Musical Terms and Definitions

A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes is called ________.

• Trill

• Glissando

• Arpeggio

• Staccato

Suddenly or abruptly is described as ________.

• Subito

• Lento

• Piano

• Allegro

An emphasis or stress on a note is called ________.

• Accent

• Chord

• Scale

• Rest

Notes played in a short, detached manner are called ________.

• Staccato

• Legato

• Tenuto

• Marcato

A note held for its full value or slightly longer is called ________.

• Tenuto

• Staccato

• Marcato

• Fermata

Different endings for repeated sections in music are called ________.

• First/Second Ending

• Coda

• Bridge

• Verse

A contrasting middle section in a march or dance piece, often played by a smaller group, is called ________.

• Trio

• Coda

• Prelude

• Interlude

Fill in the blank: Marked, accented, and somewhat detached is described as ________.

A note played loudly (forte) and then immediately softly (piano) is called ________.

• Forte-piano (fp)

• Sforzando (sfz)

• Mezzo-forte (mf)

• Crescendo

A sudden, strong accent is called ________.

• Sforzando (sfz)

• Legato

• Staccato

• Pianissimo