Band final 2024

accent=a stress (>)

accidental=any chromatic sign not found in the key signature

adagio=very slow tempo

alla breve= 2/2 time, cut time, 2 beats per measure, with the half note carrying the beat

allegretto=moderately fast, slightly slower than allegro allegro=fast, lively

andante=slow, walking tempo

cantabile=in a singing style

chromatic=half step motion

Circle of fifths=a useful chart showing keys and relationships between keys, in both major and minor

con=with

consonant=2 or more harmonious, pleasing tones 

crescendo=grow louder

D.C. al fine=da capo al fine, repeat to the beginning and end at fine

D.S. al fine=dal segno al fine, return to the sign and stop at the fine (end)

diminuendo=diminish in loudness

dissonant=2 or more tones requiring resolution dolce=sweetly

dominant=having to do with “sol,” the 5th tone of a scale

duple=2 beats per measure, subdivision in 2 

enharmonic=2 pitches that are spelled differently, yet sound the "same" (e.g. G# &Ab)

espressivo=with expression

fermata=symbol indicating to hold pitch longer than the normal time value

flat=a) below the correct pitch; b) a sign indicating to lower pitch a half step; c) something found in the key signature, used to establish the key (the last flat is the 4th degree of a scale and the 2nd to last flat (when there is more than one) indicates the first degree of a major scale)

forte piano=accent strongly, instantly diminishing to soft volume (2 words)

diphthong=2 vowel sounds combined together 

forte=strong, loud

glissando=a smooth gliding from one tone to another, sounding the tones in between

harmony=simultaneous musical combination of tones to produce chords

hemiola=in 3/4, two groups of 3 notes divided into 3 groups of 2 notes

interval=the distance between 2 pitches, measured from lower pitch to higher pitch

key signature=the collection of sharps or flats in the upper left comer of a piece of music

legato=smooth & connected (--)

leggiero=lightly

lyrical=pertaining to the lyre, adapted for singing 

maestoso=majestically

marcato=accented and detached (v or ^)

melodic=in the style of a melody, progressing by single tones

meno=less

meter=symmetrical groupings of musical rhythms 

mezzo=medium

moderato=moderate tempo

molto=very, very much

mosso=motion 

ostinato=repeated pattern, incessant repetition of a theme 

pavane=stately dance of Italian or Spanish origin, in slow tempo and alla breve time 

piano=soft

piu=more

poco=little

presto=faster than vivace

rallentando=growing slower and broadening 

resolution=the progression of a dissonance to a consonance

rhythm=the measured movement of similar tone-groups 

ritardando=growing slower 

rubato= "robbed," dwell on and prolong prominent melody tones or chords (slow down), robbing less prominent tones of a portion of their time value, through the process of acceleration

Senza = without

sharp=a) above the correct pitch; b) a sign indicating to raise pitch a half step; c) something found in the key signature, used to establish the key (the last sharp is the 7th degree of a scale)

simile=similarly, continue most recent articulations 

slur=connects 2 or more different pitches 

staccato=detached, separated (.) (NB this dot will be above or below the notehead. A dot on the right side of a note adds half the value to the note. Two dots, one on top of the other (:), indicates a repeat.)

subito=suddenly, now

suspension=a dissonance caused by holding a tone of a chord while the other tones progress

syncopation=shifting of accents from strong to weak beats

tempo=a word or phrase indicating the speed at which a piece should be performed

tempo primo=at the original pace 

tenuto=horizontal marking attached to a pitch to indicate holding it for its full value, used in legato performance

tie=connects 2 of the same pitch, lengthening a note 

tonic=having to do with "do," the keynote of a scale 

vibrato=wavering of pitch to create a warmer tone 

vivace=faster than allegro

B E A D G C F = order of flats (the last flat is “Fa” (4th scale degree), the 2nd to last flat is “Do” or the tonic (1st scale degree)

F C G D A E B = order of sharps (the last sharp is “Ti” (7th scale degree))