Basic Music Vocabulary

Front

Allegro

Back

Fast tempo, quick, cheerful. Faster than Allegretto.

Front

Adagio

Back

Slow tempo, slower than Andante

Front

Accent

Back

Play the note with emphasis. Strings - Use more force and speed with the bow. Winds - Use more air and slightly more forceful articulation. Percussion - Play with more force - Use gravity.

Front

Accelerando

Back

Gradually faster. Often abbreviated as accel.

Front

Accidental

Back

Flat, Sharp, or natural sign that appears within a piece of music. When written on a single note, accidentals always appear in FRONT of the note.

Front

Alto Clef

Back

Used for instruments in the alto (middle) range of notes. Viola commonly uses alto clef.

Front

Andante

Back

Walking speed, moderately slow tempo, slower than moderato and Andantino. Quarter Note = 72-76.

Front

Articulation

Back

A technique used to provide separation and clarity to each note. Articulations can be adjusted in both their strength and length.

Front

Bar Line

Back

Lines which cross the staff and divide it into measures or bars.

Front

Bass Clef

Back

The clef used for notes in the lower pitch ranges. Commonly used by trombone, bassoon, baritone, tuba, timpani, cello, and string bass.