Plain Music Theory

Music terms

196 words you meet in printed music and music lessons, from a cappella to vivo. Most score markings are Italian; the literal meaning is given where it helps you remember.

Terms explained in full

Looking for a sign rather than a word? See music symbols.

Glossary A to Z

A cappellaItalian, texture
Singing with no instrument playing along. Choirs and vocal groups perform this way. Literally "in the chapel style".
A tempoItalian, tempo
Go back to the original speed, usually after a slowing down or speeding up such as a ritardando. Literally "in time".
Accelerandoaccel.Italian, tempo
Gradually get faster. The speed keeps rising until the music says to stop, often with a new tempo marking or a return to a tempo. Literally "speeding up".
AccentEnglish, articulation
Play one note with extra emphasis, louder or sharper than the notes around it. It is written as a small sideways wedge (>) over or under the notehead.
AccidentalEnglish, notation
A sharp, flat, natural, double sharp or double flat written before a note. It changes that note's pitch for the rest of the measure, unless a new sign cancels it.
Ad libitumad lib.Latin, expression
Play with freedom. The performer may change the tempo, leave out a part or improvise, as the music allows. Literally "at one's pleasure".
AdagioItalian, tempo
Slow and calm, a little faster than largo. Usually about 66 to 76 beats per minute. Literally "at ease".
AgitatoItalian, expression
Play in a restless, excited way, usually with a driving pulse and sharp contrasts. Literally "agitated".
Alla breveItalian, rhythm
Another name for cut time (2/2). There are two half-note beats in each measure, so the music feels twice as fast as it looks. Literally "in the short style".
Allargandoallarg.Italian, tempo
Slow down and grow broader, usually getting louder too. It is common near the end of a phrase or piece. Literally "broadening".
AllegrettoItalian, tempo
Moderately fast, a little slower than allegro. Usually about 98 to 109 beats per minute. Literally "a little cheerful".
AllegroItalian, tempo
Fast and bright. Usually about 120 to 156 beats per minute. Literally "cheerful".
AltoItalian
The lower of the two women's voice parts in a choir, below soprano. It is also the name of the clef that puts middle C on the middle line. Literally "high".
Anacrusisrhythm
One or more notes that come before the first full measure, also called a pickup. The first measure is then shorter, and the last measure often makes up the missing beats.
AndanteItalian, tempo
At an easy walking pace. Usually about 76 to 108 beats per minute. Literally "walking".
AndantinoItalian, tempo
Close to andante. Some musicians play it a little faster and others a little slower, so follow the style of the piece. Literally "a little andante".
AnimatoItalian, expression
Play with life and energy, often with a slightly quicker pulse. Literally "animated".
ArcoItalian, technique
Play a string instrument with the bow. It is used to cancel a pizzicato passage. Literally "bow".
ArpeggioItalian, harmony
The notes of a chord played one after another instead of together. They are usually played from low to high or from high to low. Literally "harp-like".
ArticulationEnglish, articulation
How a note is started, shaped and ended, such as short, smooth, accented or held. Staccato, legato, tenuto and accent marks are articulation.
AttaccaItalian, form
Go straight on to the next movement or section without a pause. Literally "attack".
AugmentedEnglish, harmony
A quality for an interval or chord that is a half step larger than its perfect or major form. An augmented triad has two major thirds stacked.
BarEnglish, notation
The British word for measure. In American English, a bar usually means the bar line that separates measures.
Bar lineEnglish, notation
A vertical line across the staff that divides the music into measures. A double bar line marks a new section, and a thick final bar line ends the piece.
BassEnglish
The lowest voice part or the lowest instrument range. In a chord, the bass is the lowest note, which gives the harmony its foundation.
BeamEnglish, notation
The thick line that joins the stems of eighth notes and shorter notes into groups. Beams make the beats easier to see.
BeatEnglish, rhythm
The steady pulse you tap your foot to. Note values are counted in beats, and the time signature says which note gets one beat.
CadenceEnglish, harmony
Two or more chords that end a phrase and give it a feeling of rest or pause. The authentic cadence (V to I) sounds the most final.
CadenzaItalian, form
A showy passage for a soloist, usually played freely and without the accompaniment. Many concertos have one near the end of a movement. Literally "cadence".
CanonEnglish, texture
A melody that one voice starts and others copy a bit later, at the same or a different pitch. Rounds such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" are canons.
CantabileItalian, expression
Play in a singing style, with a smooth, flowing and expressive tone. Literally "singable".
ChordEnglish, harmony
Three or more different notes sounding together. The most common chord is the triad, built from a root, a third and a fifth.
ChromaticEnglish, harmony
Using notes outside the key, or moving by half steps. A chromatic scale climbs through all 12 notes in an octave.
ClefFrench, notation
A sign at the start of the staff that tells you which note each line and space stands for. The treble, bass and C clefs are the common ones. Literally "key".
CodaItalian, form
A closing section added to the end of a piece. The coda sign (a circle with a cross) tells you where to jump when the music says "to coda." Literally "tail".
Col legnoItalian, technique
String players tap or strike the strings with the wood of the bow instead of the hair. The sound is dry and rattling. Literally "with the wood".
Common timeEnglish, rhythm
Another name for 4/4, shown by a letter C in place of the numbers. There are four quarter-note beats in each measure.
Con brioItalian, expression
Play with spirit, energy and sparkle, in a bold and lively way. It often goes with fast, bright music. Literally "with vigor".
Con motoItalian, tempo
Play with a flowing movement, a little more forward than the basic tempo. Literally "with motion".
Con sordinocon sord.Italian, technique
Play with a mute on the instrument to give a softer, veiled tone. It is canceled by senza sordino. Literally "with the mute".
ConcertoItalian, form
A piece for a solo instrument with orchestra, usually in three movements. The soloist and the orchestra take turns and play together.
CounterpointEnglish, texture
Two or more independent melodies played together so that they fit and sound good as harmony. Bach's fugues are famous examples.
Crescendocresc.Italian, dynamics
Gradually get louder. It is written as the word or as a hairpin that opens to the right. Literally "growing".
Cut timeEnglish, rhythm
A time signature of 2/2, shown as a C with a vertical line through it. Each measure has two half-note beats.
Da capoD.C.Italian, form
Go back to the very beginning and play again. It usually goes with "al fine" (to the end) or "al coda." Literally "from the head".
Dal segnoD.S.Italian, form
Go back to the segno sign and play again from there. It usually goes with "al fine" or "al coda." Literally "from the sign".
Decrescendodecresc.Italian, dynamics
Gradually get softer. Written as the word or as a hairpin that closes to the right. Most musicians treat it as the same as diminuendo. Literally "decreasing".
DiatonicEnglish, harmony
Using only the notes of one major or minor scale, with no sharps or flats beyond the key signature.
DiminishedEnglish, harmony
A quality for an interval or chord that is a half step smaller than its perfect or minor form. A diminished triad has two minor thirds stacked.
Diminuendodim.Italian, dynamics
Gradually get softer. It means the same as decrescendo to most musicians, though some use it for a more lasting fade. Literally "dwindling".
Divisidiv.Italian, technique
The players in one section split to play different notes of a chord, instead of all playing the same note. Literally "divided".
DolceItalian, expression
Play softly and sweetly, with a gentle tone. Literally "sweet".
DominantEnglish, harmony
The fifth note of a scale, and the chord built on it. The dominant chord (V) pulls strongly toward the tonic chord (I).
DotEnglish, notation
A dot after a note makes it half as long again. A dotted half note lasts three beats, and a dotted quarter note lasts one and a half.
Double bar lineEnglish, notation
Two thin vertical lines that mark the end of a section or a change of key or time signature.
DownbeatEnglish, rhythm
The first beat of the measure, which usually feels strongest. Conductors show it with the downward motion of the baton.
DuetEnglish, texture
A piece for two performers, or the two performers themselves.
Duple meterEnglish, rhythm
A beat pattern grouped in twos, such as 2/4, with a strong beat followed by a weak beat. A time signature like 6/8 is compound duple.
DynamicsEnglish, dynamics
The loudness and softness of the music, and the signs that show it, from ppp (very, very soft) to fff (very, very loud).
EnharmonicEnglish, notation
Two notes that sound the same but are written with different names, such as C♯ and D♭.
EnsembleFrench, texture
A group of performers, or a piece for a group. It also means how well they play together. Literally "together".
Espressivoespr.Italian, expression
Play with feeling, shaping the phrase and shading the tone. Literally "expressive".
EtudeFrench, form
A piece written to practice one technical skill, such as fast scales or hand crossings. Chopin and Czerny wrote well-known ones. Literally "study".
FermataItalian, articulation
A curved sign with a dot, placed over a note or rest. Hold it longer than its written length, often about twice as long. Literally "stopped".
FineItalian, form
The end. It marks where to stop after a da capo or dal segno repeat. Literally "end".
FlatEnglish, notation
A sign (♭) that lowers a note by a half step. On a keyboard, move to the next key to the left.
FortefItalian, dynamics
Loud. It is written with an f, and is louder than mezzo forte. Literally "strong".
FortepianofpItalian, dynamics
Play loudly at first, then drop to soft right away. It is also the name of the early piano that Mozart played. Literally "loud then soft".
FortissimoffItalian, dynamics
Very loud. It is written ff and is louder than forte. Literally "very strong".
FugueEnglish, form
A piece in which several voices enter one after another with the same short melody, called the subject, then weave together in counterpoint.
GiocosoItalian, expression
Play in a joking, playful and lively mood. Literally "playful".
Glissandogliss.Italian, technique
A slide from one note to another, hitting every pitch on the way. On piano, drag a finger across the keys. On a trombone or violin, the slide is smooth. Literally "sliding".
Grace noteEnglish, notation
A small note printed before a main note that takes very little time. It is played quickly and decorates the main note.
Grand staffEnglish, notation
A treble staff and a bass staff joined by a brace. Piano music uses it, with the right hand usually on the top staff.
GraveFrench, tempo
Very slow and solemn. It is among the slowest tempo markings, at about 40 beats per minute or below. Literally "serious".
GraziosoItalian, expression
Play in a graceful, elegant and light way, with smooth and tasteful shaping of the phrases. Literally "graceful".
Half stepEnglish, rhythm
The smallest distance between two notes in Western music, such as E to F. On a keyboard, it is one key to the next, black or white. Also called a semitone.
HarmonicEnglish, harmony
To do with harmony, meaning notes sounding together. A harmonic interval has two notes played at the same time, and a melodic one has them played one after the other.
HarmonyEnglish, harmony
Notes sounding together, and how chords follow one another. Harmony supports a melody and gives the music color.
HomophonyEnglish, texture
A texture with one main melody and chords that support it, all moving together in the same rhythm. Most hymns and pop songs are homophonic.
IntervalEnglish, harmony
The distance between two notes, named with a number and a quality, such as a major third or a perfect fifth.
IntroductionEnglish, form
The opening section of a piece, before the main music begins. In a song it is often a few measures played by the band.
KeyEnglish, harmony
The home note and scale that a piece is based on. A piece in C major uses the notes of the C major scale and feels settled on C.
Key signatureEnglish, notation
The sharps or flats at the start of each staff that tell you the key. They apply to every note with that name in the piece, unless an accidental changes one.
LarghettoItalian, tempo
Slow, but a little faster than largo. Usually about 60 to 66 beats per minute. Literally "a little largo".
LargoItalian, tempo
Very slow and broad. Usually about 40 to 60 beats per minute. Literally "broad".
Leading toneEnglish, harmony
The seventh note of the major scale, a half step below the tonic. It sounds unfinished and pulls up to the tonic.
Ledger lineEnglish, notation
A short extra line drawn above or below the staff so that higher or lower notes can be written.
LegatoItalian, articulation
Play the notes smoothly, connected, with no gaps between them. A slur over the notes often shows it. Literally "bound together".
LeggieroItalian, expression
Play lightly and delicately, with a quick, gentle touch. Literally "light".
LentoItalian, tempo
Slow. Usually about 45 to 60 beats per minute. Literally "slow".
LibrettoItalian
The text of an opera or other long vocal work. The composer sets the words to music. Literally "little book".
MaestosoItalian, expression
Play in a grand, stately and dignified way, usually at a slower pace. Literally "majestic".
MajorEnglish, harmony
A scale, key or chord with a bright, happy sound. A major scale has the step pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
MarcatoItalian, articulation
Play with a strong, clear attack, with each note stressed. It is written as a small upward pointing wedge (^). Literally "marked".
MeasureEnglish, notation
One section of music between two bar lines. Each measure holds the number of beats set by the time signature.
MelodyEnglish, harmony
A line of notes, one after another, that make up the tune of a piece. It is the part you would sing or hum.
Meno mossoItalian, tempo
Play slower than before. Mosso means "moved," so meno mosso is "less movement." Literally "less moved".
MeterEnglish, rhythm
The pattern of strong and weak beats in a piece, as shown by the time signature. For example, 3/4 is a pattern of three beats.
Mezzo fortemfItalian, dynamics
Medium loud. It is written mf, a little softer than forte and louder than mezzo piano. Literally "half loud".
Mezzo pianompItalian, dynamics
Medium soft. It is written mp, a little louder than piano and softer than mezzo forte. Literally "half soft".
Mezzo voceItalian, expression
Sing or play at about half of your full volume, in a subdued tone. Literally "half voice".
MinorEnglish, harmony
A scale, key or chord with a darker, sadder sound. A natural minor scale has the pattern whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole.
ModeratoItalian, tempo
At a moderate speed. Usually about 108 to 120 beats per minute. Literally "moderate".
ModulationEnglish, harmony
A change from one key to another within a piece. It is usually prepared by chords that both keys share.
MoltoItalian, expression
A word added to other markings to strengthen them, such as molto allegro (very fast) or molto crescendo (a big increase in volume). Literally "very, much".
MonophonyEnglish, texture
A texture with a single melody and no accompaniment. A solo singer with no instrument, or everyone singing the same notes in unison, is monophonic.
MorendoItalian, dynamics
Fade away, getting slower and softer until the sound dies out. Literally "dying".
MotifFrench, harmony
A short musical idea, a few notes with a clear rhythm, that is repeated and changed through a piece. The opening four notes of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 are a famous motif. Literally "motive".
MovementEnglish, form
One of the main sections of a longer work such as a symphony, sonata or concerto. Movements are often separated by pauses and have their own tempos.
NaturalEnglish, notation
A sign (♮) that cancels a sharp or flat and brings the note back to its plain pitch, the white key on a piano.
Non troppoItalian, expression
A phrase added to other markings to soften them, such as allegro non troppo (fast, but not too fast). Literally "not too much".
NoteheadEnglish, notation
The oval part of a note. It sits on a line or in a space, and where it sits shows the pitch.
ObbligatoItalian, texture
An important extra instrumental part that goes with the main melody and should not be left out. Literally "obligatory".
OctaveEnglish, harmony
The distance from one note to the next note with the same name, eight scale steps away. The two notes sound alike, one higher.
OpusOp.Latin
A number given to a composer's works, usually in the order they were published, as in Beethoven, Op. 27. Literally "work".
OrnamentEnglish, technique
A small decorating note or group of notes added to a main note, such as a trill, turn or mordent.
OstinatoItalian, texture
A short pattern of notes or rhythm that repeats again and again, often in the bass or an accompaniment. Literally "stubborn".
Ottava8vaItalian, notation
A line with 8va over the notes means play them one octave higher than written. With 8vb, or under the notes, play them an octave lower. Literally "octave".
OvertureFrench, form
A piece of music played at the start of an opera, ballet or play. Some are also played alone in concerts. Literally "opening".
PentatonicEnglish, harmony
A scale with five notes in an octave. The major and minor pentatonic scales are used in folk, rock and blues music.
PhraseEnglish, form
A musical idea that feels like one spoken sentence, usually four or eight measures long and ending in a cadence.
PianissimoppItalian, dynamics
Very soft. It is written pp and is softer than piano. Literally "very soft".
PianopItalian, dynamics
Soft. It is written p and is softer than mezzo piano. It is also the name of the keyboard instrument. Literally "soft".
PickupEnglish, rhythm
One or more notes before the first full measure, also called an anacrusis. Count them as the last beats of an imagined measure.
Piu mossoItalian, tempo
Play faster than before. Mosso means "moved," so piu mosso is "more movement." It is written più mosso in scores. Literally "more moved".
Pizzicatopizz.Italian, technique
Pluck the strings of a bowed instrument with the finger instead of using the bow. Literally "pinched".
Poco a pocoItalian, expression
Gradually, a little at a time. It is placed before other words, as in poco a poco crescendo (get louder bit by bit). Literally "little by little".
PolyphonyEnglish, texture
A texture with two or more independent melodic lines sounding together, each with its own rhythm. Rounds and fugues are polyphonic.
PrestissimoItalian, tempo
Extremely fast, faster than presto. Usually about 200 beats per minute or more. Literally "as quick as possible".
PrestoItalian, tempo
Very fast. Usually about 168 to 200 beats per minute. Literally "quick".
QuartetItalian, texture
A piece for four performers, or the four performers. A string quartet has two violins, a viola and a cello.
Rallentandorall.Italian, tempo
Gradually slow down. It means almost the same as ritardando, though some musicians feel rallentando is more gradual. Literally "slowing down".
Relative minorEnglish, harmony
The minor key that shares a key signature with a major key. It starts on the sixth note of the major scale, so A minor is the relative minor of C major.
Repeat signEnglish, form
Two dots next to a double bar line. A start repeat opens the section and an end repeat sends you back to it.
RestEnglish, notation
A sign for silence. Each rest has a length that matches a note value, such as a quarter rest or a whole rest.
RhythmEnglish, rhythm
The pattern of long and short notes and silences in music, set against the steady beat.
Ritardandorit.Italian, tempo
Gradually slow down. Common at the end of a phrase or piece. After it, a tempo means to return to the original speed. Literally "slowing down".
Ritenutoriten.Italian, tempo
Slow down at once, rather than little by little. It is often a short, sudden change of tempo. Literally "held back".
RootEnglish, harmony
The note a chord is built on and named for. In a C major chord, the root is C.
RoundEnglish, texture
A short melody in which each singer starts at a different time, so the tune overlaps with itself. It is a simple type of canon.
RubatoItalian, expression
Bend the tempo freely, speeding up and slowing down for expression, while the overall pulse stays about the same. Literally "robbed".
ScaleEnglish, harmony
A set of notes in order, going up or down by steps, that makes up the sound of a key. Major and minor scales are the most common.
ScherzandoItalian, expression
Play in a light, playful and joking manner. Literally "joking".
ScherzoItalian, form
A fast, lively piece or movement, usually in triple time. Beethoven replaced the minuet with the scherzo in his symphonies. Literally "joke".
SegnoItalian, form
A sign that looks like an S with a slash and two dots. Dal segno (D.S.) sends you back to it. Literally "sign".
SemitoneEnglish, rhythm
The British word for half step, the distance between two neighboring keys on the piano.
SempreItalian, expression
Keep doing what was marked, as in sempre staccato (keep playing short notes). Literally "always".
SenzaItalian, expression
A word that means to leave something out, as in senza sordino (without the mute) or senza pedale (without pedal). Literally "without".
SforzandosfzItalian, dynamics
A sudden strong accent on one note or chord. It is written sfz and is stronger than a regular accent. Literally "forcing".
SharpEnglish, notation
A sign (♯) that raises a note by a half step. On a keyboard, move to the next key to the right.
Similesim.Italian, expression
Keep playing in the same way as before. It saves writing the same marking again. Literally "in the same way".
SlurEnglish, articulation
A curved line over or under notes of different pitches. Play them smoothly in one connected group, often in a single breath or bow stroke.
Smorzandosmorz.Italian, dynamics
Fade away, getting softer and usually slower, until the sound fades out. Literally "extinguishing".
SoloItalian, texture
A piece or passage for one performer, with or without accompaniment. Literally "alone".
SonataItalian, form
A piece for one or two instruments, often in three or four movements. Piano sonatas by Mozart and Beethoven are famous examples. Literally "sounded".
SopranoItalian
The highest voice part in a choir, or the highest instrument in a family, such as the soprano saxophone. Literally "above".
SostenutoItalian, articulation
Hold the notes for their full length, in a sustained way. On a piano, it is also the name of the middle pedal. Literally "sustained".
Sotto voceItalian, expression
Play or sing very softly, in a hushed tone, almost like a whisper. Literally "under the voice".
StaccatoItalian, articulation
Play the notes short and separated. It is written as a dot above or below the notehead. Literally "detached".
StaffEnglish, notation
The five horizontal lines and four spaces on which notes are written. Plural: staves. Higher notes sit higher on the staff.
