You can scroll on the bar or click the appropriate letter to find what you would like. A Cappella Choral music without accompaniment (literally, "in the church style"). Accelerando A direction to gradually increase the tempo. Accent The emphasis given to one tone over another. Accidental A sign used to indicate chromatic alteration; a sharp, double sharp, flat, double flat, or natural prefixed to single notes. Accompaniment Secondary instrument or background vocal added to the principal instrument or soloist. Acoustics The science of sound, which deals with intensity, quality, resonance, pitch, tone, and other qualities of sound. Adagietto A direction to play slightly faster than adagio. Adagio A direction to play slowly; between and ante and largo. Adagissimo A direction to play very slowly. Ad Libitum A direction to interpret, improvise, or omit, according to the player's preference. Affetuoso A direction to play affectionately, with warmth. Agitato A direction to play in an agitated, restless, hurried manner. Air a tune or melody the French 18th-century term for song; also, an instrumental piece whose melodic style is similar to that of a solo song. Alla Breve A direction to play twice as fast as the notation signifies, 2/2 instead of 4/4. Allargando A direction to play slower, louder. Allegretto A direction to play with moderately quick movement; between andante and allegro. Allegro A direction to play quickly, briskly. Allemande A moderately slow dance of German origin. Allentando A direction to slow down. Alto The highest adult male voice, or lowest female voice; also, a tenor violin or viola. Andante A direction to play in moderate tempos; "walking" speed; between allegretto and adagio. Andantino A direction to play in temp slightly quicker than andante. Animato A direction to play with animation. Answer In a fugue, the second or fourth statement of the subject. Anthem A choral piece for use in church services. Appassionato A direction to play passionately. Appoggiatura An inharmonious note preceding a principal note, marked with a diagonal line through it, of short or long duration. Arabesque A lyrical piece in a fanciful style; a term used first by Schumann and later by Debussy. Aria An extended vocal solo in an opera or oratorio. Arioso A piece of recitative song, but more song like. Arpeggio The technique of playing the notes of a chord successively rather than simultaneously. Ascending Moving upward on a musical scale. Assai A direction to play very quickly. A tempo A direction to play in time, following a deviation from the regular tempo. Atonal Having no recognized tonal center or key. Aubade Morning music, in contrast to Serenade, or evening music. Augmentation Presentation of a theme in notes of doubled value; the opposite of diminution. Auxiliary Note Usually, a grace note one degree above or below a principal note. Ballad A narrative song, originally accompanies by dancing; also, an instrumental piece in ballad style. Bar Line A line drawn vertically across the staff to divide into measures. Baritone The male voice between bass and tenor; also, any musical instrument intermediary between bass and tenor. Baroque A term signifying the music composed between 1600 and 1750, characterized by homophonic texture with the uppermost part carrying the melody over the bass line; a search for affective expression; the development of new styles for various functions and new techniques, such as dissonance and tonality. Bass The lowest male voice, or lowest part in a musical composition; also, short for the double bass or bass tuba. Beat A unit of rhythm or time in a composition as indicated by the conductor's gesture; each unit of a measure with respect to accent. Bebop (Bop) One of the principal styles of jazz developed in the early 1940's, characterized by complicated melody lines and chord patterns played at exceptional speed. Bel Canto The Italian vocal techniques of the 18th century with an emphasis on beauty of sound and brilliance of performance rather than dramatic expression or romantic emotion. Berceuse A cradle song. Binary Musical form in which both main sections are repeated and where the first section characteristically is tonally not self-contained but demands a resolution in the second part (AB) Bolero Spanish dance accompanied by castanets. Bowing A method of using the bow on stringed instruments as indicated by signs for down bow (++) or up bow (\/). Brace A vertical line used to join two or more staves. Buffa In the comic style. Buffo The singer of a comic part. Cadence A progression of chords that seems to move to a harmonic close or point of rest. Cadenza An ornamental passage near the end of a composition. Canon A contrapuntal composition in which the same melody is imitated by one or more voices overlapping