A tempo
A direction to return to the previous tempo.
In practice: After slowing down, resume the earlier pace.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)LEARNING RESOURCES
Music Dictionary
Understand the words in your music, one term at a time.
127 terms
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Accelerando (accel.)
Gradually increase the speed.
In practice: Let each beat become a little quicker.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Accent
An emphasis that makes a note or beat stand out.
In practice: Give a marked note more prominence than its neighbors.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Accidental
A sharp, flat, or natural sign outside the key signature that changes a written pitch.
In practice: A temporary C-sharp appears beside a note in a C major passage.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Acoustics
The study of sound, or the way sound behaves in a space.
In practice: A hall's acoustics affect how clearly an ensemble is heard.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Adagio
Play at a slow pace.
In practice: Give a gentle melody room to breathe.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Allegretto
A direction to play moderately quickly, generally less quickly than allegro.
In practice: Keep the melody light and moving.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Allegro
Play at a lively, quick pace.
In practice: Keep the quick passage energetic and steady.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Alto
A lower vocal part below soprano, commonly used in choral music.
In practice: The alto section supplies a lower harmony beneath the sopranos.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Andante
Play at a moderately slow, walking pace.
In practice: Imagine a comfortable walking pulse.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Arpeggio
The notes of a chord performed one after another.
In practice: Play C, E, and G in sequence rather than together.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Articulation
The manner of starting, connecting, and separating musical sounds.
In practice: Compare smooth legato notes with detached staccato notes.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Bar line
A vertical line dividing written music into measures.
In practice: Start a new measure after the bar line.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Baritone
A vocal range between tenor and bass, or a singer in that range.
In practice: A baritone sings comfortably between those two ranges.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Bass
The lowest standard vocal range, or a low musical part or instrument.
In practice: The bass line supports the harmony beneath the melody.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Beat
A regular pulse used to organize musical time.
In practice: Tap your foot to the song's steady pulse.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Cadence
A melodic or harmonic progression that marks a point of arrival or closure.
In practice: A dominant chord resolving to the tonic can close a phrase.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Cadenza
An elaborate solo passage, often allowing a performer to display skill.
In practice: A concerto soloist plays a featured passage before the orchestra returns.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Canon
A composition in which one part imitates another after a delay.
In practice: A second voice begins the same melody a few beats later.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Cantabile
A direction to perform in a flowing, singing manner.
In practice: Shape an instrumental melody as if you were singing it.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Choir
An organized group of singers performing together.
In practice: Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses sing as a choir.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Chord
Three or more tones sounding together.
In practice: C, E, and G together form a C major chord.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Chromatic
Relating to pitches moving by half steps or notes outside a given diatonic scale.
In practice: A chromatic run visits each neighboring piano key.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Clef
A staff symbol that establishes the pitch of its notes.
In practice: The treble clef identifies the second line as G above middle C.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Coda
A concluding section that brings a piece or movement to an ending.
In practice: After the repeated section, jump to the marked closing passage.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Concerto
A composition featuring a soloist or soloists with an accompanying ensemble.
In practice: A piano soloist performs with an orchestra.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Consonance
A combination of tones perceived as stable or at rest in a musical context.
In practice: A settled major triad can sound consonant.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Counterpoint
The combination of independent melodic lines into a coherent musical texture.
In practice: Two melodies keep their identities while sounding together.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Crescendo (cresc.)
Gradually increase the loudness.
In practice: Build from a quiet opening to a stronger ending.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Da capo (D.C.)
A direction to return to the beginning of a piece.
In practice: At D.C., go back to the opening.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Dal segno (D.S.)
A direction to return to a marked sign in the music.
In practice: At D.S., find the segno and continue from there.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Decrescendo (decresc.)
Gradually decrease the loudness.
In practice: Let the phrase become softer.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Diatonic
Relating to a seven-note scale with five whole steps and two half steps.
In practice: The white keys form the diatonic notes of C major.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Diminuendo (dim.)
A direction to decrease the loudness gradually.
In practice: Let the final phrase fade into a softer sound.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Dissonance
A combination of tones creating tension or a sense of instability in a musical context.
In practice: A tense chord may lead toward a more settled harmony.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Dolce
A direction to perform sweetly and gently.
In practice: Use a warm sound and tender phrasing.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Dominant
The fifth scale degree, or the chord built on it.
In practice: G is the dominant scale degree in C major.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Downbeat
The first beat of a measure.
In practice: Emphasize beat one when counting a new measure.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Duet
Music for two performers, or the pair performing it.
In practice: Two clarinetists share a duet.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Dynamics
The variations in loudness within a musical performance.
In practice: Contrast a quiet verse with a stronger chorus.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Enharmonic
Describing differently named notes that share a pitch in equal temperament.
In practice: C-sharp and D-flat use the same piano key.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Espressivo
A direction to perform expressively.
In practice: Use phrasing and tone to bring out the melody's character.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Fermata
A sign indicating that a note, rest, or chord is held longer than its written duration.
In practice: Hold the last note until the conductor gives the release.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Flat
A sign indicating that a note is lowered by a half step.
In practice: B-flat is one half step below B.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Forte (f)
A direction to perform loudly.
In practice: Use a strong sound while controlling your tone.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Fortissimo (ff)
A direction to perform very loudly.
In practice: Use a fuller sound than forte.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Fugue
A contrapuntal composition built around a subject introduced in different voices.
In practice: A theme enters in one voice and is answered by another.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Glissando
A sliding movement through a series of pitches.
In practice: Slide along the piano keys from a low note to a high note.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Harmony
The combination of musical tones sounding together.
In practice: A choir combines different pitches beneath a tune.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Improvisation
Creating music during the performance rather than following every detail of a fixed score.
In practice: Invent a melody over a repeating chord pattern.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Interlude
A short musical passage or piece between larger sections.
In practice: An instrumental passage connects two vocal sections.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Interval
The distance in pitch between two tones.
In practice: C up to G is a perfect fifth.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Intonation
Accuracy of musical pitch in a performance.
In practice: Adjust a held note until it matches the ensemble.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Key signature
Sharps or flats at the start of a staff indicating a key.
In practice: One sharp is used for G major or E minor.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Larghetto
A direction to play somewhat slowly, generally less slowly than largo.
In practice: Keep a relaxed pulse with forward movement.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Largo
A direction to play at a broad, slow pace.
In practice: Give each beat space and avoid rushing.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Ledger line
A short additional staff line for notes above or below the staff.
In practice: Middle C uses a ledger line below the treble staff.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Legato
Perform successive notes smoothly and connected.
In practice: Join the melody without deliberate gaps.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Leggiero
A direction to perform lightly and delicately.
In practice: Keep a quick passage buoyant and gentle.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Lento
A direction to play slowly.
In practice: Keep the slow beats evenly spaced.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Marcato
A direction to perform with pronounced emphasis.
In practice: Make the marked notes distinct and strongly shaped.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Measure
A section of musical time containing a prescribed group of beats.
In practice: A measure of 4/4 usually contains four quarter-note beats.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Melody
A succession of tones heard as a musical line.
In practice: The tune you hum is a melody.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Meter
The grouping of beats into recurring patterns of emphasis.
In practice: Hear the repeating strong-weak-weak pattern of triple meter.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Metronome
A device that marks a steady pulse at a chosen speed.
In practice: Set it to 72 and play one quarter-note beat per click.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Mezzo-forte (mf)
A direction to perform moderately loudly.
In practice: Use a confident sound that leaves room to grow louder.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Mezzo-piano (mp)
A direction to perform moderately softly.
In practice: Play gently while keeping the phrase audible.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Moderato
A direction to perform at a moderate speed.
In practice: Choose a steady pace between slow and fast.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Modulation
A change from one musical key to another.
In practice: A piece begins in C major and later moves to G major.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Motif
A short musical idea that recurs or helps build a composition.
In practice: A small rhythmic idea returns throughout a movement.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Natural
A sign canceling a previous sharp or flat for a note.
In practice: An F-natural cancels an F-sharp where the notation requires it.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Octave
An interval spanning eight scale steps, with one pitch having twice the other frequency.
In practice: Two adjacent C notes on a piano are an octave apart.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Orchestra
An instrumental ensemble, typically including strings, winds, brass, and percussion.
In practice: The conductor coordinates several instrument sections.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Ostinato
A musical pattern repeated persistently through a passage.
In practice: Repeat the same bass pattern while the melody changes.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Overtone
A frequency component above the fundamental frequency of a sound.
In practice: Higher components contribute to an instrument's tone color.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Overture
An instrumental introduction to a larger dramatic work, or a standalone piece of that kind.
In practice: The orchestra plays before the opera's opening scene.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Pentatonic
Relating to a scale containing five pitches per octave.
In practice: C, D, E, G, and A form a major pentatonic scale.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Phrase
A musical unit shaped like a connected thought within a larger passage.
In practice: A melody has an opening phrase followed by an answering phrase.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Phrasing
Shaping musical passages into expressive groups.
In practice: Let a melody rise toward its main note and relax afterward.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Pianissimo (pp)
A direction to perform very softly.
In practice: Use a delicate sound, softer than piano.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Piano (p)
A direction to perform softly.
In practice: Keep the sound quiet but clear.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Pitch
The perceived highness or lowness of a musical sound.
In practice: A piccolo generally plays higher pitches than a tuba.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Pizzicato (pizz.)
Pluck the strings of a bowed string instrument instead of bowing them.
In practice: A violinist plucks a marked passage with a finger.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Polyrhythm
The simultaneous use of contrasting rhythmic patterns.
In practice: One part plays three evenly spaced notes while another plays two.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Prestissimo
A direction to perform extremely quickly.
In practice: Keep very rapid notes clear and coordinated.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Presto
A direction to play very quickly.
In practice: Practice slowly before building to the marked speed.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Quartet
Music for four performers, or a group of four performers.
In practice: Two violins, viola, and cello form a string quartet.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Quintet
Music for five performers, or a group of five performers.
In practice: Five wind players perform a quintet.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Rallentando (rall.)
A direction to slow the music gradually.
In practice: Let the pulse ease as a phrase settles.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Refrain
A recurring musical section or line.
In practice: The same section returns after each verse.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Resonance
The strengthening or prolonging of sound through vibration.
In practice: A guitar's body helps the vibrating strings produce a fuller sound.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Rest
A notation sign indicating a period of musical silence.
In practice: Count through the rest before playing your next note.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Rhythm
The pattern of durations and accents organizing musical movement.
In practice: Clap a pattern of long and short sounds.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Ritardando (rit.)
Gradually slow down.
In practice: Ease the pace toward the end of a phrase.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Rondo
A form in which a main section returns between contrasting sections.
In practice: An A-B-A-C-A pattern keeps returning to A.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Rubato
Expressive flexibility in the timing of a musical passage.
In practice: Stretch a melodic moment, then let the phrase move onward.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Scale
An ordered series of pitches moving upward or downward.
In practice: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C is a C major scale.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Score
Written music showing the parts of a composition.
In practice: A conductor follows several instrumental parts in one score.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Semitone
The smallest interval commonly used in Western twelve-tone tuning; a half step.
In practice: E to F is a semitone.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Sforzando (sfz)
A direction to give a note or chord a strong, sudden emphasis.
In practice: Give the marked chord an immediate accent.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Sharp
A sign indicating that a note is raised by a half step.
In practice: F-sharp is one half step above F.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Slur
A curved line grouping notes to indicate a connected manner of performance.
In practice: Play a slurred phrase smoothly according to your instrument's technique.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Sonata
An instrumental composition, typically in several movements, for a soloist or small ensemble.
In practice: A violin and piano perform the movements of a sonata.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Soprano
The highest standard vocal range, or a singer or part in that range.
In practice: A soprano sings the upper line in a choir.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Staccato
Perform notes briefly and separately.
In practice: Leave space between the notes.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Staff
The five parallel lines on which musical notes are written.
In practice: Read pitches from their positions on the lines and spaces.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Subdominant
The fourth scale degree, or the chord built on it.
In practice: F is the subdominant scale degree in C major.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Symphony
An extended orchestral composition, commonly organized into several movements.
In practice: An orchestra performs contrasting fast and slow movements.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Syncopation
Emphasis on normally weak beats or parts of beats.
In practice: Accent the spaces between the main beats.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tempo
The speed of a musical piece or passage.
In practice: A marking of 80 sets 80 indicated beats per minute.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tenor
A higher adult male vocal range, or a singer or part in that range.
In practice: A tenor sings above the bass part in a choir.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tenuto
A direction to sustain a note for its full written duration.
In practice: Keep the note supported instead of shortening it.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tie
A curved line joining notes of the same pitch into one sustained sound.
In practice: Two tied quarter notes last as long as one half note.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Timbre
The distinctive tone quality of a voice or instrument.
In practice: A flute and violin can play the same pitch but sound different.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Time signature
A notation indicating musical meter, usually with two numbers.
In practice: In 3/4, each measure contains three quarter-note beats.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tonic
The first scale degree and tonal center of a key.
In practice: C is the tonic in C major.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Transposition
Moving music to a different pitch level while preserving its interval relationships.
In practice: Move a melody up a whole step so it fits a singer's range.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Tremolo
A trembling musical effect made by rapid repetition or alternation of tones.
In practice: Repeat a violin note rapidly with short bow strokes.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Triad
A three-note chord built by stacking two thirds.
In practice: C, E, and G form a major triad.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Trill (tr)
A rapid alternation between a note and the note above it.
In practice: Alternate quickly between the written note and its upper neighbor.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Trio
Music for three performers, or a group of three performers.
In practice: Violin, cello, and piano form a piano trio.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Triplet
A group of three notes performed in the time normally occupied by two of the same value.
In practice: Fit three evenly spaced eighth notes into one quarter-note beat.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Unison
Two or more parts sounding the same pitch together.
In practice: Two flutes play the same melody on the same notes.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Upbeat
An unaccented beat, especially one preceding a downbeat.
In practice: A short pickup leads into the first strong beat.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Vibrato
A small, regular variation in pitch that adds expression to a sustained sound.
In practice: Listen for the gentle pitch movement in a singer's held note.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Vivace
A direction to perform in a lively, brisk manner.
In practice: Bring energy to the phrase without losing control.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Whole tone
An interval equal to two semitones; a whole step.
In practice: C to D is a whole tone.
Source: Merriam-Webster (new tab)Definitions are concise OpenScores paraphrases based on the linked Merriam-Webster entries. Examples and diagrams are by OpenScores. Tempo and dynamic markings depend on musical context. Sources checked October 11, 2026.