| Term | Definition |
|---|
| octave | the interval between the 1st and 2nd degrees of a diatonic scale |
| breath mark | indicates in the music when to take a breath |
| DC Al Fine | go back to the beginning of piece and play until fine |
| fine | finish, the end |
| chromatic scale | sequence of notes in half step |
| fermata | hold |
| scale | a series of notes that follow a definite pattern of half steps and whole steps |
| chord | a combination of different tones |
| unison | all instruments playing the same tone or same tone in octaves |
| melody | the tune of a piece |
| Da Capo | go back to the beginning of the peice |
| Del Segno | go back to the sign |
| accent | stress or emphasis |
| staccato | short and separated |
| tenuto | notes played with full value |
| marcato | marked, well accented |
| legato | sustained and broad |
| simile | similar, keep playing in a similar manner |
| interval | distance between 2 notes |
| etude | a study or exercise piece written to improve technique |
| trio | composition of 3 players |
| quartet | composition of 4 players |
| duet | composition of 2 players |
| solo | performing alone |
| quintet | composition of 5 players |
| cadenza | a solo passage played with freedom |
| dolce | sweetly |
| coda | the ending of a passage |
| embouchure | lip muscles used in producing tone of instrument |
| measure | A segment of music divided by bar lines |
| double bar lines | Indicates the end of a piece |
| staff | Five evenly spaced horizontal lines |
| ledger lines | Lines above or below the staff |
| Time Signature | Tells how many beats are in each measure and what kind of note gets one beat |
| Bass Clef | f clef |
| Treble Clef | g clef |
| key signature | Tells you what key the piece is in |
| sharp | Raises the pitch by half a step |
| flat | Lowers the pitch by half a step |
| natural | Note is not flat or sharp. Cancels the effects of flat or sharp |
| accidentals | Sharps, flats, naturals found in the music |
| whole note | 4 beats |
| quarter note | 1 beat |
| half note | 2 beats |
| tie | A curved line that connects notes of the same pitch |
| slur | A curved line that connects notes of a different pitch |
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