in time in the same or related key. Cantata A vocal form from the baroque period that consists of arias, recitatives, duets, and choruses. The term now refers to secular or sacred choral works accompanied orchestra, similar to the oratorio but shorter. Canticle Religious song or chant. Canzona A form of Italian lyric poetry corresponding to the ode, set to music in a style similar to a madrigal, though simpler; also, an instrumental piece in the style of a song. Canzonet A vocal piece in a light vein, somewhat like a dance song, usually with instrumental accompaniment; a short instrumental piece. Capriccio A short composition in free form. Castrato A male singer castrated as a boy to maintain a soprano or alto voice range. Catch A humorous round for three or more voices. Chaconne A musical form based on a reiterated harmonic pattern. Chamber Music Instrumental compositions performed by a small ensemble, with one player for each part. Chanson A song for solo voice or vocal ensemble; also, an instrumental piece of vocal character. Chant A sacred song, usually monophonic and in free rhythm and used in accordance with prescribed ritual. The chant is the oldest form of choral music. Chorale A psalm or hymn tune sung in church; also, a harmonization of a chorale melody. Chord The combination of three or more tones played at once. A diatonic chord uses only notes proper to the key. A triad is a chord of three notes in which the lowest is combined with the third and fifth above it. A common chord is a triad in root position. A dominant chord is founded on the dominant of the key. An inverted chord uses a tone other than the root as its lowest tone. Chromatic Scale Consecutive series of notes that employ only a progression of semitones. Classical Term for the period and style of music from about 1700 to about 1830, characterized by regular, short, clearly articulated phrases combined with symmetrical patterns and textures. Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven are its chief representatives. Clef A character that indicates the pitch of a particular line on a staff. Coda A passage that brings a piece or movement to a conclusion. Comma The small difference in pitch that occurs in the same note when obtained through different combinations of octaves, perfect fifths, and pure thirds. Common Time Four-four (4/4) time-that is, four quarter notes to a measure. Compound Interval An interval that extends beyond an octave. Compound Time Time in which each beat of the bar is divisible into three, in contrast to simple time, in which each is divisible into two. Concertmaster The leader of the first violins, next in rank to the conductor. Concerto A composition for solo instrument, usually with orchestral accompaniment. Concerto Grosso A style of composition developed during the Baroque period (1600-1750) in which two groups of musicians, one large and one small, alternate in an echo effect. Concert Pitch Pitch at which the piano and other nontransposing instruments play. Console The part of the organ from which the player controls the instrument the keyboard, pedals, and so on as distinguished from the pipes. Consonance Combination of pitches that produce little tension and are generally considered pleasing; opposite of dissonance. Consort A chamber ensemble; also music writers for such a group. Con Spirito A direction to play in a lively manner. Continuo The bass, or lowest, line of a composition. Contralto The bass, or lowest, line of a composition. Cool Style of modern jazz pioneered in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by understated and emotionally subdued arrangements played by small ensembles. Counterpoint Music consisting of two or more melodic lines played simultaneously. Countersubject Music The contrasting motif to the subject of a fugue. Countertenor The male alto voice. Couplet Two lines having the same meter. Courante vvvvA lively dance in triple time; also, the second part of a suite. Crescendo A direction to increase the volume. Cut time Another term for 2/2 meter. Da capo A direction to decrease the volume. Decrescendo A direction to decrease the volume. Descant A different melody sung in a higher pitch and simultaneously with the main melodic line. It is the earliest form of polyphony, with contrasting motions between the parts. Descending Moving downward on a musical scale. Development The extension of a theme through contrapuntal elaboration, modulation, rhythmical variation, etc. Diatonic Referring to minor and major scales that employ a particular combination of whole tones and half tones; the harmony and melodies that use only the pitches of a particular diatonic scale. Diminished Chord A chord in which the highest and lowest tones form a diminished interval. Diminished Interval A perfect or minor