accent*

to be played with emphasis

adagio

slowly

crescendo*

gradually getting louder

decrescendo*

gradually getting softer

dynamics

volume

fermata*

hold

flat*

lower by 1/2 step

forte

loud

half note*

two beats in common time

half rest*

two beats in common time

key signature*

indicates #s & bs to be played

legato

smooth, connected

molto

much

natural*

returns the pitch to its natural state

ostinato

repeated musical figure

piano

soft

poco

little

quarter note*

worth one beat in common time

quarter rest*

worth one beat in common time

ritardando

gradually getting slower

rubato

freely

sharp*

raise by 1/2 step

simile

same

staccato

detached, separated

tempo

speed

tenuto*

connected, full value

time signature*

indicates beats per measure and which note receives one beat

tutti

all

whole note*

four beats in common time

whole rest*

four beats in common time

arpeggio

chord tones played in succession

trill

rapid alternation between two successive tones

furioso

furiously, wildly

con sordino

with mute

glissando

slide

hemiola

rhythm that suggests a different time signature

quasi

seemingly, comparatively

texture

musical layers

timbre

tone color

counterpoint

composition with two or more simultaneous melodies

concerto

extensive composition for a solo instrument

cadenza

an elaborate solo passage

chanson

song

allegretto

moderately fast

alle breve

cut time