La Habra High School - HiARTS Mr. David V. Montoya - Music Vocabulary List A - 96 Terms

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

Vocabulary list for all music students, organized as LIST A with 96 music-related terms used in classroom study. Includes definitions across multiple areas: dynamics and performance, form and general musical vocabulary, harmony and melody concepts, instrument characteristics, intervals, jazz and pop terminology, large forms like canon and round, roles of musicians, performance techniques, and foundational pitch, rhythm, meter, and scale/key concepts with common abbreviations and examples.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

LIST A– 96 Terms

Dynamics

Form

General Terms

Harmony and Melody

Instrument Characteristics

Intervals

Jazz and Pop Terms

Large Forms

Musicians

Performance Terms

Piano & Guitar

Pitch

Rhythm/Meter

Scales/Keys/Modes

Vocabulary for all Music Students LIST A– 96 Terms La Habra High School – HiARTS Mr. David V. Montoya STUDENT NAME: DYNAMICS crescendo –(cresc. or ) gradually louder decrescendo –(decresc. or ) gradually softer dynamics – louds and softs in music forte –(f) loud mezzo –(m) medium piano –(p) quiet FORM coda –() a “tag” added to the ending ofa composition double bar line – two vertical lines at the end ofa measure or bar showing “the end”duet – a performance by, or composition for, two musicians introduction – a preparatory section of a song or composition phrase – a natural division of a melodic line (like a clause in speech) quartet – a performance by, or composition for, four musicians repeat sign – two dots next to a double bar line that indicate a repeated section GENERAL TERMS baton – tool a conductor uses to lead an ensemble manuscript paper – paper with staff lines printed on it register – the range of one section of an instrument’s notes score – written music timbre –(Fr.) unique quality of a sound determined by prominence of certain overtones HARMONY AND MELODY fifth – the fifth note above the tonic, it is usually a perfect 5th ; the 3rd note of a triad leading tone – the seventh note of a scale when it is a half-step below the tonic root – the name of a chord, and the bass note when the chord is in root position seventh – the seventh note above the tonic; the fourth note of a seventh chord third – the third note above the tonic; the second note of a triad triad – a three note chord structure built by stacking two thirds above a root, Ex. 1-3-5 or C-E-G INSTRUMENT CHARACTERISTICS brass – metal instruments that use the player lips, along with valves, to create pitch keyboard – an instrument that uses keys to trigger hammers that strike strings and create pitch percussion – an instrument that needs to be struck or shaken to create sound; some have definite pitch (Ex. xylophone) and some have indefinite pitch (Ex. snare drum) strings – instruments that have strings that need to be bowed, plucked or strummed to create pitch woodwind – a (usually) wooden instrument that has a column of air that is lengthened or shortened by a series of holes and pads to create different pitches INTERVALS interval – the distance between two notes, including both notes; Ex. second C-D, third C-E, fourth C-F, fifth C-G, sixth C-A, seventh C-B, octave C-next C half-step – from one note to the very next note in the chromatic scale octave – distance of 12 half-steps; eight notes from one letter to the next same letter; Ex. C up to the next C perfect 5th – distance of 7 half-steps; Ex. C-G or B to F\# whole-step – the distance of two half-steps unison (prime)–(lit. one sound) two or more performers on the same note or line JAZZ AND POP TERMS chorus – also called a refrain, it is the repeated section of a song that usually follows each verse; (also another name for a choir) rhythm section – piano, bass, and drums in a combo; may also include guitar or vibes verse – a stanza which has new lyrics each time it is presented in a song LARGE FORMS canon – when two or more instruments present an imitated melody in overlapping succession at various “intervals of imitation”(in follow-the-leader fashion) round – a vocal canon at the unison or octave; Ex.“Row, row, row your boat…” MUSICIANS composer – a musician who writes the music conductor – a musician who leads other musicians in performance instrumentalist – a musician who plays an instrument vocalist – a musician who sings PERFORMANCE TERMS accent –() strong emphasis on a note articulation – particular ways to perform notes, such as staccato or accented fermata –() hold improvisation – performing music on the spot without written notes legato – smooth and connected poco – a little staccato –() short and detached PIANO & GUITAR 2s and 3s – the pattern of black keys on a piano keyboard; the white note j

FAQs

What is the scope of the vocabulary list, and how many terms does it contain?

The list is for all music students and contains 96 terms under LIST A.

Which topics are covered besides dynamics?

It also covers form, general music terms, harmony and melody, instrument characteristics, intervals, jazz and pop terms, large forms, musician roles, performance terms, pitch, rhythm/meter, and scales/keys/modes.

How are rhythm and pitch concepts represented in the list?

Rhythm and meter terms define elements like measures, beats, rests, and stems, while pitch terms define note representation and staff/corresponding clefs and ledger lines.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw