Music Vocabulary

This list provides a glimpse into the terminology used in classical music, but there are many more terms and concepts that contribute to the richness and diversity of the genre.

• Allegro: A tempo marking indicates a fast and lively pace.

• Andante: A tempo marking indicates a moderate, walking pace.

• Adagio:  A tempo marking indicating a slow and leisurely pace.

• Aria: A solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, often found in operas or oratorios.

• Baroque: A period in Western classical music history, roughly spanning from 1600 to 1750, known for its ornamentation and expressive melodies.

• Cadenza: A virtuosic solo passage in a concerto, typically near the end of a movement, allowing the performer to showcase their skill.

• Canon: A musical form in which a melody is imitated by voices or instruments at a fixed interval.

• Music Chamber Music: Is music composed for small ensembles, often with one player per part.

• Concerto: A composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra.

• Counterpoint: The combination of different melodic lines in a musical composition.

• Crescendo: A gradual increase in volume.

• Diminuendo: A gradual decrease in volume.

• Fugue: A complex contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others.

• Harmony: Is the simultaneous combination of different musical notes to produce chords.

• Largo: A tempo marking indicates a very slow pace.

• Overture: An instrumental composition that precedes an opera or a ballet.

• Rondo: A musical form featuring a recurring main theme interspersed with contrasting episodes

• Sonata: A composition for solo instrument, usually piano or violin, in three or four movements.

• Symphony: A large orchestral composition typically in four movements.

• Tempo: The speed at which a piece of music is played.

• Toccata: A virtuosic piece of music characterized by fast and elaborate passages

• Vibrato: A slight and rapid fluctuation in pitch to enhance the expressiveness of a musical performance.

• Waltz: A dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat and a basic pattern of step-step-close.

• Opera: A dramatic work in which singers perform with orchestral accompaniment, telling a story through music and lyrics.

• Oratorio: A large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, usually telling a religious or allegorical story.