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Music Theory: Performance

Word List with 45 words
*By Dictionary.com

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Words in This List

accelerando
adverb, adjecti
gradually increasing in speed
adagio
adverb
in a leisurely manner
allegro
adjective, adve
brisk or rapid in tempo
andante
adjective, adve
moderately slow and even
andantino
adjective, adve
slightly faster than andante
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antiphonal
adjective
alternate chanting or signing by the choir
arco
adverb
performance of a passage for stringed instruments with the bow
aria
noun
elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio
articulation
noun
performance technique which affects the continuity between multiple notes
call and response
adjective
style of singing in which a melody sung by one singer is responded to, echoed by one or more singers
concerto
noun
composition for one or more principal instruments, with orchestral accompaniment
crescendo
noun
gradual, steady increase in loudness or force
diminuendo
adjective, adve
gradually reducing in force or loudness
dynamics
plural verb
execution of a piece of music, either stylistic or functional
forte
adjective
performed with force
fortissimo
adjective
to be performed very loud
grave
adjective
musical piece performed at a slow temp
improvisation
noun
performing without previous preparation
interlude
noun
short dramatic piece, esp. of a light played between two sections
largo
adjective, adve
slow, broad, dignified style
legato
adjective, adve
without breaks between the successive tones
lento
adjective
movement or passage performed slowly
marcato
adjective
strongly accented chords in a musical score
mezzo forte
noun
somewhat softer than forte but louder than piano
mezzo piano
noun
somewhat louder than piano but softer than forte
moderato
adjective
in moderate time
opera
noun
extended dramatic composition in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment
phrasing
noun
grouping of the notes of a musical line into distinct phrases
pianissimo
adjective
performed very softly
piano
adjective
performed softly, subdued
pizzicato
adjective
played by plucking the strings with the finger instead of using the bow, as on a violin
postlude
noun
concluding piece or movement
prelude
noun
piece that precedes a more important movement
presto
noun
movement or piece in quick tempo
ritardando
adjective, adve
becoming gradually slower
ritenuto
adverb, adjecti
immediately slower
rubato
adjective
having certain notes arbitrarily lengthened while others are correspondingly shortened, vice versa
slur
verb (used with
to sing to a single syllable or play without a break two or more tones of different pitch
sonata
noun
composition for one or two instruments, typically in three or four movements in contrasted forms
staccato
adjective
characterized by performance in which the notes are abruptly disconnected
symphony
noun
elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements
tempo
noun
relative rapidity or rate of movement, usually indicated by such terms as adagio, allegro
tenuto
adjective
held to the full time value of a note, chord, or rest
terrace dynamics
adjective
volume levels shift from soft to loud without crescendos and decrescendos
vivace
adverb, adjecti
lively musical direction

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