WBMS Orchestra
James Barket, Director
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Orchestra Terms:
Up-beat
(pick-up): The note or notes before
the first full measure. The remaining notes of this measure are found in the
last measure of the piece.
Slur: Connects at least two different pitches.
Tie: Connects two or more of the same pitches.
Hooked
Bowing: The bow moves in the same
direction but stops in between notes.
Staccato: A staccato dot
means notes are played short.
Tenuto: A tenuto line means notes are played long.
Accidental: A sharp or a flat put before a note that is not
included in the key signature. It is good only for that note, but it lasts for
an entire measure. A sharp raises a pitch by ˝ step, a flat lowers a pitch by ˝
step. A natural changes a note that was
sharp or flat back to natural (C-sharp would become C-natural, B-flat would
become B-natural).
Dynamics: P (piano, soft) MP (mezzo piano-moderately soft) MF
(mezzo forte—moderately loud) F (forte—loud) FF (fortissimo—very loud).
D.C. (Da
Capo): Go back to the beginning of
the piece.
D. S. (Da
Segno): Go back to the sign.
Coda: The last section of a piece that is not played
straight through. Watch for the coda sign!!!
Allegro: A moving, fast tempo.
Allegretto: Moderate fast tempo (slower than Allegro)
Andante: Slow, walking tempo
Expressivo: Very expressive
Time Signature:
Top number = how many; Bottom number
= what kind of note
Subito
(Sub.) At once
Legato: Smooth,
connected notes
Allargando: Gradually getting slower and broader
Rallentando; Slowing down