Music Terminology

A symbol or word used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.

• Accelerando

• Ritardando

• Energico

• Rallentando

A direction to play lively and fast

• Cadenza

• Allegro

• Adagio

• Lento

Scale that includes all twelve notes of an octave

• Pentatonic Scale

• Major Scale

• Mixolydian Mode

• Chromatic Scale

Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume

• Expression

• Exposition

• Rhythm

• Dynamics

The structure of a piece of music

• Organization

• Form

• Figure

• Construction

Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious

• Grave

• Slowando

• Allegretto

• Maestro

The distance in pitch between two notes

• Step

• Diatonic

• Interval

• Harmony

A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.

• Measure

• Phrase

• Recitative

• Refrain

Short detached notes, as opposed to legato

• Pointed

• Timbre

• Staccato

• Marcato

A flexible approach to metered rhythm in which the tempo can be momentarily sped up or slowed down at will for greater personal expression

• Legato

• Sequence

• Scherzo

• Rubato