Musical Terms and Ensembles

A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.

Notes of a chord played in succession of each other. Also known as a ‘broken chord’.

Musical composition for a solo instrument(s) accompanied by an orchestra.

Artistic dance form performed to music using precise, highly formalized set steps and gestures.

The clef used by treble instruments. Also known as the ‘G Clef’.

The clef used by bass instruments. Also known as the ‘F Clef’.

Virtuoso solo passage inserted into a movement in a concerto/other work, typically near the end

a sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase.

a rapid, slight variation in pitch in singing or playing, producing a stronger or richer tone.

An ensemble of instrumentalists consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion sections.

An ensemble of instrumentalists consisting of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections.

An elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements.

A musical composition for two instruments or voices.

A music genre with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching.

The character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.

a notation marking that instructs a performer or ensemble to perform with a mute.

a clef placing middle C on the middle line of the staff, now used chiefly for viola music.

A rapid alternation of two notes.

Performance technique that a performer or ens. plays notes continuously up/down by half-steps.

Two or more notes played simultaneously.

A short ceremonial tune or flourish played on brass instruments.