the beginning of the piece or from the backwards repeat sign.

Ritard/Ritardando (rit.)

Gradually slow down.

Sforzando (sfz)

A strong accent on a single note or chord.

Sixteenth note/rest

1/4 beat in 4/4 time.

Slur

A curved line that connects two or more notes of different pitch.

Sostenuto

Sustained.

Staccato

Notes are played short and detached. The opposite of legato. Sometimes indicated by the placement of dots under or over the notes.

Syncopation

A rhythmic figure that places the emphasis on the weak beat(s).

Tempo

Rate of speed.

Tenuto (ten.)

A slight rhythmic stress.

Tie

A curved line that connects two or more notes of the same pitch.

Time Signature

The time signature is found at the beginning of each piece. The top number tells how many beats in each measure and the bottom number tells what kind of note gets one beat.

Triplets

Groups of three notes to be played evenly.

Whole note/rest

4 beats in 4/4 time.