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A term which means a certain elasticity and freedom of tempo or of dynamic values such as accents on weak beats. This practice originated in the 18th century and often applied to the melody, which drifted slightly from the tempo of the accompaniment.
A form of composition in which the the melody is stated, and then the composer varies it. Following this variation, the original melody is repeated and the whole cycle begins again. The form for this is often writen out as A B A C A D A (in which A is the original melody).
A sign which indicates a pause in notes (a silence in the music) for a specified amount of time. The notation of rests resembles notes in length of time, ie: whole, half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth.
A tempo marking indicating that the music should be played very fast.
A term which refers to the high-low quality of musical sounds, which is determined by the number of vibrations per second or the frequency of the tone.
A musical term meaning soft, notated in the score as a single p, with pp meaning pianissimo, or very soft. The name of the instrument called the piano is derived from the markings piano and forte, meaning that the instrument could play both softly and loudly, unlike its predecessor the harpsichord.
A composition for orchestra intended as an introduction to an opera or other vocal or dramatic work. The overtures are sometimes performed separately , however, as they can serve as brilliant showcases for the orchestra in a purely orchestral concert.
An interval of eight tones or the eighth tone of a scale. For example, in the major scale made famous by The Sound of Music, Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do, the “Dos” on either side are the same note, but an octave apart.