orchestra vocab
Bar Line
a vertical line dividing the staff into measures
Sharp
Raises a not 1/2 step
quarter note
1 beat of sound
Allegro
fast and bright
forte
loud
slur
a curved line that smoothly connects 2 or more notes in the same bow direction
Flat
Lowers a note 1/2 step
half note
2 beats of sound
Andante
moderately slow, at a walking pace
mf
mezzo forte, medium loud
arco
with bow
Interval
The distance between 2 notes
4 beats of sound
Moderato
medium speed
pianissimo
very soft
Key Signature
cancels a previous sharp or flat
dotted half note
3 beats of sound
Ritardando (rit.)
Gradually slow down
ff
fortissimo, very loud
Time Signature
Placed at the beginning of music, it indicates the number of beats per measure and the type of note receiving one beat.
Half Step
The smallest distance, or interval, between 2 notes
dotted quarter note
1 and 1/2 beats of sound
A Tempo
return to the original tempo
decrescendo
to gradually get softer