interval reduced by a semitone. Diminuendo Diminishing; getting softer. Diminution The breaking up of the notes in a melody into quick figures, as is done in variations. Dissonance A combination of tones that are unresolved, jarring. Divertimento An 18th-century form of instrumental chamber music having several short movements. Divertissement A fantasia on well-known tunes. Devisi In orchestral music, an indication that a group of players who play the same parts are to play two or more separate parts. Do The first tone of a diatonic scale. Dolce A direction to play softly, sweetly. Dolente, Doloroso Sorrowful. Dominant The fifth tone of the major or minor diatonic scale. Dominant Chord A chord with the fifth pitch of a scale as its root. Doppio Movimento Twice as fast. Dorian Mode A church mode represented on the white keys of a keyboard instrument by an ascending scale from D to D. Dot Written after a note, an indication of the prolongation of its length by one-half; the double dot indicates by three-fourths. Above or below the note, the dot indicates staccato. Double Stop A chord of two notes played on a bowed string instrument, obtaining a two-part harmony. Doxology In Christian worship, a hymn of praise to God. Duet a composition for two players or two voices, with or without accompaniment. Duple Two units to the measure, such as 2/2, 2/2, or 2/8. Duration The length of a tone. Dynamics Varying and contrasting degrees of intensity or loudness. Eight A note whose value is one-eight of a whole note. Enharmonic Tones that have the same pitch when played on tempered instruments but that are different in notation, such as C (#) and D (b). Episode The section of a fugue in which the main melody is not heard. Estinto So soft that it can hardly be heard. Etude So soft; an exercise in technique. Exposition The statement of the musical material on which a movement is based. Expression Marks Marks used to help the interpretation of a work; they are concerned with dynamics, tempo, and mood, and indicate forte, allegro, con spirito, etc. Fa The fourth note of a diatonic scale. Falsetto The false voice; an adult male voice in the alto and treble range. Fantasia A piece in which the composition follows the fancy rather than any conventional form; of an improvisational character. Fermata A symbol placed over the note to show that it is to be played longer than its normal duration. Fifth The interval between the tonic and the fifth tone above it. In the key of C major, C to G is a fifth. Figuration The extended use of a particular melodic or harmonic figure; the ornamental treatment of a passage. Finale The last movement of a work of several movements -for example, the conclusion of a concerto or the last act of an opera. Flat A sign indicating that the pitch is to be lowered by one semitone. Form The pattern of design of a work; its basic elements are repetition, variation, and contrast in the areas of harmony, rhythm, and tone. Forte A direction to play loudly. Fortissimo A direction to play very loudly. Forza A direction to play very loudly. Forzando A direction to play very loudly. Fourth The interval between the tonic and the fourth diatonic tone above it; in the key of C major, C to F is a fourth. Fugue A composition in which three or more voices enter at different times and imitate the main melody in different ways according to a set pattern. Fundamental Also called the Toni; the lowest tone of a chord when the chord is founded on that tone; also, the lowest note in the harmonic series. Funk (Funky) Style of African American music popular in the mid-l960's that combines soul and jazz. It is characterized by complex interlocking syncopated rhythm patterns in duple meter. Galop A quick dance in 2/4 time popular in the 19th century. Giocoso Jocose; merry. Glee A simple part song, generally for male voices. Glissando The execution of rapid scales by sliding the finger rapidly across keys or strings. Grace note An ornamental note not essential to the melody and not counted as part of the measure. Grandezza Grandeur. Grave A direction to play slowly, solemnly. Grazioso A direction to play gracefully. Gregorian Chant A style of church music for unaccompanied voices, without definite rhythm, in one or the eight church modes. Half Note A note having half the time value of a whole note and twice that of a quarter note. Harmonic A tone whose frequency is an integral multiple of a single frequency known as the fundamental tone. Harmony The simultaneously sounded pitches as in chords. Homophic Single-voiced; music in which one melody or art is supported by chords; the opposite of polyphonic. Imitation The of the same or similar melodic material in different voices successively. Impresario The conductor or manager of an opera or concert company. Impromptu An