choir vocab.

crescendo.

translation: growing.

abbreviation / symbol: cresc. (<)

to gradually get louder.

decrescendo.

translation: shrinking.

abbreviation / symbol: decres. (>)

gradually get softer.

allegro.

translation: cheerful or lively.

music should be played upbeat or brisk.

adagio.

translation: slowly.

music should be played slowly.

dolce.

music performed sweetly and delectably.

dynamics.

levels of sound in music. (loud - soft)

ritardando.

abbreviation: rit.

tempo markings that tell you to gradually slow down.

fermata.

translation: to hold.

symbol: 𝄐

a symbol to tell the ensemble or performer to hold the note as long as the conductor or performer would like. MUST be longer than the note value written.

intonation.

the accuracy (or lack of accuracy) of pitch in instrumental playing or singing.

modulation.

to change from one key to another.

legato.

translation: joined.

the music should be played smooth and connected.

staccato.

translation: short and detached.

harmony.

two or more musicians playing or singing different notes / pitches at the same time.

unison.

two or more musicians playing or singing the same note / pitch at the same time. (it can be the same pitch or same note in a different octave)

accent.

symbol: > (above or below note)

stress, emphasis, or loudness given to a certain pitch.

vibrato.

small fluctuations in pitch used to make a sound more expressive.

arpeggio.

when a cord of notes is broken up and played in a sequence not symultaneously.

ex: do, mi, so, do.

timbre.

tone color.

accelerando.

translation: getting faster.

gradually speeding up the speed of the rhythmic beat.

ostinato.

a short music pattern that is repeated persistently through out a composition.

sforzando.

translation: forced / abrupt loudness.

abbreviation: sFz.

sudden stress on a chord or note.

dissonance.

lack of agreement with two or more notes. (tension - resolve)

diction.

pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing.