Music Terminology

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  1. 2. The easiest way to picture an octave is by looking at the keys on a piano. Start at Middle C and count up eight notes to the next C. Each similar interval of eight notes is known as an octave. If a piece is played “one octave higher” it means that the player has to start one octave up from the original starting point.
  2. 3. The speed of a piece of music.
  3. 5. When several notes are played together to form chords in some type of progression, it is known as a harmony. In general, harmonies form a pleasing sound.
  4. 9. Largo, translated literally from Italian, means broad. In a musical context, it is an instruction to play slowly.
  5. 10. The pattern or beat that occurs in a piece of music. For example, a waltz is very distinctive by its three-beat rhythm.
  6. 11. An interlude is a piece of music that acts as a bridge to join two other pieces or works.
  7. 15. Unison indicates playing together. A piece or part of a piece might require playing in unison, where multiple musicians would have to play the piece together.
  8. 16. Signature – In sheet music, each section typically shows a key signature. The key signature is denoted as a combination of flats or sharps to indicate the key in which the piece should be played.
  9. 17. Typically a folk song, or a piece of music written to imitate such a song. Sometimes spelled as ballad.
  10. 18. Typically a classical piece designed for only a soloist, sometimes with a pianist in the background.
  11. 19. An instruction in sheet music to play loudly; often abbreviated as f.
  12. 20. The sound of notes played together that lack harmony. Dissonant chords often convey feelings such as discomfort, doom or anger.
  13. 22. – Any series of successive notes played ascending or descending.
  14. 24. A male voice positioned in the middle of the choir’s range.
Down
  1. 1. A metronome is a small device that makes a steady ticking sound according to the tempo that it is set at. Metronomes are used to help players practice a piece at different speeds. When people mention playing or recording to a metronome, it simply means that a metronome was set in the background.
  2. 4. Stemming from the Latin quartus meaning four, a quartet is a group of four musicians.
  3. 6. Usually written in sheet music to indicate that the player should reduce the volume of their playing.
  4. 7. A gradual increase in volume of the music.
  5. 8. Mezzo means half, and it is used in conjunction with other words. For example, mezzo-forte would mean half as loud as normal.
  6. 12. A piece of music that expresses grief or sorrow.
  7. 13. When notes are played legato, they are played smoothly so that they flow together seamlessly.
  8. 14. A style of creating a vibration effect when playing or singing.
  9. 17. Music ranging from the 1600s to around 1750 is generally described as belonging to the baroque era. Examples of baroque composers include Vivaldi, Bach and Handel.
  10. 21. An Italian word referring to a quick and lively tempo. It generally has a very upbeat feel to it.
  11. 23. In music terminology, piano is not referring to the musical instrument but rather the way in which music is played. Piano means that it should be played softly. The word ‘piano’ can a suffix to indicate the degree of softness. Pianissimo (pp) means even softer.