Term | Definition |
Beat | Beat - a steady, underlying pulse |
Rhythm | Rhythm - a pattern performed over a beat |
Duple Meter | Duple Meter - a strong-weak feel feeling |
Triple Meter | Triple Meter - a strong-weak-weak feeling |
Tempo | Tempo - how fast or slow the beat or pulse goes. |
Major Tonic Triad | Major Tonic Triad - consists of Do-Mi-So or a 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degree in major |
Minor Tonic Triad | Minor Tonic Triad - consists of La-Do-Mi or a 1st, 3rd, and 5th scale degree in minor |
Dominant | Dominant - The major V chord in major consisting of So-Re-Ti. (Fa can be included) |
Harmony | Harmony - Any simultaneous combination of tones, mostly arranged into chordal structures |
Cadence | Cadence - The end of a melodic or harmonic phrase in music |
Forte | Forte - Loud |
Piano | Piano - Soft |
Mezzo | Mezzo - medium |
Crescendo | Crescendo - gradually getting louder |
Decrescendo | Decrescendo - gradually getting softer |
Key Signature | Key Signature - A series of sharps or flats written just after the clef |
Meter Signature | Meter Signature - shows how many beats are in a measure and what rhythm symbol gets the beat |
Ostinato | Ostinato - A repeating motif, phrase, or pattern in music |
Bass Line | Bass Line - The root notes of the harmonies/chords in a piece of music |
Diction | Diction - How we pronounce and articulate words and vowels |
Staccato | Staccato - short, separated sound |
Legato | Legato - smooth, connected sound |
Marcato | Marcato - A note, chord, or passage that is forcefully louder than the music surrounding it |
Accent | Accent - A symbol showing that a note is louder than the notes surrounding it |
Tenuto | Tenuto - Indicates to play a note slightly longer or louder than it would normally be played |