Musical Dictionary

Singing without instrumental accompaniment, typically performed by a choir or vocal group.

A gradual increase in tempo, often used to build excitement or tension in a piece.

Emphasis placed on a particular note or beat, making it stand out from the surrounding notes.

A symbol (sharp, flat, or natural) that alters the pitch of a note from its standard value in the key signature.

A slow tempo, typically between 66-76 BPM, often used for expressive, lyrical passages.

A fast, lively tempo, typically between 120-168 BPM, often used for energetic movements.

The lowest female voice type or the second highest part in choral music, typically ranging from F3 to F5.

A moderate walking tempo, typically between 76-108 BPM, suggesting a relaxed but steady pace.

The notes of a chord played in succession rather than simultaneously, creating a harp-like effect.

A segment of music defined by a given number of beats, separated by vertical bar lines on a staff.

A male voice type between tenor and bass, typically ranging from A2 to A4.

The lowest male voice type, typically ranging from E2 to E4, providing the harmonic foundation.

A clef symbol (𝄢) indicating that the fourth line of the staff represents F below middle C.

The basic unit of time in music, the pulse that listeners tap their feet to.

Beats Per Minute - a measurement of tempo indicating how many beats occur in one minute.

A family of wind instruments made of brass, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, and tuba.

A sequence of chords that brings a phrase or piece to a close, creating a sense of resolution.

A composition where a melody is imitated by one or more voices at fixed intervals, like 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'.

Three or more notes sounded together in harmony.

Moving by half steps, or relating to a scale containing all twelve pitches within an octave.

A symbol at the beginning of a staff indicating the pitch of the notes on the lines and spaces.

A concluding passage that brings a piece to a satisfying end, often marked with a coda symbol (𝄌).

A time signature of 4/4, indicated by a 'C' symbol, with four quarter-note beats per measure.

The technique of combining two or more melodic lines in a harmonically interdependent relationship.

A gradual increase in volume, often indicated by a widening wedge symbol (<).

An instruction to return to the beginning of the piece and play again.

An instruction to return to the segno sign (𝄋) and continue playing from there.

A gradual decrease in volume, also called diminuendo, often indicated by a narrowing wedge symbol (>).

Relating to a standard major or minor scale without chromatic alterations.

A gradual decrease in volume, synonymous with decrescendo.

A direction to play sweetly and softly, with a gentle, tender expression.

A note with a dot beside it, extending its duration by half of its original value.

The first beat of a measure, typically the strongest beat, where the conductor's hand moves downward.

A sustained note or chord that continues throughout a passage or piece, often in the bass.

A composition for two performers, either vocalists or instrumentalists.

The varying levels of volume in music, from very soft (pianissimo) to very loud (fortissimo).

A note with a duration of half a quarter note, represented by a filled oval with a stem and flag.

Notes that sound the same but are written differently, such as C# and Db.

A group of musicians performing together, or the quality of coordination within such a group.

A direction to play expressively, with emotional intensity and flexibility.

A short composition designed to develop a specific technical skill or musical ability.

A symbol (𝄐) indicating that a note or rest should be held longer than its written value, at the performer's discretion.

An interval spanning five scale degrees, such as from C to G.

A symbol (♭) that lowers a note by one half step.

A dynamic marking indicating loud volume.

A dynamic marking indicating very loud volume.

An interval spanning four scale degrees, such as from C to F.

A complex contrapuntal composition where a theme is introduced and developed through imitation in multiple voices.

A continuous slide from one pitch to another, covering all intermediate pitches.

A small ornamental note played quickly before the main note, adding decoration to a melody.

A very slow, solemn tempo, typically between 25-45 BPM.

A stringed instrument played by plucking or strumming, typically with six strings.

A note with a duration of two quarter notes, represented by an open oval with a stem.

The smallest interval in Western music, the distance between adjacent keys on a piano.

A note produced by lightly touching a string at specific points, creating a bell-like tone.

The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions.

The spontaneous creation of music during performance, common in jazz and folk traditions.

The distance in pitch between two notes, measured in scale degrees.

The accuracy of pitch in playing or singing, or the specific pitch system used.

A chord with a note other than the root in the bass, or a melody turned upside down.

The tonal center of a piece, defined by a specific scale and its associated sharps or flats.

The sharps or flats at the beginning of each staff line, indicating the key of the piece.

A very slow, broad tempo, typically between 40-60 BPM, often used for stately passages.

Short lines added above or below the staff to extend its range for higher or lower notes.

A smooth, connected style of playing where notes flow into one another without separation.

A slow tempo, similar to largo, typically between 45-60 BPM.

A scale or chord quality characterized by a specific pattern of whole and half steps, typically sounding bright or happy.

A style of playing notes with strong emphasis and separation, more pronounced than regular accents.

A segment of music containing a specified number of beats, same as a bar.

A sequence of single notes that form a recognizable musical phrase or tune.

A device that produces regular ticks or beats at a specified tempo, used for practice.