SubdominantEnglish, harmony
The fourth note of a scale, and the chord built on it. The subdominant chord (IV) often moves to the dominant or back to the tonic.
Subitosub.Italian, expression
Do it right away, with no gradual change. Subito piano means to suddenly drop to soft. Literally "suddenly".
SuiteFrench, form
A set of short pieces, often dances, played in order as one work. Literally "sequence".
SymphonyEnglish, form
A large work for orchestra, usually in four movements. Beethoven wrote nine of them.
SyncopationEnglish, rhythm
Stressing a weak beat or the space between beats, so the rhythm seems to jump off the pulse. It is common in jazz, funk and Latin music.
TacetLatin, expression
This player or section does not play during the movement or section. It is like a long rest. Literally "it is silent".
TempoItalian, tempo
The speed of the music, usually measured in beats per minute (BPM). It is written as a word or a metronome number at the start. Literally "time".
Tempo primoItalian, tempo
Go back to the original speed of the piece, after a section that changed tempo. Literally "first tempo".
TenorItalian
The highest common men's voice part in a choir, between bass and alto. The tenor clef is also named after it. Literally "holder".
TenutoItalian, articulation
Hold the note for its full length, with slight weight. It is written as a short horizontal line over or under the notehead. Literally "held".
Ternary formEnglish, form
A three-part form, ABA. The first section returns after a contrasting middle section.
TextureEnglish, texture
How the layers of a piece fit together: one melody alone, melody with chords, or several melodies at once.
ThemeEnglish, form
The main musical idea of a piece, often a tune you can remember. Composers repeat it and change it.
TieEnglish, notation
A curved line that joins two notes of the same pitch into one longer note. Play the first note and hold it for the length of both.
TimbreFrench
The quality of a sound that tells you which instrument or voice you hear, even when the pitch and loudness are the same. Literally "tone color".
Time signatureEnglish, notation
Two numbers at the start of the music. The top shows how many beats are in a measure and the bottom shows which note gets one beat.
TonicEnglish, harmony
The first note of a scale, and the home note of the key. The tonic chord (I) feels like the place of rest.
TranquilloItalian, expression
Play in a calm, peaceful and unhurried way, with a quiet and even mood. Literally "calm".
TranspositionEnglish, harmony
Moving a whole piece or melody up or down to a different key, keeping all the distances between notes the same.
TrebleEnglish
The high range, or the highest voice part. The treble clef is used for higher notes.
TremoloItalian, technique
Repeat one note very quickly, or alternate quickly between two notes. String players do it with short bow strokes. Literally "trembling".
TriadEnglish, harmony
A chord of three notes: a root, a third and a fifth, stacked in thirds. Major, minor, diminished and augmented are the four types.
TrillItalian, technique
A fast back-and-forth between a note and the note above it, held for the length of the written note. It is shown by tr over the note.
Triple meterEnglish, rhythm
A beat pattern grouped in threes, with one strong beat and two weak ones, as in a waltz in 3/4.
TripletEnglish, rhythm
Three notes played in the space of two of the same kind. A group of three eighth-note triplets takes the time of two eighth notes.
TuttiItalian, texture
Everyone plays. It tells all the performers to play together after a solo passage, as in an orchestra or choir. Literally "all".
Una cordaItalian, technique
Press the left pedal on a piano to make the tone softer and sweeter. Tre corde ("three strings") means to release it. Literally "one string".
UnisonEnglish, texture
Two or more performers playing or singing the very same note, or the same melody in the same octave.
UpbeatEnglish, rhythm
The weak beat before a strong beat, usually the last beat of the measure. A pickup measure begins with upbeats.
VariationEnglish, form
A new version of a theme that changes the rhythm, harmony, melody or style but keeps the original recognizable.
VibratoItalian, technique
A small, fast wavering of the pitch that makes a note sound warmer. Singers and string players use it often. Literally "vibrating".
VivaceItalian, tempo
Fast and lively. Usually about 156 to 176 beats per minute. Literally "lively".
VivoItalian, tempo
Lively and brisk. It has a similar speed to vivace, so follow the feel of the music. Literally "lively".
Voice leadingEnglish, harmony
How each separate line in the music moves from one chord to the next. Smooth voice leading uses small steps.
Whole stepEnglish, rhythm
The distance of two half steps, such as C to D. It is also called a whole tone, or just a tone.