The abbreviations in parentheses that follow certain terms indicate

the linguistic origin of these: Al., German; Fr., French; Hin., Hindi; Ing.,
English; It., Italian; and Lat., Latin.
A CAPELLA.-(It.) With voices alone, without instrumental accompaniment.
Accelerating. Quickening the movement, faster and faster.
ACCENT.- A slight overload of the intensity of a note or a chord in
relation to others. It often has an expressive sense.
CHORD.- Simultaneous emission of three or more sounds. The chord is affected by the
laws of consonance and dissonance that govern the mechanisms of
Harmony.
AD LIBITUM .-(Lat). Freely, at will, without rigidity in tempo.
ADAGIO.- (It.) One of the oldest movement indications. Very
slow.
ADDITIONAL, LINE.- Small horizontal stroke placed above or below the
staff. It is used to write the notes that are very high or very
Graves exceed the musical score or staff.
ALEATORIC, MUSIC.-Music written with the thought that in its interpretation
let chance intervene. It is generally written with its own spelling, different from
the traditional. It is a style that has developed after the second
World War.
AT THE MARCH.-(It.) In the style of the march.
ALLEGRETTO.-(It.) Diminutive of Allegro. Moderately lively.
ALLEGRO.-(It.) Indication of movement: fast. Originally indicated
also character: cheerful, festive.
ALLEMANDE.-(Fr.) Dance of German origin in the time signature of two or four.
times. It is usually the first piece of the suite.
ALTERATION.-Modification of the height of a note. Sign that indicates the
change.
ALTO.- The highest register of the female or child voice. Generally, it
alto denomination.
ANACRUZA.- Word derived from Greek that denotes the note or notes
weak beats that precede the first accent or strong time of the melody.
ANDANTE.- (It.) Indication of movement: calm, without haste.
ANDANTINO.- (It.) Indication of movement. Diminutive of andante.
ANTIPHON.- Song in which two choirs alternate.
SUPPORT.- Melodic adornment that supports a strong part of the melody.
ARABESQUE.- A very ornate short fragment. In choreography, one of the
positions of academic dance.
ARIA.-(It.) Structured composition for a single voice (or instrument), with
instrumental accompaniment. It generally appears in the operas.
oratories.
SHARPS.- Sharps or flats placed on the staff
immediately after the key. They indicate the key in which it is written
the fragment.
HARMONY.- Science of the formation and chaining of chords that governs
a theory. In it, the sense of consonance plays a fundamental role.
(perfect chords) and that of dissonance (chords that demand a resolution and
they create a dynamism).
HARMONICS.-Set of supplementary sounds originated by the
resonance of a fundamental sound. An harmonic is also called a
particular effect achieved on string instruments.
ARPEGIO.- Successive execution of the notes of a chord, broken down into the
way of a harp.
ASSAI .-(It.) Italian term that can accompany an indication of
movement and means "very".
ATONALITY.- Suspension of tonality, absence of reference to a
fixed note (tonic). See Dodecaphonism.
INCREASE.- Expansion of the value of a fragment taken as
antecedent. It is one of the artifices of counterpoint.
RAISED, INTERVAL.-Interval one whole tone higher than the major
just, that is to say, that the type interval.
BAGATELLE.-(It). Short fragment of light music, often for piano.
LOW.- The deepest male voice and the most serious member of a family of
instruments.
UNDER CIPHER.- Abbreviated writing, through figures, of the chords to
starting from the bass. It is part of the academic teaching of Harmony and
was particularly in vogue during the 17th and 18th centuries.
BALLAD.-Composition based on a popular subject of a dramatic nature.
It can present itself as a narrative song or as a purely
instrumental.
BALLET.- Choreographic show created in the French court during the
16th century.. Subsequently, it became an eminently theatrical genre.
BAND.- Group of wind instruments (wood and metal) and of
percussion. Due to its sound intensity, it is particularly suitable for the
executions in the open air.
BARCAROLE.-Short composition, typical of Venetian gondoliers,
sentimental character and moderate movement.
BARITONE.- Medium register of the male voice, situated between the tenor and the
under.
BECUADRO.- Sign that destroys any previous alteration (sustained,
flat).
