Jr. High Band Vocabulary List

LIST ONE LIST THREE1. Flat – A sign used to lower the pitch of

a note a half step.

2. Accelerando – Becoming gradually

faster.

3. Slur – A curved line connecting notes

of different lines or spaces.

4. Allegro – Fast.

5. Natural – A sign used to return a note

to its original pitch. It both lowers and

raises a note one half step.

6. Andante – Slow walking pace.

7. Rallentando – Becoming gradually

slower.

8. Sharp – A sign used to raise the pitch

of a note one half step.

9. a tempo – Return to the original tempo.

10. Tie – A curved line which connects

notes of the same line or space.

LIST TWO

1. Bar Line – A vertical line which

divides measures.

2. Common Time – 4/4 meter written

with a C.

3. Forte – Loud.

4. Crescendo – Gradually becoming

louder.

5. D.C. al Fine – Go back to the top of the

piece and play to the “Fine” which is

the end.

6. Phrase – A musical sentence or idea.

7. Decrescendo – Gradually become

quieter.

8. Fortissimo – Very Loud.

9. Double Bar Line – Two vertical lines

which mark the end of a section.

10. Time Signature – A sign placed after

the Clef and Key signature indicating

the meter.

1. Dynamics – The symbols which

indicate the varying degrees of volume.

2. Embouchure – The position and shape

of the lips of a wind player.

3. Fermata – A sign that indicates the

note should be played longer than its

normal length.

4. Harmony – More than one “Pitch”

being played simultaneously.

5. Key Signature – The sharps and flats at

the beginning of the measure which

give you the key.

6. Largo – Very slow.

7. Arpeggio – A “broken” chord whose

notes are played individually.

8. Ledger Lines – Horizontal lines used to

extend the staff higher or lower.

9. Legato – To play a group of notes

smoothly without separation.

10. Measure – The notes and rests between

two bar lines.

11. Mezzo Forte – Moderately loud.

LIST FOUR

1. D.S. al Fine – Go back to the sign and

play to the “Fine” which is the end.

2. Moderato – In a moderate tempo.

3. Piano – Soft.

4. Ritardando – Becoming gradually

slower.

5. Simile – Continue to perform in the

same style.

6. Accent – To emphasize a note.

7. Soli – One section is playing a certain

section of music.

8. Solo – One player is playing a certain

section of music.

9. Accidental – A symbol used to raise,

lower, or return a note to the normal

pitch.

10. Staccato – To play the note short and

separated.

11. Tempo – The speed at which the music

moves.