Glossary

A
A note of the scale. Nowadays, A is usually defined as having the pitch 440Hz (440 cycles per second), and is used for tuning instruments, particularly in orchestras. A440 is known as 'Concert Pitch'
Abend
German for 'evening'. Often used in titles of pieces
Absolute Music
Music composed simply for its own sake, not as a vehicle for the expression of anything in particular on the part of the composer
Absolute Pitch
See 'Perfect Pitch'
Abstract Music
See 'Absolute Music'
Accelerando
An Italian term meaning 'Getting gradually faster'
Accent
To accent a note is to emphasise it by playing it slightly louder than the surrounding notes. Also used to describe the musical symbol denoting that a note should be accented
Acciaccatura
An Italian term for a very short note played immediately before the main note to which it is related
Accidental
In musical notation, a temporary alteration to the pitch of a note, which lasts only during that bar. The note will be raised or lowered in pitch depending on the sign in front of it (such as a sharp, flat or natural sign)
Accompagnato
See 'Recitative'
Accompaniment
The musical support given to a melody or solo part in music, providing a harmony and a structure which supports the melody
Acoustics
The properties of a space (such as a concert hall) or instrument, with regard to the way sound travels within it. Also used to describe the study of such properties
Ad lib.
Latin, short for 'Ad Libitum', meaning to improvise. Often used to direct a musician to perform a piece of written-out music with their own rhythmic freedom
Adagio
Italian for 'slow'. Often used in titles of music, particularly in Sonatas and similar styles of music
Agitato
Italian for 'restless'
Air
A simple tune for instrument or voice
Al fine
Italian for 'to the end'
Alberti Bass
A style of keyboard composition common in 18th and 19th century music, in which the bass part (usually played by the left hand) uses simple arpeggios and chord movements
Aleatoric/Aleatory Music
A 20th century style of music where random events are allowed to shape elements of the music
Alla
Italian word with various meanings according to context. Can mean 'to the', 'at the', or 'in the manner of'
Alla Breve
An Italian term, directing the musician to feel that the 'pulse' of the music is slowed by a half in relation to the notation
Allargando
Italian for 'getting slower' or 'getting broader'
Allegretto
An Italian term meaning 'slower than 'Allegro''
Allegro
Italian for 'fast, lively, sprightly'
Allemande
A fairly slow dance in 4/4 time, commonly the first movement in a Baroque Dance Suite. Later a faster dance in triple time, the forerunner of the Waltz
Appassionato
Italian for 'impassioned'
Appoggiatura
An Italian term for an ornamental note (which does not fit the harmony of the music), which either rises or falls to a note which does fit the harmony of the music
Arco
Italian term directing string players to play using the bow rather than plucking the strings with the fingers. Opposite of 'Pizzicato'
Aria
A song for one or more voices, which occurs in Operas and Oratorios. See also 'Da Capo Aria'
Arioso
Italian for 'like an Aria'
Arpeggio
An Italian term for a chord which is performed with the notes played one-by-one rather than at the same time
Arrangement
The re-writing of a piece of music for different instruments or in a different form. Also used of the resulting piece of music
Atonal
Music which is composed without a 'key' (such as G major or E minor). Common in the 20th century, other methods of organising pitches were sometimes used instead, such as the 'Tone Row'
Attacca
An Italian term directing the musician to go straight on to the next section of music without a break
a capella
Choral music performed without instrumental accompaniment.
Accordion
A musical instrument with a small keyboard and free-vibrating metal reeds that sound when air is generated by pleated bellows.