Music Terminology Encyclopedia

A fast and lively tempo, typically between 120-156 BPM.

A moderately slow, walking tempo, typically between 76-108 BPM.

A very fast tempo, typically between 168-200 BPM.

A slow and stately tempo, typically between 66-76 BPM.

A very slow and broad tempo, typically between 40-60 BPM.

A lively and fast tempo, typically between 156-176 BPM.

A moderate tempo, typically between 108-120 BPM.

A slow tempo, typically between 45-60 BPM.

A moderately fast tempo, slightly slower than Allegro, typically 112-120 BPM.

A very slow and solemn tempo, typically below 40 BPM.

The fastest possible tempo, typically above 200 BPM.

A flexible tempo that allows expressive speeding up and slowing down at the performer's discretion.

A gradual increase in tempo.

A gradual slowing down of tempo.

An instruction to return to the previous tempo after a deviation such as ritardando or accelerando.

Very soft. One of the quietest standard dynamic levels.

Soft. A quiet dynamic level.

Moderately soft. Slightly louder than piano.

Moderately loud. Slightly softer than forte.

Loud. A strong and prominent dynamic level.

Very loud. One of the loudest standard dynamic levels.

A sudden, strong accent on a single note or chord.

A gradual increase in volume over a passage of music.

A gradual decrease in volume over a passage of music.

A gradual decrease in volume, synonym for decrescendo.

Loud, then immediately soft. A sudden dynamic contrast on the same note.

Dying away; getting softer and often slower simultaneously.

Suddenly loud, an immediate change to a loud volume.

Suddenly soft, an immediate change to a quiet volume.

Extremely soft, even softer than pianissimo.

Notes played short and detached, with silence between them.

Notes played smoothly and connected, with no gaps between them.

A note played with extra emphasis or stress.

A note held for its full value or slightly longer, with emphasis on sustaining.

A strong accent; notes played with forceful emphasis.

Between legato and staccato; notes slightly separated but still connected in phrasing.

A string technique where the bow bounces lightly off the string, creating a crisp articulation.

A string technique where notes are plucked with the fingers instead of bowed.

An instruction for string players to use the bow, typically after a pizzicato passage.

A pause symbol indicating a note or rest should be held longer than its written value.

A continuous slide between two pitches, passing through all intermediate notes.

A smooth, continuous glide from one pitch to another, distinct from glissando.

An extreme staccato; notes played as short as possible.

A string technique where the wooden stick of the bow is used instead of the hair.

A clef that assigns the note G above middle C to the second line of the staff. Used for higher-pitched instruments and voices.

A clef that assigns the note F below middle C to the fourth line of the staff. Used for lower-pitched instruments and voices.

A note lasting four beats in common (4/4) time. An open oval with no stem.

A note lasting two beats in common (4/4) time. An open oval with a stem.

A note lasting one beat in common (4/4) time. A filled oval with a stem.

A note lasting half a beat in common (4/4) time. A filled oval with a stem and one flag.

An accidental that raises a note by one semitone (half step).

An accidental that lowers a note by one semitone (half step).

An accidental that cancels a previous sharp or flat, restoring a note to its unaltered pitch.

A notational convention that indicates the number of beats per measure and the note value of one beat.

A set of sharp or flat symbols placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate the key of the music.

A symbol indicating a period of silence for a specific duration, corresponding to note values.

A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch, combining their durations into one sustained note.

A curved line connecting notes of different pitches, indicating they should be played smoothly (legato).

A rapid alternation between a note and the note directly above it.

A quick alternation between a note, the note below (lower mordent) or above (upper mordent), and back.

An ornament consisting of four notes: the note above, the main note, the note below, and the main note again.

A grace note that takes time from the following main note, creating an expressive dissonance before resolving.

A crushed grace note played as quickly as possible before the main note, taking negligible time.

A rapid repetition of a single note, or rapid alternation between two notes.

A slight, rapid fluctuation in pitch used to add warmth and expressiveness to a sustained note.

A small notated note used as an ornament, played quickly before or after the main note.

An extended, virtuosic solo passage in a concerto, often improvised or written by the performer.

The notes of a chord played one after another in succession rather than simultaneously.

Another name for a turn ornament; a group of notes that embellish the main note.

When used as an ornament, a rapid slide across many notes for decorative or dramatic effect.

In Baroque usage, a vocal ornament consisting of a rapid repetition of the same note (distinct from modern trill).

An ornamental note or notes added at the end of a trill or main note, serving as a graceful termination.

A concluding passage that brings a piece or movement to an end, often added after the main structure.

A sign marking a specific point in the music to which the performer should return or skip to.

An instruction to repeat the piece from the very beginning.

An instruction to repeat from the segno sign.

Marks the end of a piece, especially when the ending comes in the middle of the score due to repeats.

Barline symbols indicating a section of music should be played again.

A large-scale musical structure with three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.

A musical form where a principal theme alternates with contrasting episodes (ABACABA).

A two-part musical structure (AB), where each section is usually repeated.

A three-part musical structure (ABA), where the first section returns after a contrasting middle section.

A short musical pattern that repeats persistently throughout a composition or section.

A sequence of chords that brings a musical phrase or section to a point of rest or resolution.

A short coda; a brief concluding passage, often found at the end of a section within a larger form.

A short passage of music played between sections, acts, or verses.

An instruction to play sweetly and softly, with a gentle and tender character.

An instruction to play with expression and emotional intensity.

An instruction to play in a singing, lyrical style.

An instruction to play with fire, energy, and passionate intensity.

An instruction to play with vigor, spirit, and liveliness.

An instruction to play with deep passion and intense emotion.

An instruction to play in a majestic, stately, and dignified manner.

An instruction to play in a playful, humorous, and joyful manner.

An instruction to play lightly and delicately.

An instruction to play in an agitated, restless, and hurried manner.

An instruction to play calmly, quietly, and peacefully.

An instruction to play with motion and movement, suggesting a flowing tempo.

An instruction to play in a playful, joking manner.

An instruction to sustain notes for their full value or beyond, creating a smooth, sustained effect.