Enharmonic

Two notes that have the same pitch, but are written differently

Modulation

The process of changing keys

Diphthong

The combination of two vowel sounds in one syllable

Glottal attack

The technique of beginning a vowel sound with an abrupt puff of air formed by the glottis

Glottis

The space between the vocal cords

Schwa

an unaccented vowel

Staccato

music performed with a little separation between the notes

Legato

Music performed with the notes smoothly connected.

Tenuto

Hold the note a little longer than usual.

Fermata

Hold the note longer than usual. (longer than the tenuto)

Crescendo

Gradually get louder.

Decrescendo

Gradually get softer.

Ritardando

Gradually get slower

Accelerando

Gradually get faster.

Audiate

To think how the music sounds, without actually making a sound.

Accent

To emphasize the note, usually by making it louder or giving it a harder attack.

Passagio

The Italian name for the transition between the higher and lower parts of your vocal range.

Tutti

The Italian word for all.

Unison

Notes that have the same pitch.

Larynx

The part of your body that houses the vocal cords; the voice box.

Diaphragm

The dome-shaped muscle in your abdomen that plays an important part in your breathing.

Modal Range

The part of your vocal range that you use for speaking.

Elide

To combine the end of one word with the beginning of the next word to make them flow more smoothly.

Da Capo

Italian for “repeat from the beginning”

Repeat signs

Repeat from the end repeat dots back to beginning repeat dots. If there are no beginning repeat dots, repeat from the beginning of the piece.

Subito

The Italian word for “suddenly”.

Poco

The Italian word for “little”

Diction

Pronunciation and enunciation used in singing or speaking.

Dissonance

Notes that clash or feel uncomfortable together.

Caesura

A break or a pause in the music notated with “railroad tracks”.

Common Time

same as 4/4; a quarter note gets one beat

Cut Time

same as 2/2; a half note gets one beat. It feels twice as fast as common time.

Order of Sharps

FCGDAEB

Order of Flats

BEADGCF