Band Basics

How Many Beats?

100

Quarter Note

1

200

Whole Note

4

300

Dotted Half Note

3

400

Eighth Note

1/2

500

Dotted Quarter Note

1 1/2

Music Terms

100

Refers to how to attack a note

Articulation

200

Refers to how loud or soft

Dynamics

300

Tells you how many beats in a measure and what note gets the beat. 

Time Signature

400

Refers to how fast you play a piece

Tempo

500

Tells you what flats or sharps to play

Key Signature

How to play it

100

Slur

Smooth and connected

200

Accent

Emphasize/attack the front of the note. 

300

Staccato 

Short and separated

400

Marcato

Emphasis on beginning and end of note. 

500

Tenuto 

Play a note for its full value

Shhhhh

100

Mezzo Piano

medium soft

200

Fortissimo 

Very loud

300

Piano 

Soft

400

Mezzo forte

Medium Loud

500

Crescendo 

Gradually get Louder

How many? What note?

100

4

4

4 beats

Quarter Note

200

2

2

2 Beats

half note

300

6

8

6 Beats

Eighth note

400

3

1

3 Beats 

Whole note

500

12

8

12 Beats 

Eighth Note