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A dynamic marking indicating to play very softly, quieter than piano. Example: Debussy's 'Reverie' features delicate pianissimo passages that evoke a sense of whispering calm.

A tempo marking indicating a slow and leisurely pace. Example: Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' is a poignant piece that exemplifies the adagio tempo.

A musical symbol indicating that a note or chord should be held longer than its natural duration. Example: A fermata over a note in a choral piece might signal the conductor's discretion to hold the note as desired.

A continuous slide upward or downward between two notes. Example: The glissando on the harp in Debussy's 'Clair de Lune' adds a dreamy quality to the piece.

A tempo marking indicating a very slow and broad pace. Example: The 'Largo' from Dvorak's 'New World Symphony' is reflective and expansive.

A musical term referring to notes that are sustained, or held, longer than their notated value. Example: The sostenuto pedal on the piano allows for certain notes to be held while others are played staccato.

A symbol that marks a spot to which the player will return. Example: 'Dal Segno' means to go back to the segno sign, often used in repeats.

A dynamic marking indicating a medium-soft volume level. Example: A piano piece may shift from mezzo forte to mezzo piano to create a more subdued dynamic range.

The quick repetition of a single note or alternation between two or more notes, which can create a trembling effect. Example: The strings playing tremolo in the opening of Bernard Herrmann's score for 'Psycho' create an eerie sensation.

A dynamic marking indicating a gradual decrease in volume. Example: A decrescendo is skillfully employed in the closing section of Ravel's 'Bolero', gradually fading away.

The degree of loudness or softness in music. Example: The dynamics in a passage like Rossini's 'William Tell Overture' can range from very soft to very loud.

An emphasis on a particular note or chord. Example: Accents in music can be signified by the symbol '>', indicating the note should be played with more force.

A directive to repeat from the beginning of the piece. Example: 'Da Capo al Fine' indicates that the player should return to the start and continue until they reach the word 'Fine'.

A musical term that means 'more', often used to modify another directive. Example: 'Piu mosso' would mean with more motion, or a quicker tempo.

A tempo marking indicating a fast or lively pace. Example: Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 has movements marked 'allegro' for a joyful expression.

A dynamic marking indicating to play loudly. Example: In Bach's 'Toccata and Fugue in D minor', the forte sections provide a bold and striking sound.

A tempo marking indicating a lively and fast pace, faster than allegro. Example: The third movement of Vivaldi's 'Spring' from 'The Four Seasons' is marked 'vivace'.

A combination of notes that sounds unstable or tense. Example: The dissonance in Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' evokes a sense of unease.

The process of changing from one key to another within a piece. Example: The modulation in the bridge of 'Over the Rainbow' gives a sense of journey and arrival.

A combination of notes that is harmonious and stable. Example: The chords in Pachelbel's 'Canon in D Major' are consonant and pleasing.

Playing the notes of a chord consecutively, rather than simultaneously. Example: The piano intro of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' consists of rolling arpeggios.

The combination of different musical notes played or sung at the same time. Example: The chorus of 'Amazing Grace' showcases simple but powerful harmony.

A tempo marking indicating a gradual decrease in speed. Example: The ritardando at the end of a song like Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' adds a sense of closure.

A short musical pattern that is repeated throughout a piece or a section of a piece. Example: The ostinato bass line in Ravel's 'Bolero' provides a foundation over which the melody evolves.

A dynamic marking indicating a medium-loud volume level. Example: A section of a Beethoven sonata marked 'mezzo forte' should be played with moderate intensity.

The art of combining distinct melodic lines in a musical composition. Example: Bach's 'Art of Fugue' exhibits intricate counterpoint with multiple independent melodies woven together.

A dynamic marking indicating to play loudly and then immediately softly. Example: This effect is used by Beethoven in his 'Fifth Symphony' to create dramatic tension.

A sudden, strong accent on a note or chord. Example: The sforzando chords in Tchaikovsky's 'Piano Concerto No. 1' create a commanding presence.

The displacement of the usual accents in music caused by stressing beats that are normally unaccented. Example: The syncopated rhythms in ragtime give it a distinctive bouncy feel.

A musical term meaning 'very' and is used to intensify other directives. Example: 'Molto allegro' indicates a very fast tempo, often found in Mozart's faster movements.

A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes, usually a semitone or tone apart. Example: The trill is heard often in Baroque music, like the trills in Bach's 'Brandenburg Concertos'.

A style of playing that is smooth and connected. Example: Chopin's 'Nocturnes' often require a legato touch to convey the fluidity of the music.

A style of playing where notes are performed sharply and detached. Example: The staccato notes in Scott Joplin's 'The Entertainer' make it lively and spirited.

The quality or color of a musical sound that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices and musical instruments. Example: The distinct timbre of a cello separates it from a violin.

A dynamic marking indicating to play softly. Example: The opening of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' should be played 'piano' to convey the gentle mood.

A tempo marking indicating a moderately slow pace, walking speed. Example: Mozart's 'Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major' has andante passages that convey a sense of calm and balance.

A sequence of chords that concludes a musical phrase, either within a section of a piece or at the end of a piece. Example: A 'perfect cadence' from V to I gives a strong sense of resolution in classical music.

A dynamic marking indicating to play very loudly, more so than forte. Example: The fortissimo sections in Shostakovich's 'Symphony No. 5' help create its bold and powerful character.

A musical term indicating a sweet, gentle, or soft style of playing or singing. Example: The dolce melody of Schubert's 'Ave Maria' lulls the listener into a state of serenity.

A dynamic marking that signals a gradual increase in volume. Example: The crescendo in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture showcases a dramatic rise in intensity.

The distance between two pitches. Example: An 'octave' is an interval spanning eight notes on the scale.

A style of playing notes in a marked, emphatic manner. Example: The marcato passages in Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' make the melody stand out sharply against the accompaniment.

A flexible tempo that allows performers to speed up or slow down for expressive purposes. Example: Chopin's piano works are often played with rubato to enhance their emotional depth.

An honorific title for a master musician, often a conductor. Example: Arturo Toscanini was known as a maestro who led orchestras with great skill.