Band Vocabulary

This is a curved line that connects two notes of the same pitch.

• Beam

• Slur

• Tie

• Crescendo

Names of the note that comes before the first full measure:

• Pick-Up Note

• Stinger

• Pre-Note

• Anacrusis

The mouth formation used to play a wind instrument.

• Mouthpiece

• Chops

• Aperture

• Embouchure

This tells you how many beats are in a measure:

• Barline

• Time Signature

• Key Signature

• Rhythm

Tempo marking meaning slow:

• Allegro

• Moderato

• Presto

• Largo

These two words mean gradually slow the tempo.

• Rallentando

• Ritardando

• Rillardando

• Ritentando

Notes of a chord played one at a time:

• Scale

• Arteggio

• Andante

• Arpeggio

Playing in a smooth style:

• Legato

• Staccato

• Marcato

• Stringendo

Hold a note or rest for longer than its usual duration:

• Tie

• Fermata

• Ritardando

• Slur

How loud or soft to play:

• Articulation

• Dimensions

• Dynamics

• Durations