Music Terminology

Question 0

forte

Answer 0

loud

Question 1

pizz.

Answer 1

(pizzicato) to pluck the string, normally with the index finger of the right hand

Question 2

mezzo forte

Answer 2

medium loud or half soft

Question 3

mezzo piano

Answer 3

medium soft or half soft

Question 4

mute

Answer 4

are used to muffle the sound of an instrument

Question 5

+

Answer 5

placed over a given note for strings it means to pluck with one of the left hand fingers

Question 6

sFp

Answer 6

indicates a sforzando immediately followed by piano

Question 7

sFz

Answer 7

indicates a sforzando which is a note or chord executed with a forceful accent

Question 8

p

Answer 8

piano-soft

Question 9

>

Answer 9

placed above or below the note; this is indicated as a very strong accent

Question 10

cresc.

Answer 10

abbreviation for crescendo- growing, becoming louder

Question 11

dim.

Answer 11

abbreviation for diminuendo

Question 12

soli

Answer 12

instructions for a group or section to play the solo part together

Question 13

arco

Answer 13

with the bow

Question 14

staccato

Answer 14

making each note brief and detached

Question 15

tenuto

Answer 15

to be held for the full time value; sustained

Question 16

tip

Answer 16

play at the tip of the bow

Question 17

mid

Answer 17

play in the middle of the bow

Question 18

div./divisi.

Answer 18

abbreviation for divided, a musical direction indicating that a section of players should be divided into two or more groups

Question 19

dolce

Answer 19

meaning “sweet” is an indication to play in a tender, adoring manner

Question 20

rit.

Answer 20

abbreviation for ritardando-slowing down

Question 21

molto

Answer 21

very much

Question 22

molto rit.

Answer 22

slowing down very much

Question 23

tutti

Answer 23

all, meaning a passage played by the whole orchestra

Question 24

Adagio

Answer 24

slow

Question 25

Allegro

Answer 25

cheerful, lively

Question 26

Andante

Answer 26

walking

Question 27

spiccato

Answer 27

known as off the string staccato

Question 28

scale

Answer 28

a sequence of notes played in ascending or descending order by step

Question 29

key signature

Answer 29

the sharps or flats at the beginning of a piece of music, indicating the sharps, flats, and naturals belonging to the key of the music

Question 30

Italian

Answer 30

the most common language used in music terminology

Question 31

French, German

Answer 31

other languages used in music

Question 32

polonaise

Answer 32

A polish dance in 3/4 time

Question 33

Chopin and Kilar

Answer 33

the two composers featured on the program for our field trip

Question 34

Poland

Answer 34

the country Kilar and Chopin were from