Musical Terms and Concepts

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Largo

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An instruction meaning the music is usually slow in speed, or broad in tempo.

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Legato

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An instruction indicating that a sequence of notes should be played smoothly, or joined up, as opposed to disconnected.

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Leggiero

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An instruction meaning to play lightly and without force.

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(col) Legno

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An instruction for string players, usually written as 'col legno' (with the wood). This indicates that the string player should use the wooden side of the bow to hit the strings with.

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Leitmotif

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A short, recurring musical phrase, usually associated with a character, idea, event or object. This is the musical equivalent of branding. Wagner used the technique extensively in his music dramas.

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Lento

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A tempo instruction meaning the music is slow.

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Libretto

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The text of an opera or vocal work, which was traditionally printed in a small book.

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Lied(er)

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A form of song in the German tradition, exemplified by: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wolff, Mahler and Richard Strauss.

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Madrigal

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A vocal composition originating in 14th Century Italy. Madrigals are usually of a secular nature, and became very popular in the Renaissance and early Baroque periods.

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Major

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A scale which corresponds on the piano to all the white notes, C to C. A C major triad chord consists of the notes: C, E, and G. Generally, major keys sound 'happy' while minor keys sound 'sad'.