BEL CANTO.-(It.) Literally, beautiful singing. A style of singing employed over
everything in the Italian operas of the 17th and 18th centuries. Currently, it means
vocal mastery.
BEMOL.-Alteration that lowers the note it is placed before by a half step.
LULLABY.-(Fr.) Cradle song with a rocking rhythm.
BINARY, FORM.- Simple musical form in two parts.
BLANCA.- A musical note whose value is equivalent to half of a
round.
BLUES.-(Eng.) Popular music of African Americans that has developed
in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.
BOLERO.-Spanish dance. It is usually accompanied by guitar.
BOURRÉE (Fr.) An ancient French dance in two-time rhythm
animated movement.
CADENCE.-Certain combinations of chords that divide the phrases of the
music among themselves and produce the effect of punctuation in writing.
CADENZA.-(It.) Passage of brilliant solo virtuosity that is introduced
during the performance of a work, usually towards the end, to
show the technical skill of the performer.
CALDERÓN.-Small semicircle with a point in the center that is placed
above or below a note, chord, or rest, to indicate its duration
it can be extended at will.
CHAMBER, MUSIC OF: The one intended for a small concert hall,
generally composed for a small group of solo instruments.
SONG.- Poem or fragment of prose to which music has been added.
CANON.-Composition for several voices (or instruments), in which the
different voices (or instruments) interpret the same melody, but the
they start one after another, at determined intervals.
CANTABILE.-(It.) Literally, singable. Figuratively, with expression.
Indication of the melodic character of a certain fragment.
CANTATA.-(It.) Composition for one or more voices with accompaniment
instrumental. It consists of various sections (recitatives, arias, or choirs) and
it can be dramatic, religious, etc.
CANTILENA.- Vocal work of very simple structure and lyrical character.
SINGING.-Emitting musical sounds through the voice.
CANTUS FIRMUS.-(Lat.) Fixed melody, in regular values, around which
several melodic lines intertwine.
CAROL.-(Ing.) English carol for multiple voices.
CAVATINA.-Small composition in a single time that is found in operas
It served to present the character who sang it.
CHACONA.- Variations on a melodic design in the bass part that is
it repeats incessantly although each time with a different guise. It derives from a
ancient dance of moderate tempo. It is synonymous with street dance.
KEY.-Sign placed at the beginning of the musical staff that gives name and
registration situation of the notes according to the position they occupy in the lines of the
staff. There are three clefs: the G clef (high range), the C clef (range
media) and that of Fa (low range).
CLUSTER.-(Eng). Literally, bunch or branch. This term is used in
contemporary music to designate groups of notes that fill
chromatically a certain area.
CODA.-(It.) Literally, tail. An added part at the end of a composition.
to confirm your conclusion.
MEASURE.- A unit used to divide a musical work into
fragments of equal duration. In the score, each of these parts is
separate from the following with a vertical bar called a dividing line.
With force.
CONCERTANTE, SYMPHONY.- Composition for one or several instruments
soloists inspired by the concerto grosso.
CONCERTINO.-(It.) Violinist responsible for performing the solos and fragments
outstanding writings for violin in an orchestra. The concertmaster is,
In addition, the director's alter ego. See Concerto Grosso.
CONCERTO GROSSO .-(It.) Ancient concert, generally in four or
five movements, based on the opposition between the orchestra and a group
chosen from soloists referred to as concertino.
CONCERTO.-Composition in which a solo instrument is treated with
virtuosity stands in opposition to the whole of the orchestra.

CONCRETE, MUSIC.-The one built from sounds, chosen at random that,

next, they are modified and fixed with electrical devices, for
which exists only in the form of recording.
CONSONANCE.-Combination of two or more sounds emitted simultaneously
that produces a sensation of balance or rest.
CONTRALTO.-(It.) The deepest of the female voices.
COUNTERPOINT.-Technique of musical composition that consists of
superimpose melodic lines. In its origin, it was vocal and, therefore, intimately
linked to the nature of the voice.
COUNTERSUBJECT.-Counterargument, supporting line of the theme or subject of a
escape.
CORAL.- As an adjective, related to the choir. In a historical sense, hymn.
Protestant created by Luther to be sung by the people. Transcription.
for the organ of this hymn.
EIGHTH NOTE.- A musical note whose duration is equivalent to an eighth of a whole note.

CHOIR.- Group of singers. Composition intended for that group.

COURANTE. (Fr.) Aristocratic dance in three-time measure. It was one of
the main pieces of the suite.
CRESCENDO.- (It) Gradually increasing the intensity of the sound
CHROMATIC, SCALE. - Scale in which, among the seven degrees of the scale
Diatonic, the five semitones obtained using alterations are interspersed.
accidentals. These semitones are called chromatic.
QUARTET.- Group formed by four voices or instruments. Composition
writing for those groups.
QUARTER TONE.- Interval resulting from half of a semitone. It is only
possible in instruments with free tuning, such as the violin or the voice. It is used
rare in Western music and very characteristic of Eastern music.
CZARDA.- Popular Hungarian dance. It consists of a slow part and a fast part.
DA CAPO.- (It) Expression that indicates that a certain fragment must be
start over from the beginning.
DESCRIPTIVE, MUSIC.- The one that tries to imitate the sounds of nature with
strictly musical means.
TUNER.- Device used to tune instruments and the
intonation of the voice. Emits a sound whose frequency is accepted
internationally it is 440 vibrations per second.
DIATONIC, SCALE.- The one formed by seven notes (the eighth is considered
it is the same as the first). See LARGER SCALE; SMALLER SCALE
DIATONIC.- A tonal system that uses only the seven notes of
the scale. Scale system composed of two tetrachords.
TYPING.- Use of the fingers when playing an instrument. Indication
placed above a note to specify which finger to use to play it.
DECREASING.- Gradually reducing the intensity of a sound.
DYNAMICS.- Gradations of sound intensity. It is of great importance.
as an element of nuance in the character of a musical phrase.
DECREASE.- Reduction of the value of a fragment taken as
antecedent. It is a contrapuntal procedure.
Dissonance - Combination of simultaneous sounds that are not consonant, that is,
that its resonance does not satisfy the ear.
DIVERTIMENTO.- (It). Light and easy character instrumental composition,
similar to the suite. In the figure, it is synonymous with deepisodio.

DOUBLE FLAT.- A sign that indicates the descent of two semitones in the note.
that precedes.
DOUBLE SHARP.- A sign that indicates the increase of two semitones in the note.
to which it precedes.
DODECAPHONICISM.- A composition system based on the division of the scale
of twelve equal semitones. Regarding melody, harmony and
counterpoint rejects the foundations accepted by the traditional tonal system and the
replace with new conventions.
DOMINANT.- Fifth degree of the diatonic scale. It is the most important note.
after the tonic.
LYRIC DRAMA.- Large-scale opera in which the voice merges with the
orchestral mass.
DUO.-Set of two voices or two instruments. Composition written for
this set.
ECO.- Reflection of sound by a solid body. It is also known by this name
the musical fragment in which the effects of echo are imitated.
ELECTRONIC, MUSICAL.-The one made up of sounds produced and treated
through electroacoustic procedures, unlike concrete music which,
In theory, it consists of the treatment and recording of existing sounds.
ENHARMONY.- Relationship between two notes separated by an interval of,
approximately one ninth of a tone and that; in an instrument of
tempered keyboard, they get confused. For example, in the piano, the same key
emit the sustained C (raised middle tone) and D flat (lowered D)
half tone), enharmonic to each other.
TUNE.- To produce a specific musical sound, to sing in tune.
EPISODE.- Secondary theme that links two musical ideas and serves as
conducting. Sometimes, as in the sonata form, it is known as a bridge.
It is also called divertimento, especially in fuga.
SCALE.- Sequence of sounds of a mode or a tonality. See, MAJOR
SCALE
ESCOCESA.-Dance of Scottish origin of which there are traces in France.
during the 18th century.
CHORUS.- A small phrase that is regularly repeated in certain works.
popular.
STUDY.-Composition intended to develop or showcase the technique of a
instrument.
EXPOSITION.- In the sonata form, the part of a movement during which it is
The main topics were presented. In the presentation of the subject by
all the voices, successively.
FALSETTO.- Voice formed from the larynx when singing outside the register.
normal. It is also called head voice to distinguish it from chest voice.
chest or normal. It is sharper than the chest voice.
FANDANGO.- Spanish dance and song, with cheerful movements and character, written
in triple meter.
FANFARE.- Orchestra formed by brass instruments. Fragment
performed by this type of orchestra.
FLAMENCO.-Type of Spanish song and dance. The expression refers to
also the accompaniment music with the guitar.
FORM.-Conception or plan of a musical fragment.
MUSICAL PHRASE.- Complete cycle of a melodic idea, consisting of ideas
partials that give rise to the formation of sections and subsections.
FROTTOLA.-(It). Italian polyphonic song from the 15th and 16th centuries, preceding the
madrigal.
FUGUE.- Contrapuntal composition, based on the principle of imitation, in
where the themes seem to flee or, more precisely, to pursue each other. Its structure
The basic idea is the following: successive exposition or entry of the various parts;
development, based on the interpretation of the theme and the counter-subject,
element that accompanies him in each of his appearances (the development is
lightened by episodes built from elements of the theme), and,
finally narrow conclusion in which the main ones reappear
elements of the exhibition.
FUSA.- Equivalent figure to a half sixteenth note or 1/32 of a whole note. It is a
of the shortest value figures.
Gallarda - An ancient French dance with a ternary rhythm and lively movement.
Gavota.- French dance of moderate movement in a two-time measure.
Gebrauchsmusik. - (Al.) Literally, music to be used. Music
written by certain composers of the early 20th century, based on the
popular language, so that it could be understood by the maximum
of people.
Giga.- English dance of lively movement and popular character. It is one of the
main pieces of the classical suite.
Playful, cheerful.
Glissando.-(It.) Literally, sliding. In string instruments, it is the
resulting effect of sliding the finger over the string. In keyboards or in
the harp, from lightly touching the keys or strings.
Grave.-Low register. Slow and solemn movement.
Gracious.-(It.) Literally with grace.
Gregorian, Chant.- A form of liturgical chant specific to the Catholic Church
Romana, whose monodic melodies were collected and arranged by the pope
Gregory I in the 6th century.
Habanera.- Song and dance with a binary rhythm typical of the island of Cuba.
Hexachord.- Ascending or descending series of six notes in which it
It was based on the musical system used until the 17th century.
Hymn - Song, ode, or invocation poem sung in the church. Song
patriotic.
Homophone.- Adjective that designates music played in unison or to the
eighth, in contrast to polyphonic music. It is also applied to music in
the one that dominates the melody.

Hornpipe - (Eng.) A popular English dance.

Imitation.- A polyphonic device in which one voice reproduces a phrase or
reason previously stated by another.
Impromptu.-From Latin Impromptu: suddenly, without preparation. Small piece
with a certain element of improvisation.
In Nomine.-(Lat.) Literally, in the name of. Counterpoint composition
English of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Instrumentation.-Study of the technique and expressive properties of the
instruments, preliminary to the orchestration.
Intermezzo. - From Italian, intermezzo. Small instrumental piece, of a cut
free, intended to fill the time between two acts of a play.
Interval.-Distance between two sounds based on their pitch.
Introduction.- Short musical fragment and, in general, slow intended to
to situate or introduce a first movement of a sonata, quartet or symphony.
Invention.-Name given during the 17th and 18th centuries to small pieces
contrapuntal compositions for two and three voices whose interest was to develop a
initial cell cut distinctly characterized by its rhythm and melodic contour.
Jazz.-Type of Afro-American music that originated in the southern United States
United in the early 20th century from black spirituals.
Jota - A typical Spanish song and dance from Aragón and Navarra. It is written in a specific rhythm.
of three times.
Juggler.- Traveling musician of the Middle Ages.
Kapellmeister.-(Al.) Literally, chapel master. In Austria and Germany,
musician in the service of the church or of a prince's chapel.
Koechel, Numbering of,.-Numbering of the works of Mozart carried out in
the 19th century by Ludwing von Koechel. These works are designated with the letter K
followed by a number and, in German, with the letters KV followed by the same one
number. KV stands for Koechel Verzeichnis (Koechel Catalog).
Laendler.-(Al.) Ancient popular dance from southern Germany. Of rhythm
ternary is considered a precursor of the Waltz.
Larghetto.-(It.) Diminutive of largo. A time less slow than this.
Largo.-(It.) Literally, wide. Indication of very slow movement and
paused.
Legato - (It.) Literally, tied. Term that indicates the union of the
sounds. Opposite of staccato, highlighted.
Leitmotif.-(Al.) Literally, leading motif. Melodic formula or
harmonica intended to characterize a character or a situation.
Lento.-(It.) Indication of movement that is situated between largo and adagio.
Very slowly.
Libretto.- Text of an opera. The literary part to which music is set.
composer
Song. This term is associated with the song.
nineteenth-century German.
Tie - Curved line that connects two or more notes indicating that they should be played
executed as a single continuous note.
Madrigal.-Polyphonic composition (from two to six voices) with accompaniment
or without it. It has a severe and majestic character. It was cultivated in Europe since the
14th to 17th century.
Maestoso.-(It.) Indication of time and character majestic.
March.-Military music intended to regulate the pace. Any other music of
this style. Marches in general are in four time and have a rhythm
very marked.
Masquerade.- Dramatic entertainment, typical of the 16th and 17th centuries, that
it had sung parts with instrumental accompaniment.
Mask.-In England, masked ball.
Matiz.-Everything related to the expression of music. It employs many
more expressive means than oral language. The main ones are: ellegatoo
expression ligature, the simple staccato highlighted (very articulated) and the
sforzato sudden accent.
Mayor, Scale.- Model given by the succession of the notes do, re, mi, fa, sol,
the. yes, do (these notes match the white keys of the piano). From
this model and maintaining the same distances -with the corresponding
alterations - can be reproduced from any note.
Mazurka - Polish dance in triple time and moderate movement.
Mediant - Third degree of the diatonic scale.
Meistersinger.-(Al.) Master singers. German artisans and traders.
who, between the 13th and 16th centuries, were dedicated to poetic and musical composition
founding societies in which very strict rules were established.
Melisma.- Meeting of several notes sung on a single syllable, in opposition to the
syllabic chant or note per syllable, like recitative.
Melody.-Emission of successive sounds that form motifs, periods, and phrases.
It is also called melody the song produced by a single voice (monody).
Minor, scale. - Model given by the succession of the notes do, re, mi flat.
F, G, A flat, B flat, C.
Metronome.-An apparatus equipped with a pendulum and a graduated scale that serves
to measure the speed of the tempo.
Mezzo Forte.-(It.). Indication of intensity: medium strong.
Mezzo Soprano - (It.) Intermediate female voice, situated between soprano
and contralto.
Micro-Interval.-Interval smaller than the semitone.
Minnesinger.-(Al.) Singers of the German aristocracy who, gathered in
societies enjoyed great popularity in the 12th and 13th centuries. They are the
precursors of the Meistersingers.
Minuet.- A dance of French origin written in a triple time signature.
long evolution being part of the suite, passed to the sonata and to the symphony,
where it occupied the place that would later correspond to the scherzo.
Mass.- Musical composition about the unchanging part of the mass, called
Ordinary of the Mass: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus with Benedictus and Agnus
Of God. It can be purely vocal, usually of polyphonic style, or vocal.
with accompaniment of organ, harmonium, or orchestra.
Moderate.-(It.) A relaxed tempo but without exaggeration. Similar to andante.
Mode.-Way of arranging the sounds inside a scale. See Major
scale; Minor scale. During the Middle Ages, eight modes were used, which
In the sixteenth century they reached twelve. Subsequently, they were limited to the major modes.
and minor of the diatonic scale.
Modulation.- Change of tone throughout a fragment.
Monody.-Song of a single voice. By extension, a composition formed by a
main part and others that serve as accompaniment.
Monothematic, composition.- Work in which a single theme is developed.
Mordent.- Melodic ornament consisting of two, three, or four rapid notes.
that revolve around one that is the main one.
Dying. - (It.) Losing oneself, extinguishing, declining the sound.
Gradual decrease of hue and movement.
Motet.- Religious composition, usually of short duration, with text
Latin from the Psalms.
Motive.-The smallest analyzable element of a phrase or theme. Generally
It consists of three or more notes.

Movement.-Degree of speed that is applied in the execution of a

work. It is indicated with words like adagio, lento, allegro, etc. This term
also designates each of the complete parts of a sonata, symphony,
concert, etc.
Natural, note the tone. - No sharp or flat.
Quarter note - A note symbol whose value is equivalent to a quarter of a whole note.
Neuma.- Notation sign used in the early Middle Ages. It indicated
approximately, the upward or downward movement, an ornament
or a particularity of the execution.
Nocturne - Romantic piece, of a dreamy character, in a single movement.
Not too much.
Nonet.- Set of nine voices or instruments. Work written for this.
set.
Note.-Representative figure of the pitch of the sound that is written inside or
out of pattern.
Notation.- Writing of the different graphic signs of music. Throughout
Throughout History, there have been different notation systems: notation
medieval Gregorian, notation on a five-line staff and, currently,
notation with different spellings that respond to the use of new
instruments (concrete and electronic music).
Overture - A piece that serves as an introduction to an opera or another type of
musical composition.
Eighth.- Interval formed by two notes, the higher of which has
double the frequency of the lowest one.
Octet - An instrumental or vocal ensemble made up of eight performers. Work
written for this set.
Op. Abbreviation of the Latin word opus (work) with which it is designated,
accompanied by a number of order, the work of a composer. An opus
it may consist of several works, in which case each of them receives a
second number. Example: Op. 1 No. 1.
Opera.-(It.) Literally, work. This designation has been adopted
universally to designate, in a general way, all stage works
completely musical, in which singing with words intervenes. There are
different categories of opera: grand opera, comic opera, buffa opera, drama
lyrical, etc.
Operetta - Light opera, with spoken passages.
Oratorio.- Religious musical composition based on some biblical text. In the
The Middle Ages were staged (Mystery), but were later suppressed.
the theatrical part and was reduced to the narration of the sung text with
instrumental accompaniment. It is of a severe nature and large dimensions.
Orpheon.- Society of singers in a choir, without accompanying instruments.
Organum.-(Lat.) First form of polyphony in which the different parts
they evolve in parallel intervals of octaves, fifths, and fourths.
Ornamentation.- Melodic florilegium or notes of adornment. They beautify the
melody and constitute its very essence.
Chamber Orchestra.- Orchestra of reduced dimensions, generally
made up of string instruments.
Symphony or Philharmonic Orchestra.- Instrumental formation of about one hundred
musicians that bring together all families of instruments grouped in such a way
that create a sound balance.
Orchestration.- Art of writing for orchestra with knowledge of all the
resources offered by the different instruments.
Ostinato.-(It.) Literally, obstinate. Repeated melodic formula.
persistently.
Panchromaticism - Systematic use of all twelve tones of the scale
chromatic.
Partita.-(It.) Term that in the 18th century meant instrumental suite.
Score.- Sheet or set of sheets where music is written. All the
parts of the composition are represented in overlapping patterns, whose
content must sound simultaneously.
Parade.-Variations on ostinato.See Chacona.
Pasapié.-Ancient Breton dance that became a sort of minuet.
Passion.- A musical drama based on the story of the death of Christ that is
sings in the churches during Holy Week.
Pastoral.-Instrumental work inspired by the countryside.
Pause.-Silence. A sign indicating the value of silence, which is
corresponds with that of the sound figures.
Staff.- Lines and spaces on which music is written.
Pavana.- Slow dance, of ancient origin, which used to serve as an introduction to
another quick one.

Pedal. - A fixed note, sustained for a long sequence of chords or

musical fragment.
Pentaphony.-A musical system that only uses five sounds of the scale.
Staff.- Musical staff where notes are written to indicate their
Height. It consists of five horizontal lines.
Period.-An important part of a musical phrase that fulfills a function
similar to that of the grammatical syntax sentence.
Very softly.
Soft.
Pizzicato.-(It.) A technical indication that signals that on a bow instrument,
the strings must be plucked with the fingers, that is, without a bow.
Symphonic poem.- Composition in which it develops musically and without
help of the word an argument. It is characteristic of Romanticism.
Polka.- Dance of Bohemian origin in binary rhythm.
Polymorphism.- Counterpoint of chords considered in their vertical resultant.
Polyphony.- Plurality of voices. Name given to music
counterpoint in general, in which several elements are mixed at the same time
melodies.
Polyrhythm.- Simultaneous use of several different rhythms.
Polytonality - Simultaneous use of two or more tonalities.
Polonaise.-National Polish dance probably of aristocratic origin and
shiny and flashy style.
Portamento.-(It.) Gradual transition from one note to another.

Postlude.-Final fragment. Opposite prelude.

Prelude - Introductory composition to a more important one.
Very fast.
Quick.
Dot - In musical notation: placed above a note indicates that it should be
be separated; placed behind, which increases half of its duration.
Quartet. Group of four performers.
Fifth - Interval formed by the extreme notes of five notes
consecutive. Example: do - Sol (do, re, mi, fa, sol.).
Quintet.- Group of five performers. Composition written for this group.
Quodlibet.-(Lat.) Literally, whatever you want. Composition of character
humorous that incorporated popular songs.
Raga.-(Hin.) One of the numerous selections of notes on which it is based
Indian music.
Slowing down. Gradually decreasing the movement, more and more.
slowly.
Rhapsody.- A musical piece of free form composed with fragments of
popular melodies, dances, songs, etc.
Recitative.- In opera, a declamation that is situated between spoken voice and the
song.
Round.- A musical note that represents the unit of time in the
Traditional notation. It is equivalent to two whole notes, four quarter notes, or eight eighth notes.
Its duration is equal to a measure of four beats.
Record.- Portion in which the sound extension is theoretically divided.
instruments or the human voice. Normally, its division is made engrave,
medium and sharp.
Repentization.-First instrumental reading.
Requiem.-(Lat.) Musical composition sung with the text of the mass.
deceased or part of him.
Delay.- Strange note to the constitution of a chord that comes from a
previous chord.
Ricercare.-(It.) Literally, to search. An ancient contrapuntal composition.
predecessor of the escape.
Ritardando.-(It.) Slower and slower. Synonym of rallentando.
Rhythm.- Principle of order and symmetry in which the succession of
loud and soft sounds. In a broad sense, it is the result of the division
symmetric of a whole in several parts.
Romance.- Small musical poem on a free subject, for one voice with
accompaniment.
Rondo. - Musical form based on the repetition of a main theme or
chorus that alternates with other secondary ones. It is usually instrumental, of style
free and living movement.
Rubato.-(It.) Literally stolen. A particular way of interpretation that
it consists of slightly modifying the value of the grades.
Noise.- Non-musical sound that is physically characterized by a non-vibration.
periodic. In the 20th century, it has started to be used in a certain type of
musical compositions.
Saeta.- A song sung in Andalusia during the passage of Holy Week processions.
Santa.
Sardana.- Popular Catalan dance that is performed in a circle.
Scherzo.-(It.) Literally, joke or game. Composition with lively movement.
and a rhythm divided into three times. It derives from the ancient minibass and is of
cheerful and funny character.
Second.- Interval formed by two consecutive notes.
Sixteenth note - Figure equivalent to half of an eighth note or 1/16 of a whole.
round.
Semifusa.- Figure equivalent to half of a fusa or to 1/64 of a
round. It is practically the shortest value figure that exists.
Semitone.-Interval that is equivalent to the twelfth part of the octave.
Sensible.- Seventh degree of the diatonic scale.
Septet or Septimino.- A group of seven voices or instruments. Composition
writing for this set.
Seventh - Interval formed by the extreme notes of seven notes
consecutive. Example: re - do. (re, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do).
Serenade.- A vocal or instrumental composition, or of both elements at the same time,
dedicated to gifting to someone.
Serial, Music.- A composition method that consists of establishing a plan or
series that governs all aspects of music. (tone, rhythm, etc.).
Sixth.- Interval formed by the extreme notes of six consecutive notes.
Example: my - do (my, fa, sol, la, si, do).
Sextet.- Instrumental or vocal ensemble made up of six performers.
written for this set.
Sforzato.-(It.) Sudden and intense accent on a note or chord.
Silence.- A symbol that indicates a pause.
Syncope.-Shift of emphasis to a time or note that does not
It is usually accented.
