studyguide

The Notes

Flat The sign that indicates a pitch one half step lower than the written note it precedes
Sharp The sign that indicates a pitch one half step higher than the written note it precedes
Natural A note unaltered by a sharp or flat
Enharmonic Tones that are the same, but are named differently (i.e. D sharp and E flat)
Grace Note An ornamental note written and played just before the note it precedes.


Sections

Woodwind The family of instruments in which sound is produced by the vibration of reeds.

Embouchure: The proper position of the lips in the playing of a wind instrument.
Percussion A family of instruments whose sound is produced by striking one object with another.
Brass The family of instruments made of metal using a cup-shaped mouthpiece.


Performance Style

Andante Slow tempo Molto A large amount
Legato Connected and smooth Poco A little


Dynamic Variance
f forte Loud
p piano Soft
cresc. crescendo To gradually get louder
dim. diminuendo To gradually get softer
sfz. sforzando A sudden and strong accent


Tempo Variance
Rubato Freely with respect to tempo
Rallentando To slow down
Ritard To slow down drastically
Allegro A fast tempo


Time

Tempo The speed of the beat of a composition
Time Signature A notational device used to indicate the meter
Cut time Another name for 2-2 time
Metronome A device that gives you beats per measure


Key

Key Signature Tells which notes to play sharp or flat
Modulation Change of key within a composition
Tuning The process of pitch-adjustment


Music, Staff, Accents, and Terms

Phrase A group of notes that make a tune
Melody A complete musical thought, a musical sentence
Bar line A vertical line in music notation that divides one measure from another
Measure The space between two adjacent bar lines
Downbeat The first and strongest beat of a measure
Syncopation Accent on the off-beat


Notations

Accent Extra emphasis on a note or beat
Dot In rhythmic notation, a mark following a note to increase its duration by one half
Staccato Short, separated notes
Fermata To hold the note longer than its written worth
Tie A notational device used to combine the value of two adjacent notes
Repeat the previous measure
DS Go back to the sign
DC Go back to the beginning
Coda A final or concluding passage
Fine An ending


Treble Clef Bass Clef