Glossary
Adagio
A tempo marking indicating a slow and stately speed.
Example:
The slow movement of a symphony is often marked Adagio.
Allegretto
A tempo marking indicating a moderately fast speed, slightly slower than allegro.
Example:
A light and cheerful dance might be played Allegretto.
Allegro
A tempo marking indicating a fast, quick, and bright speed.
Example:
Many classical sonata movements begin with an Allegro tempo.
Andante
A tempo marking indicating a moderate speed, literally 'at a walking pace'.
Example:
A comfortable, flowing melody is often played Andante.
Andantino
A tempo marking indicating a speed slightly faster than Andante.
Example:
A slightly more animated walking pace might be indicated by Andantino.
Articulation
The manner in which individual notes are played or sung, affecting their attack, duration, and decay.
Example:
Different articulation markings can completely change the character of a musical phrase.
Bass Clef
Also known as the F clef, it indicates that the fourth line from the bottom of the staff is F below middle C, commonly used for lower-pitched instruments and voices.
Example:
The cello's deep tones are notated in the bass clef, making its lower register easy to read.
Beat
The fundamental pulse of music, providing the underlying rhythmic framework.
Example:
Tapping your foot along with a song helps you feel the beat.
Chromatic
Referring to notes or harmonies that are outside of the prevailing major or minor key, often involving accidentals.
Example:
Adding a C# to a melody in C major introduces a chromatic element.
Chromatic Scale
A musical scale consisting entirely of half steps, encompassing all twelve pitches within an octave.
Example:
Playing every single key on a piano, black and white, in order, creates a chromatic scale.
Compound Meter
A meter where the main beats are divided into three equal subdivisions (e.g., 6/8, 9/8, 12/8).
Example:
A jig often uses compound meter like 6/8, giving it a lilting, triplet feel.
Crescendo (<)
A dynamic marking indicating to gradually get louder.
Example:
A crescendo builds excitement as the music slowly increases in volume.
Decrescendo (>) / Diminuendo (dim.)
Dynamic markings indicating to gradually get softer.
Example:
A decrescendo can create a fading effect as the music slowly decreases in volume.
Diatonic
Referring to notes or harmonies that belong naturally to a specific major or minor key, using only the pitches found within that scale.
Example:
A melody that uses only the notes of the C major scale is considered diatonic to C major.
Dominant
The fifth scale degree, located a perfect fifth above the tonic, which strongly pulls towards the tonic and is crucial for harmonic progression.
Example:
The G in a C major scale is the dominant, often leading back to C.
Duple Meter
A meter with two beats per measure, which can be simple (e.g., 2/4) or compound (e.g., 6/8).
Example:
A simple march is often in duple meter, with a strong-weak beat pattern.
Dynamics
The loudness or softness of music, indicated by specific markings.
Example:
Composers use dynamics to create emotional contrast and shape the musical narrative.
Eighth Note
A note value that is half the duration of a quarter note, typically receiving half a beat.
Example:
Two eighth notes can fit into the space of one quarter note, creating a faster rhythm.
Flat (♭)
An accidental that lowers a pitch by one half step.
Example:
A B*♭* means to play the note a half step lower than B natural.
Forte (f)
A dynamic marking indicating to play loudly.
Example:
A powerful orchestral chord would be marked f (forte).
Fortissimo (ff)
A dynamic marking indicating to play very loud.
Example:
The climax of a dramatic symphony might be marked ff (fortissimo).
Grand Staff
A combination of the treble and bass clefs, connected by a brace, used to represent a wide range of pitches, often for piano music.
Example:
Pianists read music on a grand staff, with the right hand typically playing notes in the treble clef and the left hand in the bass clef.
Grave
A tempo marking indicating a very slow and solemn speed.
Example:
A funeral march might be marked Grave to convey its somber mood.
Half Note
A note value that is twice the duration of a quarter note, typically receiving two beats.
Example:
A sustained sound in a melody might be written as a half note.
Half Step
The smallest interval in Western music, representing the distance between two adjacent keys on a piano (e.g., C to C# or E to F).
Example:
The interval between B and C is a natural half step.
Key
A tonal center around which a piece of music is organized, determined by a specific scale and its associated harmonies.
Example:
Many pop songs are written in a major key to evoke a happy feeling.
Key Signature
A set of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a staff, indicating the key of a piece of music and which notes are consistently altered.
Example:
The key signature with two sharps tells you the piece is in D major.
Larghetto
A tempo marking indicating a speed that is slightly faster than largo but still quite slow.
Example:
A gentle, flowing melody might be marked Larghetto.
Largo
A tempo marking indicating a broad and very slow speed.
Example:
Handel's famous 'Ombra mai fù' is often performed at a Largo tempo.
Leading Tone
The seventh scale degree in a major scale (and harmonic minor), located a half step below the tonic, creating a strong melodic pull towards the tonic.
Example:
The B in a C major scale is the leading tone, strongly resolving to C.
Legato
An articulation marking indicating to play notes smoothly and connected, without any breaks between them.
Example:
A flowing, lyrical melody is typically played legato.
Lento
A tempo marking indicating a slow speed.
Example:
The opening of a ballad might be played Lento to establish a reflective atmosphere.
Major Scale
A specific type of scale characterized by a pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H, creating a bright and uplifting sound.
Example:
The C major scale is often the first scale musicians learn due to its lack of sharps or flats.
Marcato
An articulation marking indicating to play a note emphasized and strongly accented.
