Duration
Rhythmic groupings that divide the beat into an unusual number of pulses (e.g. triplets, duplets, quintuplets).
Irregular divisions
The identifiable home note of a piece of music that is not in a recognisable major or minor key, but still has a clear sense of tonality.
Tonal centre
The type of mallets used that are made of wire or nylon, that produce a softer, swishing sound that are common in jazz.
Brushes
An object used to strike a percussion instrument to produce its sound.
Mallet
The lowest of the three common female vocal ranges (F3 to D5)
Alto
A slow and solemn tempo marking, between 40 and 60 BPM.
Largo
Notes within a chord that are not a part of the triad or 7th chord (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
Chord extension
A technique where a light touch halfway along a string length produces a higher pitch, often described as having a bell-like tone.
Harmonics
A particular part of the vocal range that creates a full, warm tone.
Chest voice
The instrument categorisation for those that produce sound through the vibration of a stretched skin.
Membranophone
A tempo marking meaning “lively” (155-175bpm)
Vivace
A harmonious sound (e.g. a 3rd, 6th, or perfect interval) that doesn't clash harmonically.
Consonant
Notes played smoothly and connected.
Legato
The technique of using the tongue to start and stop the airflow to articulate notes cleanly.
Tonguing
Music where two or more main melodic lines of equal importance play simultaneously.
Polyphonic
A tempo marking meaning slow, stately pace (66bpm - 76bpm)
Adagio
When two melodies are going in opposite melodic directions to each other at the same time (one ascends, the other descends)
Contrary motion
Marked, accented; notes are to be emphasised.
Marcato
Notes held for their full value; each note is slightly sustained.
Tenuto
Instrument categorisation for those that produce sounds from the material of the instrument itself. They may be struck/hit, scraped, shaken, or rubbed.
Idiophone
Sort the following tempo markings into order: Adagio, Allegro, Andante, Largo, Moderato, Presto, Vivace.
Largo, Adagio, Andante, Moderato, Allegro, Vivace, Presto
A chord made of stacked major 3rds (1, 3, #5).
Augmented chord
An electronic effect that creates a sweeping, swirling sound by splitting the signal and shifting the phase of one part.
Phaser
Technique term for string instruments playing with a bow.
Arco
A texture in which multiple voices or instruments perform their own embellished versions of the same melody simultaneously.
Heterophonic