#1 MUSICAL TERMS

1. Absolute pitch - The ability to name instantly and without fail any note struck on the piano or played on any instrument (or voice). Also known as perfect pitch.

2. A cappella – Latin/Italian -  "As in chapel", that is, as in the church style; choral singing without instrumental accompaniment.

3. Accelerando - Italian - Tempo marking that means to accelerate.

4. Accent - A stress put on a note for emphasis.

5. Accidental - Any chromatic sign not found in the key signature of a piece of music.

6. Acoustics - The science of musical tones distinguished from mere noises. A tone of sustained and equal pitch is caused by regular and constant vibrations of the air, set in motions by similar vibrations in the body producing the tone. (p.5)

7. Action - In keyboard instruments, the mechanism set in motion by the player's fingers.

8. Adagio – Italian -  Tempo marking meaning slow.

9. Air or Aria – English/Italian - A tune, melody, or a song taken from an opera, oratorio, etc.

10. Alla breve – Italian - A meter in 2/2; also called "cut time."

11. Allargando – Italian - Tempo marking meaning to grow slower.

12. Allegro – Italian - Tempo marking meaning fast or lively. Allegretto means not quite as fast.

13. Andante – Italian -  Tempo marking meaning 'walking' tempo, easy, moderately slow

14. Appoggiatura – Italian - Gliding over to the next note without a break (Also portamento)

15. Arpeggio – Italian - Playing or singing the tones of a chord in rapid, even succession.

Schirmer Pocket Manual of Musical Terms, Edited by Theodore Baker, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1978