conducting terms part 1

Repeat Endings

A repeated passage played with different endings on different playings.

Vivace

Lively and fast.

Presto

Very fast.

Prestissimo

Extremely fast.

Tempo

The speed at which the beats happen in a composition.

Metronome

An apparatus for establishing musical tempo.

Meter

The organization of notes in a composition with respect to time, forming a regular pulse of beats.

Simple Meter

Each beat can be divided into two equal parts.

Compound Meter

Each beat can be divided into three equal parts.

Time Signature (Top Number)

Tells the performer how many beats there are in each measure.

Time Signature (Bottom Number)

Tells the performer what note value will receive the beat.

Double Whole Note

American name for the European Breve.

Whole Note

American name for the European Semibreve.

Half Note

American name for the European Minim.

Quarter Note

American name for the European Crochet.

Eighth Note

American name for the European Quaver.

Sixteenth Note

American name for the European Semiquaver.

Thirty-Second Note

American name for the European Demisimiquaver.

Sixty-Fourth Note

American name for the European Hemidemisimiquaver.

Sharp

Raises the pitch of a note by one half step.

Flat

Lowers the pitch of a note by one half step.

Natural

Cancels a previous accidental or modifies pitch as defined by the prevailing key signature.

Double Sharp

Raises the pitch of a note by two half steps.

Double Flat

Lowers the pitch of a note by two half steps.

Tenuto

To hold a note its full value, or slightly longer.

Staccato

Performed in a detached, separated manner between notes.

Accent

The note is played with a slightly harder attack.

Marcato

The note is played with a more forceful attack than a regular attack.

Fermata

Sustains the note or rest for an indefinite length of time.

Tie

Indicates notes joined together are to be played as one note with time values added.

Slur

Indicates notes are to be played with only the first note being articulated.

Caesura

Indicates a brief, silent pause, during which time is not counted.

Breath Mark

Tells the performer to take a breath or make a slight pause without affecting tempo.

Pianississimo

Extremely soft.

Pianissimo

Very soft.

Piano

Soft.

Mezzo Piano

Medium soft.

Mezzo Forte

Medium loud.

Forte

Loud.

Fortissimo

Very loud.

Fortississimo

Extremely loud.

Crescendo

A gradual increase in volume.

Decrescendo or Diminuendo

A gradual decrease in volume.

Sforzando

Denotes an abrupt accent on a single note.

Dal Segno

Repeat playing starting at the nearest segno.

Da Capo

Repeat playing of the music from its beginning.

Repeat signs

Enclose a passage that is to be played more than once.