improvised composition without fixed form. Incidental Music Music for performance during the action of a play or film. Interlude A short piece played between the acts of a drama; the verses of a song, parts of a church service, or sections of a cantata. Intermezzo A play with music performed between the acts of an opera or drama that gave rise to opera buffa; an interlude; a short movement in a symphony. Interval The distance in pitch between two notes, harmonic if they are played together, melodic if they are played in succession. Perfect interval: the prime, fourth, fifth, and octave. Major interval: the second, third, sixth, and seventh of the major scale. Minor interval: a chromatic half step smaller than a major interval. Augmented interval: a chromatic half step larger than perfect and major. Diminished interval: A chromatic half step smaller than perfect and minor. Intonation The degree of accuracy with which pitches are produced. Inversion The transportation of the lower and upper notes of an interval. In an inverted chord, the lowest tone is not its root; an inverted melody is one in which its intervals are inverted. Ionian Mode A mode of church music represented on the white keys of a keyboard by an ascending scale from C to C. Key The main pitch or tonal center to which all of the composition's pitches are related. Key Signature Sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a composition to indicate its key. La The sixth tone of a diatonic scale. Largo A direction to play broadly, more slowly than adagio but not as slowly as grave. Leading Tone The seventh degree or tone of the scale; a semitone below the tonic. Legato A direction to play smoothly and continuously. Lento A direction to play slowly, but not as slowly as largo. Libretto The text of an opera or oratorio. Litany A song of invocation to God. Madrigal An unaccompanied song for three or more voices using counterpoint and imitation. Maestoso A direction to play in a majestic, stately manner. Magnificat Canticle of The Virgin May Sung as part of the evening service in Reformed churches and at vespers in the Catholic Church. Major Applied to chords, intervals, scales, and keys; a standard in contrast to diminished, augmented, or minor. Major Scale A diatonic scale in which the half steps occur between the third and fourth and the seventh and eight tones. March A composition usually in duple meter and in simple, strongly marked rhythms and regular phrases for a procession or parade. Mass A musical setting of the liturgy of the Eucharist. Mazurka a polkalike Polish folk dance in triple time with strong accents on the normally weak second and third beats. Measure A unit of rhythm or musical time, indicated by bar lines. Mediant The third tone of a diatonic scale. Melody A rhythmically organized succession of single tones that form a musical idea. Mensural Music A medieval term for music with definite note values, as distinguished from plainsong. Meter A scheme of accents; a grouping of beats into units of measure. Mezzo Medium, half; moderate. Mezzo-forte A direction to play moderately loudly. Mezzo-Soprano The female voice between soprano and alto. Mi The third tone in the diatonic scale. Middle C The pitch represented by the first ledger line below the treble clef or he first above the bass clef. Minor Intervals, scales, keys, and chords having intervals a semitone less than major. Minor scale A diatonic scale having a minor third between the first and third tones and having several forms with different intervals above the fifth. Mode A selection of tones arranged in a scale that forms the basic tonal substance of a composition. Modulation The change from one key to another through a succession of chords. Molto Very. Monophony Music consisting of a single melodic line without additional parts or accompaniment, as in plainsong or folk song. Mordent An ornament played by quickly alternating a note with the note below it. Morendo A fading away. Motet An unaccompanied vocal composition with sacred lyrics from the 13th century. Motif A short, significant melodic and/or rhythmic figure that recurs throughout a composition or section as a unifying element. Motion The pattern of changing pitch levels in a melody. Natural A musical symbol indicating the removal of a sharp or flat from a particular pitch. Nocturne A musical composition in the romantic style, usually for piano, with an expressive melody over a broken-chord accompaniment. Note A symbol used to express the relative time value of tones. Obbligato An added melody, usually played by a solo instrument to enhance a vocal line. Octave The distance between two pitches having the same name and located 12 half steps apart. Octet A composition of eight parts or voices, also the group of its performers. Opera A drama