Music Terminology

Front

Accent

Back

Emphasis placed on a note, making it stand out.

Front

Allegro

Back

A fast and lively tempo.

Front

Andante

Back

A moderately slow tempo, like a walking pace.

Front

Arpeggio

Back

Notes of a chord played one after another rather than simultaneously.

Front

Articulation

Back

The way notes are started and ended (e.g., staccato, legato, slurred).

Front

Balance

Back

The volume relationship among instruments or sections so that all parts are heard clearly.

Front

Bar Line

Back

A vertical line that separates measures in written music.

Front

Blend

Back

The mixing of sounds to create a unified tone.

Front

Crescendo (cresc.)

Back

Gradually getting louder.

Front

Decrescendo (decresc.) / Diminuendo (dim.)

Back

Gradually getting softer.