| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Melody | An organized sequence of single notes. Often the most memorable element of a song. |
| Harmony | A part played along with the melody line that forms a "consonance" or a sound that compliments the melody. |
| Countermelody | A less important melody that can be played along with the main melody. |
| Accompaniment | A vocal or instrumental part that supports or is background for a solo part. |
| Unison | Two or more notes or parts sounding the same pitch |
| Divisi | "Divided." Indicating that seperate parts written on the same staff are to be played by different players. |
| D.S. al Fine | Dal Segno al fine. Means to return to the D.S. sign and play until you reach "fine" |
| D.C. al Fine | Da capo al fine. Means to return to the beginning of the piece and play until you reach "fine." |
| D.C. al Coda | Da Capo al Coda. Means to return to the beginning o fthe piece, play until you reach the "to Cod" marking, then skip to the Coda and play to the end of the piece |
| accelerando | Accelerate/become faster |
| Allegretto | Rather fast: 112-120 beast per minute (similar to moderato) |
| Andante | "Going" A moderate, graceful tempo betwen allegretto and adagio |
| Adagio | "at ease" a slow tempo falling between andante (faster) and largo (slower) |
| Adagietto | A tempo not quite as slow as adagio |
| Maestoso | Majestically; stately |
| Rubato | "Robbed." Freely slowing down and speeding up the tempo without changing the basic pulse. |
| Staccato | "Detached" Short, seperated notes indicated by a dot placed immediately above or below the note heads. |
| Legato | Smooth, connected way of articulating notes. On brass and woodwind instruments, this is accomplished with a "Dah" tongue. |
| Tenuto | "Held" The articulation marking that means to hold a note for its fullest value, generally shown by placing a short horizontal line directly above or below the note head. |
| Marcato | "Marked" Looks like an upside-down "V" over a note indicating both accent and seperation |
| Accent | To emphasize or stress a note (strong attack, quick decay" |
| Fortissimo | Very loud |
| Pianissimo | Very soft |
| Forte-piano | Loud attack, immediately followed by a soft dynamic level for the remainder of the note |
| Sforzando | A strong accent on the beginning of a note-a "stining" accent, followed by a soft dynamic level for the remainder of the note |
| Allargando | slowing down and increasing in volume |
| ritardando | Gradually slackening in speed |
| molto | very |
| meno | less |
| piu | more |
| mezzo | half, medium |
| sempre | always |
| con | with |
| poca a poca | little by little |
| sostenuto | sustained |
| non | not |
| senza | without |
| dolce | sweetly |
| cantabile | in a singing style |
| brio | vigor, spirit |
| mosso | moved; lively |
| facile | light, easy |
| giocoso | humerous |
| grazioso | graceful |
| gusto | style, enjoyment |
| leggiero | lightly |
| maestoso | majestically |
| fuoco | fire |
| anima | spirit |
| piacere | "pleasure" at the performer's discretion |
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