set to music, in which words are sung in the form of recitatives, arias, and ensembles, usually accompanied by orchestra and generally performed with sets and costumes. Operetta A light opera, usually humorous, with spoken dialogue, dances and, almost unfailingly, a happy ending. Opus A numbered musical work or composition. Oratorio A musical setting of scriptural text set without costumes, scenery, or action. Orchestra A large group of musicians who play together on various musical instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Overture An introduction to a large composition such as an opera or oratorio; however, it can be independent or the predecessor of a symphonic poem. Parallel Motion The relative changes of pitches in two or more simultaneous voice-parts when the intervals separating them remain the same. Part In orchestral or chamber music, the music or melodic line for a particular series of notes for voice or instrument. Partita A set of related instrumental pieces; a series of variations or a suite. Part Song A 19th-century choral composition in the homophonic style in which the top part is the only carrier of the melody. Passion Music a musical setting for the story of the suffering and death of Christ. Pasticcio An operatic medley of the 18th century made up of contributions of two or more composers. Pastorale A musical composition suggestive of rural life. Pentatonic Scale A five-toned scale without semitones; the diatonic scale with fourth and seventh tones omitted. Phrase A complete musical idea. Pianissimo A direction to play very softly. Piano A direction to play softly. Piano Quartet A term usually applied to quarters for piano, violin, viola, and cello. Pitch The perceived highness or lowness of a sound. Pizzicato For violins and other bowed instruments, a direction that the string is to be picked with the finger. Plainsong A nonmetrical chant in one of the church modes. Poco Little Polka A lively dance in 2/4 time that originated in Bohemia c.1830 Polonaise A Polish dance in ¾ time adopted as a musical form by Chopin Polyphony Contrapuntal music; a style in which two or more melodies are interwoven; the opposite of homophony. Prelude An introductory movement complete in itself, as opposed to an introduction, which leads directly into the principal section; a short piano piece in one movement. Program Music intended to depict a story or image. Progression Melodic; the passage from tone to tone; harmonic: the passage from chord to chord. Quartet A composition of four parts or voices; also, the performers of a four-part composition. Quintet A composition of five voices or instruments; also, the performers of a five-part composition. Ragtime Style of American music popular from about 1890 to the beginning of World War I, characterized by syncopated melodies set against a rhythmically strong bass. Re The second tone of a diatonic scale. Recitative A style of singing resembling dramatic speech. Refrain Repeated lines that occur at the end of each stanza of a song or poem. Register The range of a voice or instrument, as in upper register or lower register. Requiem A mass for the dead; also, a musical setting for such a mass. Resolution The progression from a dissonant tone or harmony to one that is consonant. Rest A symbol indicating pause or silence. Rinforzando A sudden accent on a single note or chord. Ritardando A direction to slow the temp gradually. Ritenuto Immediate reduction in tempo. Romance A short vocal or instrumental composition of a romantic character without fixed form. Rondo A form of instrumental composition with a refrain that occurs at least three times in its original key between contrasting couplets. Root The tonic of a triad or chord; the lowest tone, unless the chord is inverted. Round a canon for three or more voices; the common name for a circle canon in which each singer returns from the conclusion of the melody to its beginning, repeating it. Scale A series of tones arranged according to rising pitches. Scat A technique of jazz singing that uses nonsense syllables for improvising vocal solos. Scherzo A playful, humorous instrumental composition, usually in a rapid ¾ meter. Second The interval between the tonic and the second tone of a diatonic scale; in the key of C major, C to D is a second. Semitone One-half of a whole tone. Septet A composition for seven voices or instruments. Sequence Repetition of a short musical phrase at a different pitch. Serenade An impromptu or unsolicited vocal or instrumental performance, often outdoors; an instrumental composition in several movements for a small group, between the symphony and the suite. Seventh The interval between the tonic and the seventh tone of a diatonic scale; in the key of C major, C to B is a seventh. Sharp A sign (#) indicating