Symphony.-Adaptation of the sonata for the orchestra reproducing its same
schema and number of movements.
Singspiel.-(Al.) Literally, sung piece. German comic opera that
contains spoken parts.
Solo.-(It.) It is called that, in contrast to tutti, to a composition.
concerto in which the solo instrument - generally the violin - is
stands out from the body of string instruments.
Sonata.-Composition for one or two instruments. It is also called sonata to
one of the most important compositions of chamber music that
generally contains four movements: allegro, adagio, minuet or
scherzo and allegro (often in rondo form).
Sonata, Form.-Expression that designates the first movement of a sonata
a symphony (initial allegro). It consists of an exposition of the first theme in the
main theme and the second theme in another key, of a development of
both themes, and their reexposition in the initial tonality. A coda of some
importance concludes the movement.
Soprano.-(It.) High voice of a woman or child.
Sustained.- A modification that raises the note in question by a half tone.
find.
Sotto Voce.-(It.) In a low voice, holding back the voice.
Staccato - (It.) Literally, highlighted. Term of expression and nuance. It
indicates with a dot above the note and means that it should be executed from
separately.
Subdominant - Fourth degree of the diatonic scale.
Suite.-(Fr.) Meeting of various independent pieces among themselves. It was one of
the main musical forms of the 17th and 18th centuries, to which the
harpsichordists paid particular attention. The basic pieces on which
is built, and that in a way foreshadow the four movements of the
sonata, are the forms of dance called allemande, courante, zarabanda and
giga.
Superdominant - Sixth degree of the diatonic scale.
Supertonic - Second degree of the diatonic scale.
Tablature.- A notation system that indicates the correct placement of the
fingers on the instrument.
Tala.-(Hin.) Rhythmic cycle of Indian music.
Tarantella.-(It.) Italian dance. Instrumental fragment inspired by it.
Theme - Basic element of a composition or part of it, with meaning
complete and relevant personality. Leading reason in certain
genres of composition.
Temperament, System.-System that divides the octave into twelve parts
absolutely the same, just as it occurs on the piano keyboard. This
equivalence allows for the transposition of any scheme to any distance and
to reproduce a melody from any note, something that does not happen with others
tuning systems.
Tempo.- (It.) Motion or speed at which a work is performed.
Tenor - High male voice.
Third.- Interval that encompasses three consecutive notes. Example: do - mi (do,
re, mi).
Ternary, Form.- Musical form in three parts, the last of which is the
repetition of the first.
Tessitura - The range or scope of a voice or instrument.
Tetrachord.- Succession of four consecutive notes. Example: C - D - E -
fa.
Timbre.-Characteristic sound of each musical instrument.
Toccata.-(It.) Free instrumental piece, generally for a solo performer
the keyboard instrument. It contains passages of great virtuosity.
Tonic.- The most important note of a key, which acts as a perpetual.
reference point within it. The first note of the scale, which is
the one that names the tonality.
Tone.-Unit of division of the diatonic scale. It is equivalent to a second.
mayor.
Tremolo.- Very rapid repetition of the same note that achieves an effect
similar to that of the vibration.
Tresillo.- Group of three notes of the same value that must be played in the
same time as two notes of the same figure.
Trill.- A decoration consisting of the rapid alternation of two consecutive notes.
Widely used in harpsichord writing in the 18th century.
Trio.- A group formed by three voices or three instruments. Composition for
this set.
Tritone.- Interval of three tones. It is equivalent to a half octave.
Troubadour - Medieval poet and musician.
Tutti.- Term used in the ancient concert indicating the entry of all.
the instruments after the concertante solo. Simultaneous execution of all
the instruments of the orchestra.
Unison - The occurrence of two or more voices or instruments on the same note.
Vals.-German dance of fairly lively movement written in triple meter
times.
Variation.- Composition formed by an indeterminate number of pieces
briefs built on the same topic that undergo modifications.
Vibration.- Regular and isochronous pendulum, more or less fast, that a body
Sound is printed in the air when it produces sound.
Zarabanda.- Dance of Spanish origin in a three-time rhythm with
slow and noble movement. It is one of the essential parts of the suite.
Zarzuela.-Name given in Spain to the stage performance in the
that alternates declamation with singing.