Rhythm
This is the speed of the beat.
Tempo
An arrangement of notes that you can hum, sing, or play
Melody
The Italian word meaning "to play strong/loudly"
Forte
The way a piece of music is organized
Form
When two or more notes are played at the same time--usually played along with a melody
Harmony
A steady pulse...
Beat
A musical idea
Phrase
Italian word meaning "to play soft"
Piano
The section that prepares the way into the music
Introduction
When three or more notes are played at the same time, creating a specific tonality
Chord
Patterns of sounds and silence
Rhythm
Happy or bright-sounding characteristics
Major
How loud or soft the music is played
Dynamics
A piece of music with two sections
(A-B Form)
Binary
Sounds that are pleasing or relaxing to the ear
Consonance
The way beats are grouped
Meter
Sad, dark, or mournful characteristics
Minor
Gradually getting louder
Crescendo
The ending section of a piece of music
Coda
The measured distance between two notes
Interval
Mixed groupings of beats... such as 5 or 7
Combined meter
This is the character of the piece--what key it is in and whether it is in major or minor. Played in the right way, it will make the music sound complete.
Tonality
Gradually getting softer
Decrescendo
A piece of music with three sections
(A-B-A Form)
Ternary
Sounds that clash, create tension, or disturb
Dissonance