Example:
A powerful, declarative statement in music might feature marcato notes.
Measures (Bars)
Segments of music on the staff, separated by vertical bar lines, that contain a specific number of beats as indicated by the time signature.
Example:
Composers organize their music into measures to create clear rhythmic groupings.
Mediant
The third scale degree, located a whole step or half step above the supertonic, depending on the scale type.
Example:
The E in a C major scale is the mediant.
Meter
The organization of rhythmic pulses into recurring patterns of strong and weak beats, indicated by the time signature.
Example:
The steady march of a band clearly establishes a strong meter.
Mezzo Forte (mf)
A dynamic marking indicating to play moderately loud.
Example:
A strong but not overwhelming melodic line might be marked mf (mezzo forte).
Mezzo Piano (mp)
A dynamic marking indicating to play moderately soft.
Example:
A background accompaniment might be marked mp (mezzo piano) to support the main melody without overpowering it.
Moderato
A tempo marking indicating a moderate speed.
Example:
A piece with a steady, balanced feel might be marked Moderato.
Natural (♮)
An accidental that cancels a previously applied sharp or flat, restoring the note to its original pitch.
Example:
After a measure with C sharp, a C*♮* indicates to play C without any alteration.
Pianissimo (pp)
A dynamic marking indicating to play very soft.
Example:
A whisper-quiet passage would be marked pp (pianissimo).
Piano (p)
A dynamic marking indicating to play softly.
Example:
A delicate melody might be marked p (piano) to ensure it's played quietly.
Prestissimo
A tempo marking indicating the fastest possible speed, even faster than presto.
Example:
Only the most agile performers can truly master a piece marked Prestissimo.
Presto
A tempo marking indicating an extremely fast speed.
Example:
The finale of a virtuosic concerto is often marked Presto.
Quadruple Meter
A meter with four beats per measure, which can be simple (e.g., 4/4) or compound (e.g., 12/8).
Example:
Most popular songs are written in quadruple meter, often 4/4.
Quarter Note
A note value that typically receives one beat in common time signatures like 4/4.
Example:
In a marching band, each step often aligns with a quarter note.
Rests
Symbols in music notation that indicate periods of silence for specific durations, corresponding to note values.
Example:
A composer uses rests to create moments of suspense or allow instruments to breathe.
Rhythmic Pattern
A recurring sequence of note durations and rests that forms a distinct musical phrase or motif.
Example:
The opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony features a famous short-short-short-long rhythmic pattern.
Scale
A series of musical pitches arranged in ascending or descending order, forming the basis for melodies and harmonies.
Example:
Learning to play a scale is often the first step in mastering a new key on an instrument.
Sharp (♯)
An accidental that raises a pitch by one half step.
Example:
If you see a F*♯* in the music, you play the note a half step higher than F natural.
Simple Meter
A meter where the main beats are divided into two equal subdivisions (e.g., 2/4, 3/4, 4/4).
Example:
A waltz is typically in 3/4 simple meter, with each beat dividing into two eighth notes.
Sixteenth Note
A note value that is half the duration of an eighth note, typically receiving one-quarter of a beat.
Example:
Fast, intricate passages often feature many sixteenth notes played in rapid succession.
Staccato
An articulation marking indicating to play a note short and detached, with a brief silence after it.
Example:
A bouncy, playful melody might use staccato notes.
Staff
The fundamental framework for writing music, composed of five horizontal lines and four spaces.
Example:
A melody is typically written on a musical staff to show its pitch and rhythm.
Subdominant
The fourth scale degree, located a perfect fourth above the tonic, often creating a sense of movement away from the tonic.
Example:
In the key of F major, B-flat is the subdominant.
Submediant
The sixth scale degree, located a major or minor sixth above the tonic.
Example:
In a C major scale, A is the submediant.
Supertonic
The second scale degree, located a whole step above the tonic.
Example:
In a C major scale, D is the supertonic.
Tempo
The speed at which a piece of music is played, typically measured in beats per minute (bpm) or indicated by descriptive terms.
Example:
A fast tempo can make a piece feel energetic and exciting.
Tenuto
An articulation marking indicating to play a note for its full value, often with a slight emphasis.
Example:
A sustained, expressive note might be marked tenuto.
Time Signature
A musical notation symbol consisting of two numbers, indicating the number of beats per measure (top number) and the note value that receives one beat (bottom number).
Example:
The time signature 4/4 means there are four quarter notes per measure.
Tonic
The first and most stable note of a scale, serving as the tonal center or home base of a key.
Example:
In the key of G major, G is the tonic, providing a sense of resolution.
Treble Clef
Also known as the G clef, it indicates that the second line from the bottom of the staff is G above middle C, commonly used for higher-pitched instruments and voices.
Example:
The violin plays in the treble clef, allowing it to easily read its high melodic lines.
Triple Meter
A meter with three beats per measure, which can be simple (e.g., 3/4) or compound (e.g., 9/8).
Example:
A waltz is a classic example of music in triple meter.
Vivace
A tempo marking indicating a lively and fast speed, often faster than allegro.
Example:
A vibrant and energetic piece might be marked Vivace.
Whole Note
A note value that is twice the duration of a half note, typically receiving four beats in common time signatures.
Example:
A long, held chord at the end of a piece is often a whole note.
Whole Step
An interval equivalent to two half steps, representing the distance between two notes (e.g., C to D).
Example:
The distance from C to D is a whole step, as it skips over C#.