Glossary of Terms

Accent - to emphasize a note

Accidental - a sharp, flat or natural sign that raises or lowers the notes

Anacrusis - a pick-up note - a note or some music right before the beginning of music that is not a full measure

Articulation - how to separate or attack the notes typically with the tongue on wind instruments

Bar line - a line that divides the measures

Breath Mark - looks like an apostrophe and means to take a breath

Chord - playing two or more notes at the same time

Common time - also know as 4/4 time signature

Divisi (div.) - split parts where some performers play one line of music while other performers play another line

Double Bar Line - two lines at the end of music signaling the end of the piece

Duet - where two people or two groups of people play together at the same time

Dynamics - how loud and soft the music is played

Embouchure - how to form your mouth to produce the correct sound on your instrument

Flat - lowers the note by 1/2 step

Grip - the proper way to hold the sticks or mallets while playing percussion instruments

Half Step - the smallest interval between notes

Harmony - Two or more notes played at the same time that typically sounds good together

Improvisation - creating and playing your own music on the spot

Interval - the distance between two notes

Key Signature - sharps or flats located at the beginning of a piece of music to signify what notes are sharp or flat throughout the entire piece

Ledger Line - small lines used for notes above and below the staff

Measure - space between two bar lines

Natural - cancels a sharp or flat

Orchestration - the decision on what instruments will play the music

Phrase - a musical sentence

Pick-Up Note - a note or several notes right before the beginning of the music

Posture - the proper way to sit or stand while playing your instrument

Repeat Sign - a sign that signifies to go back and replay a section of music

Round - Music in which the same part is played by several people but offset at different times

Sharp - raises a note by 1/2 step

Sight-Reading - when reading and playing music for the first time

Slur - an articulation sign meaning to not tongue

Soli - a small group of people playing

Solo - only one person playing

Staff - the lines and spaces notes are placed on

Syncopation - when a strong emphasis is placed on a weak beat

Tempo - the speed of the music

Tie- when two or more notes are combined and played together as one note

Time Signature - at the beginning of a piece of music that tells you how many beats are in the measure and what note equals one beat

Trio - three people playing music at the same time

Tutti - everyone playing together

Unison - everyone playing the same sounding notes

Whole Step - Interval between notes that are made up of 2 half-steps