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ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
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Ainslie Arts Centre & Online
GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS:
O - R
Oblique motion
A type of progression in two-part counterpoint in which one voice moves and the other remains stationary.
Octave
1. A series of eight consecutive diatonic tones. 2. The interval between the first and eighth tones of such a series.
Opus
Work; often written Op. or op. Opus number, one number in the series with which a composer traditionally marks his or her works.
Ornament
Ossia
Or; or else; indicates an alternative reading or fingering of a passage.
Ostinato
Obstinate; the incessant repetition of a theme.
Ottava
Octave; written 8va---- or 8---- to be played an octave higher; written 8va bassa---- or 8vb---- or 8 bassa---- to be played an octave lower.
Parallel motion
Voice leading in harmony or counterpoint in which intervals move in the same direction.
Passage
1. A portion or section of a piece, usually short. 2. A rapid repeated figure, either ascending or descending.
Passing notes or tones
Notes or tones foreign to the chords which they accompany, and passing by a step from one to another.
Pasticcio (It.) Pastiche (Fr.)
A musical medly of extracts from different works, pieced together an provided with new words so as to form a "new" composition.
Pedal note or tone
A sustained or continuously repeated note (tone).
Perdendosi
Dying away.
Peu à peu
Little by little.
Pesante
Heavy, ponderous; firm, vigorous.
Pezzi
Pieces.
Phrase
A short figure or passage unbroken in continuity and thus complete in itself.
Phrase mark
A curved line connecting the notes of a phrase.
Pezzo
Piece
Phrygian mode
The church mode corresponding to the scale from E to E on the white keys of a piano; the order of intervals is: tone-tone-tone-semitone-tone-tone-semitone.
Piacevole
Pleasant, agreeable.
Pianissimo
Very soft; abbreviated pp.
Piano
Soft, softly; abbreviated p.
Piccanteria, con
With piquant, sprightly expression.
Pietoso
Pitiful, moving.
Piu
More.
Pivot chord
In modulation, a chord pivotal to both the old key and the new key.
Placidamente
Placidly, tranquilly.
Placid
Placid, smooth.
Plein
Full.
Pochissimo
Very little.
Poco
Little. A poco a poco, little by little.
Polka
A lively round dance in 2/4 time.
Polonaise
A dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time and moderate tempo.
Polymetre
The simultaneous presence of musical lines in different meters.
Polyphony
The combination in harmonious progression of two of more independent melodies.
Polyrhythm
The simultaneous presence two or more conflicting transient rhythms.
Polytonality
The simultaneous use of two or more different tonalities or keys.
Pomposo
Pompously, loftily.
Ponderoso
Ponderous.
Posato
Sedate, dignified.
Presedente
Preceding.
Preciso
With precision.
Prelude
A musical introduction to a composition or drama.
Pressando
Pressing on, accelerating.
Pressez
Accelerate; go faster.
Prestissimo
Very rapidly.
Presto
Fast, rapid.
Primary accent
The downbeat. or thesis; the accent beginning the bar.
Progression
The advance from one tone to another (melodic) or from one chord to another (harmonic).
Pronto
Promptly, swiftly.
Pronunziato
Pronounced, marked.
Quadruplet
A group of four exual notes, to be executed in the time of three or six of the same kind of notes in the established rhythm.
Quasi
As if; nearly; approaching.
Quaver
An eighth note.
Quintuplet
A group of five equal notes to be executed in the time of four of the same kind of notes in the established rhythm.
Rallentando
To grow slower.
Rapido
With rapidity: rapidly.
Rasch
Fast, rapid, swift.
Recapitulation
A return of the initial section of a movement in sonata form.
Recitando
In declamatory style.
Refrain
A recurring melody of a song, usually at the end of a stanza: in popular music, a chorus.
Religioso
In a devotional style.
Reprise
A repeat.
Rest
A notated duration indicating a pause or interval of silence.
Riff
A short melodic phrase repeated throughout a piece of music. If may also be a characteristic phrase used by an individual musician in various different pieces, as a "musical signature".
Ritardando
Growing slower and slower.
Pensoso
Pensive, thoughtful.
Rigoroso
In strict time.
Risoluto
In a resolute, vigorous, decided style.
Ritenuto
Held back; at a slower rate of speed.
Rondo
An instrumental piece in which the leading theme (A) is repeated, alternating with the others. A typical pattern, with letters representing thematic sections, is: A-B-A-C-A-B-A
Root
The lowest note of a chord in the fundamental position.
Rubato
Robbed; meaning an expressive quickening or slackening from the tempo, usually without alterating the overall pace.
Ruhig
Quiet, calm, tranquil.
Rührung
Emotion