Structural Terms

The terms below are used to describe special rules in music.

Name Definition Symbol/Sign
Arpeggio A continuous chord
Coda An extended ending Coda
Codetta A Short ending Codetta
D.C. al Fine Go back to the beginning of a piece and continue playing until the word Fine D.C. al Fine
Damper Pedal Press the rightmost pedal
Fine The end Fine
First & Second Ending 1. Play to the first ending
2. Repeat the song
3. While replaying, skip the first ending
4. Play the second ending
Octave Play the written notes 1 octave higher (8va) or 1 octave lower (8vb) 8va & 8vb
Ostinato A repeating pattern
Repeat sign Repeat the piece from the beginning or from the last repeat sign
Slur Play the notes connected together
Tie Hold the note for both beat values, don't play the second note
Tre Corde Release the leftmost pedal N/A
Una Corda Press the leftmost pedal U.C.

The terms below are used to describe the structure of music notation.

Name Definition Symbol/Sign
Canon A strict structural piece in which each voice exactly imitates the melody of the first voice N/A
Opus Indicates the chronological order of the composer's work Opus
Phrase A musical sentence often 4 measures long N/A

Review

  1. None! Just review terms.

 

« Embellishments