A dynamic marking indicating moderately loud volume, between piano and forte.

A dynamic marking indicating moderately soft volume, between pianissimo and mezzo forte.

A female voice type between soprano and alto, typically ranging from A3 to A5.

A scale or chord quality characterized by a lowered third degree, typically sounding sad or dark.

A moderate tempo, typically between 108-120 BPM, neither too fast nor too slow.

The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music.

A short musical idea or phrase that recurs throughout a composition, serving as a building block.

A symbol (♮) that cancels a previous sharp or flat, returning a note to its unaltered pitch.

A symbol representing a musical sound of definite pitch and duration.

An interval spanning eight scale degrees, where the higher note has double the frequency of the lower.

A dramatic work combining singing, orchestral music, acting, and often dance.

A term used to catalog a composer's works, usually numbered in order of publication.

A large ensemble of instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

A repeated musical pattern or phrase that persists throughout a section or entire piece.

Instruments played by striking, shaking, or scraping, including drums, cymbals, and xylophone.

A musical sentence, a coherent group of notes forming a distinct unit within a larger piece.

A dynamic marking indicating very soft volume.

A keyboard instrument where strings are struck by hammers when keys are pressed.

A dynamic marking indicating soft volume.

The perceived frequency of a sound, determining how high or low a note sounds.

A technique where string players pluck the strings with their fingers instead of using the bow.

Music consisting of two or more independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously.

A very fast tempo, typically between 168-200 BPM, often used for exciting finales.

A note with a duration of one beat in 4/4 time, represented by a filled oval with a stem.

A composition for four performers, or the group of four musicians performing together.

A quintet is a chamber music group that consists of five (5) players. Some common examples include the brass quintet and the woodwind quintet.

A gradual slowing down of tempo, similar to ritardando.

A specific range of pitches, such as high, middle, or low register of an instrument or voice.

A symbol (𝄆 𝄇) indicating that a section of music should be played again.

A symbol indicating silence for a specific duration, corresponding to note values.

The pattern of durations of notes and rests in music, creating its temporal structure.

A gradual slowing down of tempo, often used at the end of phrases or pieces.

The fundamental note upon which a chord is built, giving the chord its name.

A flexible approach to tempo where some notes are lengthened while others are shortened for expressive effect.

A sequence of notes arranged in ascending or descending order according to a specific pattern.

A written or printed representation of a musical composition showing all vocal and instrumental parts.

An interval spanning two scale degrees, such as from C to D.

A sudden, strong accent on a single note or chord.

A symbol (♯) that raises a note by one half step.

A note with a duration of one quarter of a quarter note, represented by a filled oval with a stem and two flags.

A curved line connecting notes of different pitches, indicating they should be played smoothly together.

A passage or piece performed by one musician, or the featured performer in a concerto.

A composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four movements.

The highest female voice type, typically ranging from C4 to C6.

A style of playing where notes are short and detached, indicated by dots above or below notes.

The five horizontal lines on which musical notes are written, also called a stave.

A family of instruments producing sound through vibrating strings, including violin, viola, cello, and bass.

A large-scale composition for orchestra, typically in four movements.

Emphasis on normally weak beats or off-beats, creating rhythmic tension and interest.

The speed at which a piece of music is played, usually indicated by BPM or Italian terms.

The highest male voice type, typically ranging from C3 to C5.

A three-part musical structure (ABA) where the first section returns after a contrasting middle section.

An interval spanning three scale degrees, such as from C to E.

A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch, indicating they should be held as one continuous sound.

A symbol at the beginning of a piece indicating the number of beats per measure and the note value of one beat.

The organization of music around a central pitch or tonic, creating a sense of key.

The first note of a scale and the harmonic center of a key, providing a sense of home.

To move a piece of music to a different key while maintaining the same intervallic relationships.

A clef symbol (𝄞) indicating that the second line of the staff represents G above middle C.

A rapid repetition of a single note or alternation between two notes, creating a trembling effect.

A chord consisting of three notes: the root, third, and fifth.

A rapid alternation between a note and the note above it, used as an ornament.

A composition for three performers, or the group of three musicians performing together.

A group of three notes played in the time normally occupied by two notes of the same value.

The process of adjusting an instrument's pitch to a standard reference, typically A=440Hz.

Two or more voices or instruments performing the same pitch or melody simultaneously.

The beat before the first beat of a measure, also called the anacrusis or pickup.

A slight, rapid variation in pitch used to add warmth and expression to a sustained note.

A highly skilled musician with exceptional technical ability, or music requiring such skill.

A lively, fast tempo, typically between 140-176 BPM.

An individual melodic line in a composition, whether sung or played by instruments.

A dance in 3/4 time with a strong first beat, or music composed in this style.

A note with a duration of four quarter notes in 4/4 time, represented by an open oval without a stem.

An interval equal to two half steps, the distance of two adjacent keys on a piano with one key between.

A family of wind instruments including flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon.