Basic Terms
Symbols
Tempo
Notes and Rests
Dynamics
100

This means "to pluck"

What is pizzicato?

100

This symbol tells you to hold the note or rest for longer than its value.

What is a fermata?

100

This tempo means to play fast.

What is allegro?

100

This gets one beat of sound.

What is a quarter note?

100

This means to gradually get louder.

What is crescendo?

200

This means "smooth and connected."

What is legato?

200

This symbol tells the player to start the bow from the frog.

What is a down bow?

200

This tells you to gradually get slower.

What is ritardando?

200

This gets two beats of silence.

What is a half rest.

200

This tells you to gradually get quieter.

What is decrescendo?

300

This is at the beginning of this music, and tells you what notes to play sharp or flat.

What is key signature?

300

This symbol tells you to go back and do it again.

What is a repeat sign?

300

This tempo means "walking pace."

What is andante?

300

This gets three beats of sound.

What is a dotted half note?

300

This means to play very loud.

What is fortissimo (FF)?

400

This means to play with the bow.

What is arco?
400

This dot tells you to play the note short.

What is staccato?

400

This tells you to gradually get faster.

What is accelerando?

400

This gets four beats of silence.

What is a whole rest?

400

This means to play softly.

What is piano (P)?

500

This tells you to play either the top or bottom note.

What is divisi?

500

These are flats, naturals, or sharps that are in the music but do not appear in the key signature.

What are accidentals?

500

This tempo means to play very fast.

What is presto?

500

This gets half of one beat of sound.

What is an eighth note?

500

This means to play medium loud.

What is mezzo forte (MF)?