Music Theory and Performance Terminology

A detailed set of vocabulary flashcards covering musical dynamics, tempo, instrumentation, style, performance evaluation, and general theory terms based on the lecture transcript.

Crescendo (cresc)

Gradually increase the volume

Decrescendo (decresc.)

Gradually softer

Diminuendo (dim.)

Gradually softer

Forte (f)

Strong or loud

Fortepiano (fp)

Loud then immediately soft

Fortissimo (ff)

Very strong or loud

Mezzo

Medium or moderately (as in mezzo piano or mezzo soprano)

Morendo

Dying away

Niente (n)

Nothing

Pianissimo (pp)

Very soft

Piano (p)

Soft

Sforzando (sfz)

Loud sudden attack, suddenly with force

Forzando (fz)

With force

Order of Dynamics

pppp, ppp, pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, fff, ffff

Grave

Very very slow and solemn ($30-50$)

Largo

Broad and slow ($40-50$)

Lento

Slow & calm (but not as slow as Largo) ($50$)

Adagio

Slowly, leisurely ($60-80$)

Andante

In a walking tempo, moderately slow ($80-96$)

Allegretto

Tempo between Andante and Allegro ($96-116$)

Moderato

In a moderate tempo ($112-130$)

Allegro

Quick and lively ($120-160$)

Vivace

Very Fast ($140-180$)

Presto

Very fast ($160-200$)

Prestissimo

As fast as possible ($180+$)

Accelerando (Accel.)

Gradually increase the tempo

Alla Breve

Same as cut time; two beats per measure and the half note gets the beat ($\frac{2}{2}$)

Allargando

Gradually slower and broader

A tempo

In the previous speed, before the tempo was altered

Grand Pause (G.P.)

A long pause in the music

L’istesso tempo

In the same beat speed

Meno Mosso

Less motion, a little slower

Piu mosso

More motion; a little faster

Rallentando

Gradually slower

Ritardando

Gradually slower

Rubato

Not in a strict tempo; "robbed," dwell on and prolong prominent melody tones or chords

Stringendo

Press the tempo; go faster

Tempo Primo (Tempo I)

At the original speed, from the beginning of the music

Tenuto

Hold full value or stretch the notes

Cadenza

Extended section for soloist alone

Coda

A finishing section (tail)

Da Capo (D.C.)

Repeat from the beginning

Dal Segno (D.S.)

Repeat from the sign

Fine

The end

A2

On a staff for two players, both players play the single part in unison

Ad Libitum (ad. lib.)

At the performer’s discretion, improvisation

Divisi (div.)

Divide the part between performers

Ossia

An alternate part

Soli

Similar instruments or performers performing the same part

Solo

One performer

Tacet

Silent while others perform

Tutti

Everyone performs

Unison

All perform the same part

Animato

In an animated style

Brio, con

With brilliance, with spirit

Cantabile

In a singing style

Dolce

Sweetly

Espressivo

With expression

Fuoco, con

With fire

Grazioso

Gracefully

Legato

Smooth and connected

Maestoso

Majestically

Marcato

Marked with distinctness, every note accented and separated

Pesante

Heavily, emphatic

Semplice

Simple

Sostenuto

Sustained

Staccato

Separated, detached (performed with lightness)

Secco

Dryly, extremely separated

Sordino

Mute

Assai

Very (Qualifier)

Con

With

Molto

Much

Non troppo

Not too much

Poco a poco

Little by little

Subito

Immediately, suddenly

Senza

Without

Sempre

Always

Simile

Continue in a like manner

Anacrusis

Pick-up note preceding the first downbeat

Syncopation

An emphasis on the weak beats

Tone

The quality of a sound/pitch

Blend

Combining multiple sounds into one, or combinations where no one performer overpowers others

Balance

Performance where melodies and moving lines can be heard

Intonation

Tuning

Precision (rhythmic)

Performance of music accurately together in synchronization

Articulation

Markings to indicate how a note should be performed

Diction

Clear pronunciation of lyrics

Interpretation

Performance in a proper style and tempo

Accent

A stress ($>$)

Accidental

Any chromatic sign not found in the key signature

Circle of Fifths

A chart showing keys and relationships between major and minor

Consonant

Two or more harmonious, pleasing tones

Dissonant

Two or more tones requiring resolution

Dominant

Having to do with ‘sol,’ the 5th tone of a scale

Enharmonic

Two pitches spelled differently but sounding the same (e.g. G# and Ab)

Fermata

Symbol indicating to hold pitch longer than the normal time value

Flat

Below correct pitch, or a sign indicating to lower pitch a half step

Glissando

A smooth gliding from one tone to another

Hemiola

In $\frac{3}{4}$, two groups of 3 notes divided into 3 groups of 2 notes

Interval

The distance between 2 pitches