Unit 16: Signs and Terms

Flashcards covering musical signs and terms including dynamics, tempo, style, articulation, melodic structures, and musical forms.

pianississimo (ppp)

very, very soft

pianissimo (pp)

very soft

piano (p)

soft

mezzo piano (mp)

medium soft

mezzo forte (mf)

medium loud

forte (f)

loud

fortissimo (ff)

very loud

fortississimo (fff)

very, very loud

crescendo (cresc.)

gradually louder

diminuendo (dim.)

gradually softer

fortepiano (fp)

loud, then immediately soft

adagio

slow

allegro

fast (also means cheerful, happy)

allegretto

somewhat fast (slower than allegro)

andante

walking tempo (flowing)

andantino

slightly faster than andante

animato

animated, with spirit

con moto

with motion

largo

stately, broad, a very slow tempo

lento

slow

moderato

moderately

presto

very fast

vivace

lively, quick

vivo

lively

accelerando (accel.)

gradually faster

allargando

broadening, gradually slower

a tempo

return to the original tempo

meno mosso

less motion, slower

piu mosso

more motion, faster

rallentando (rall., rallent.)

gradually slower

ritardando (rit.)

gradually slower

ritenuto

held back, suddenly slower

cantabile

in a singing manner

con brio

with spirit

con fuoco

with fire

dolce

gently, sweetly

doloroso

sadly, sorrowfully

espressivo

expressively

-etto

little

giocoso

humorous

grazioso

gracefully

-ino

little

leggiero

lightly

meno

less

molto

much, very

pesante

heavily, ponderously

piu

more

poco

little

robusto

boldly, robustly

scherzando

playful

sempre

always

senza

without

simile

in a similar manner, same

spiritoso

spirited

subito

suddenly

tranquillo

peacefully, tranquil, calm

accent

strong emphasis

legato

smooth, connected

sforzando (sf or sfx)

sudden strong accent

sostenuto

sustained, legato

staccato

short, detached

tenuto

hold full value; slight emphasis

Alberti bass

An accompaniment pattern using a three note chord where the notes are played bottom - top - middle - top.

Arpeggio

The notes of a chord played one after another instead of together.

Chromatic Half Step

A half step with two notes of the same letter name (for example: C to C#).

Diatonic Half Step

A half step with notes of different letter names (for example: C to Db).

D. C. al Fine (da capo al fine)

Play from the beginning to the fine (end).

Fermata

Hold a note longer than its time value.

Grace Note

A note printed in small type that is not counted in the rhythm; it is played quickly, almost together with the next note.

m.d. (mano destra)

Right hand.

m.s. (mano sinistra)

Left hand.

Octave Sign 8va (Over Notes)

Play one octave (eight notes) higher than written.

Octave Sign 8va (Under Notes)

Play one octave lower than written.

Opus (Op.)

Work; usually used with a number to indicate the chronological order of music written by a composer.

Pedal Sign

Shows when to press and lift the damper (right) pedal.

tre corde

Release the soft (left) pedal.

una corda

Depress the soft (left) pedal.

Augmentation

The presentation of a melody or motive with the note values doubled.

Canon

A style of writing in which an extended melody is imitated strictly and entirely in one or more voices.

Diminution

The presentation of a melody or motive with the note values halved.

Imitation

The immediate restatement of a melody or motive in another voice or hand.

Motive (motif)

A short melodic or rhythmic pattern that appears throughout a piece.

Repetition

Occurs when a melodic or rhythmic pattern is repeated.

Sequence

Occurs when a melodic pattern in repeated at a higher or lower pitch, usually a $2^{nd}$ or $3^{rd}$ above or below the original pattern.

Binary Form

Music containing two sections: section A and section B, where each section is usually repeated.

Ternary form

Music written in three sections: section A, section B, and a repeat of section A.

Sonata

A composition for piano which has separate sections called movements, usually contrasting in tempo and character.

Sonatina

A short sonata, usually designed for instruction, containing one, two, or three movements.

Sonata-Allegro Form

A form frequently used for the first movements of sonatas and sonatinas, consisting of Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation sections.

Exposition

The section of Sonata-Allegro Form containing the first theme in the tonic key and the second theme in the dominant or relative Major key.

Development

The section of Sonata-Allegro Form where themes are presented in new keys and new themes may be added.

Recapitulation

The section of Sonata-Allegro Form where both the first and second themes are presented in the tonic key.

Rondo

Music with a recurring theme (A) that appears between contrasting sections (B, C, etc.).

Polyphonic Texture

Music with two or more independent parts or voices (melodies).

Homophonic Texture

Music with melody and accompaniment.