that the pitch is to be raised by a half step. Si (or Ti) The seventh tone in a diatonic scale. Signature A symbol placed on the staff at the beginning of a piece that shows the key and the meter. Sixth The interval between the tonic and the sixth tone of a diatonic scale; in the key of C major, C to A is a sixth. Slur A curved line over a series of notes that are to be played smoothly and continuously. Sol The fifth tone of a diatonic scale. Solo A piece performed either alone or with accompaniment. Sonata An instrumental composition of three or four independent movements varying in mood, character, and tempo. Sonatina A short, simple sonata. Soprano The highest female or boy's voice; the treble. Sostenuto Sustaining the tone to or beyond the nominal value. Sotto Voce In a low voice. Staccato Direction to play notes in a distinct, detached manner. Staff The five horizontal lines on and between which notes are written. Stretto Compressed; in a fugue, the overlapping of subject and answer. Subdominant The dominant below; he fourth tone of the diatonic scale, in the same relation to the key note from below as the dominant is from above. Subito Suddenly. Subject A melody or melody fragment that, because of its character, design, position, or treatment, is used in the basic musical form of a composition. Submediant The sixth tone of a diatonic scale. Subtonic The seventh tone of a diatonic scale; leading tone. Suite An instrumental composition consisting of a series of movements or distinct compositions originally, a cycle of dance tunes. Supertonic The second tone of a diatonic scale. Symphonic Poem Originated by Franz Liszt, a large narrative orchestral work in one movement based on a nonmusical idea. Either poetic or realistic. Symphony A sonato for orchestra, usually in four contrasting movements. Syncopation A rhythmic pattern that places emphasis on beats that are not normally accented, thus creating a catchy, lilting sound. Tempo The speed at which a composition is played. Tenor The highest natural adult male voice; also, the instrument of corresponding range. Ternary Form The form of a composition in three parts with repetition following one contrast (ABA) Texture The way in which melody and harmony are combined to create layers of sound. Theme And Variation A musical form in which the theme is repeated and varied. Third The interval between the tonic and the third tone of a diatonic scale; in the key of C major, C to E is a third. Ti (or Si) The seventh tone in a diatonic scale. Tie A curved line that combines the duration of two notes of the same pitch. Time Used synonymously with measure or rhythm. Time Signature The meter of a composition, shown by two numbers, one above the other; the lower tells the kind of note that represents one beat; the upper tells the number of these notes that make up a measure. Toccata A composition popular in the 16th century, for organ or harpsichord, and resembling the capriccio. Tonal Center The tonic pitch around which a composition or scale is centered. Tone A sound of definite duration and pitch; a note. Tone Cluster A group of notes played simultaneously with forearm, elbow, and fist in a method introduced by Henry Cowell. Tonic The first tone of a diatonic scale; also called fundamental. In the key of C major, C is the tonic. Transposition The rewriting or playing of a composition in a key other than the original one. Treble Clef G clef; indicates that the pitch G is located on the second line above middle C. Tremolo Rapid repetition of a note to resemble trembling. Triad A chord composed of a fundamental tone and the third and fifth above it. Trio A composition for three parts or voices; the second part of a minuet or march. Triplet A group of three notes played in the time value of two. Triple Time Time in which there are three beats to a measure. Turn An embellishment consisting of a group of four or five notes that run around the principal note. Tutti Indications for passages for the whole orchestra as distinguished from those of the soloist. Twelve-Tone Music A method of composition based on a chromatic scale of 12, rather than 8, tones, developed by Arnold Schoenberg. Unison Equal pitch; performance of the same part by all voices. Variation Development of a theme through a variety of forms; differences in rhythm, key, harmony, etc. Vivace A direction to play in a lively manner. Voice Vocal or instrumental part of a composition. Waltz A dance in triple time performed by couples, which reached its peak of popularity during the 19th century; also, music in this rhythm. Whole note The longest note in common use. Whole tone An interval of a major second; the interval of two semitones.     COPYRIGHT©2005 VICTORIA PACKING CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ( CTR-110505-MUS)