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Sep 25, 2024 · Cheatsheet of common and more obscure music terminology terms and definitions. Understanding music terms makes it easier to collaborate with other musicians – it really does help if you’re all singing and playing from the same hymn sheet!
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Glossary of music terminology - Wikipedia. A variety of musical terms are encountered in printed scores, music reviews, and program notes. Most of the terms are Italian, in accordance with the Italian origins of many European musical conventions.
However, these hundreds of terms can be daunting for anyone unversed in musical terminology. Here is a useful glossary of some of the key musical terms and definitions you are likely to come across. Read on for our comprehensive musical terms dictionary.
- Presto Prestissimo
- Rubato Tenuto
- Attacca Cambiare
- solo
- Techniques
- Colla voce
- Legato
- Spiccato
- Banda
- Comprimario/a
- Bravo
- Stagione
ready very ready Very fast Very very fast, as fast as possible
robbed sustained Free flowing and exempt from steady rhythm Holding or sustaining a single note Accompagnato accompanied Alla marcia as a march A tempo to time
attach change Proceed to the next section without pause Any change, such as to a new instrument Da Capo (al fine) Dal Segno Divisi
from the beginning (to the end) to the sign divided alone Abbreviated as D.C., informs the performer to go back to the beginning (capo) (finishing where the part is marked fine) Abbreviated as D.S., informs the performer to repeat a specific section marked by a sign (segno) Instructs one section to divide into two or more separate sections, each pl...
Altissimo Arpeggio Acciaccatura Appoggiatura Basso continuo A bocca chiusa Chiuso
very high harp-like crushing leaning continuous bass mouth closed closed with the bow with the voice Very high chord with the notes spread out in time An extra, very fast grace note type of ornament Continuous bass accompaniment (see figured bass.) Wordless humming in a choral piece Calls for a horn to be muted by hand Cancels col legno and pizzica...
with the wood coloration glide tied together singer, especially when slowing for textual effect Calls for a bowed instrument to be struck with the wood rather than the hair of the bow Elaborate ornamentation of a vocal line sweeping glide from one pitch to another series of notes played with a smooth connection between them Con sordino Senza sordin...
with mute without mute plucked carrying carried covered one string two strings tutte Three strings or all the strings separated Tutti staccatissimo Staccato Scordatura vibrato
all very detached detached mistuning vibrating first lady first man band Calls for mute to be applied, esp. to string instruments. Calls for mute to be removed, esp. from string instruments. Calls for a bowed instrument to be plucked with the fingers sliding of pitch between two notes style of playing between staccato and legato Of a drum, muted wi...
first Concertino little concert A supporting role The smaller, more virtuosic, group of musicians in a concerto grosso
skillful A performance of extraordinary virtuosity a cry of congratulation to a male singer or performer. Fem. brava, pl. bravi, fem.pl. brave. The use of ! at the of "Bravo/a/i/e(!)" strongly emphasize the written expression.
season Conductor, music director, music teacher, also composer and other eminent musicians and singers Assistant conductor Assistant conductor Prompter A variety of formal organisation of players and crew in the staging of operas
A glossary of musical terms A. A cappella: Music sung without instrumental accompaniment. ABA form: A musical structure consisting of three sections, where the first and third sections are the same or closely related and the middle section is contrasting. Accelerando: A musical direction indicating a gradual increase in tempo.
Jan 7, 2005 · Sometimes, the special musical meanings of these phrases differ from the original or current Italian meanings. Most of the other defined terms are taken from French and German, indicated by " (Fr)" and " (Ger)", respectively. Others are from languages such as Latin and Spanish.
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That’s why we’re creating this glossary of music terms. From basic terms like ‘melody’ and ‘rhythm’ to more complex ones like ‘negative harmony,’ we break things down in a way that’s easy to understand. Each term links to a guide that explains it further.
