The world of music is multifaceted, several main areas form the basis of the entire musical culture. Classical, symphony, blues, jazz, pop music, rock and roll, folk, country - there are various genres and styles for every taste and for any mood.
Origin
Music as art arose at the beginning of the sixteenth century, when the first bowed and plucked instruments appeared. Much earlier primitive pipes, horns and flutes, which were made from reed, animal horns and other improvised means, were invented. In the seventeenth century, musical culture was already developing at a rapid pace: more and more instruments appeared, musicians began to unite in groups, duets, trios, quartets, and later in orchestras.
Musical notation
Musical note appeared before musical instruments, since singing, the art of vocals required some kind of consistency, the ability to write down melodies invented on paper and only then to perform them. So there was a stave and the well-known seven notes. Folding notes in a certain order, it was possible to get a melody, compositionally uncomplicated, since there were no half-tones. Then a sharp and a flat appeared, which immediately expanded the composer's capabilities. All this concerns the performing skills of musicians who adhere to the theoretical foundations in music. But there are many masters who play only by ear, they are not familiar with the theory of music, they do not need it. Such musicians include blues and country performers. A few memorized chords on the guitar or piano, and the rest completes the natural talent. Nevertheless, with terms that are directly related to their art, these musicians are familiar, but only superficially.
The emergence of musical terms
In order not to get confused in the styles and directions of music, various instruments and devices, musical terms were coined. Gradually, everything related to music got its name. And since music originated in Italy, almost all musical terms were adopted in Italian and in its transcription. Some song titles are written in French or Latin, depending on their origin. Italian musical terms reflect only the general picture and can be replaced in some cases by other names that are similar in meaning.
Italian origin
Music is an extensive layer of world culture that requires a serious systematic approach. Musical terms were approved at the level of the linguistic committees of leading European countries, including Italy, and thus received official status. The administrative support of musical institutions around the world is based on the use of terms in accordance with their application - for this, reference books and manuals have been created.
Known Terms
The most famous musical term is the "treble clef", everyone knows it. The meaning of the most popular names can hardly be overestimated, there is a kind of axiom in their spelling, the same thing happens when we hear a famous phrase. For example, the most musical term is, of course, "jazz." For many, it is associated with Negro rhythm and exotic variations.
Names and classification
It is impossible to unambiguously define the most famous musical term. This category includes the name "symphony", a synonym for classical music. When we hear this word, an orchestra appears on the stage, violins and cello, music stands with notes and a conductor in tailcoat. Musical concepts and terms help to comprehend what is happening in the concert hall and to better understand the essence of the work. The sophisticated audience attending concerts at the Philharmonic will never confuse the adagio with the Andante, as each term has its own definition.
Fundamental Terms in Music
Present to your attention the most famous musical terms. The list includes names such as:
- Arpeggio - alternating chord notes sequentially when sounds line up one after another.
- Aria - a vocal piece, part of the opera, performed with the accompaniment of an orchestra.
- Variations - an instrumental work or its fragments, performed with various complications.
- Gamma - the alternation of notes in a certain order, but without mixing, up or down to an octave repetition.
- Range - The interval between the lowest and highest sounds of an instrument or voice.
- Sound scale - sounds arranged in a row in height, similar to the scale. Sound order can be present in musical works or in their fragments.
- Cantata - a work for concert performance by an orchestra, soloists or choir.
- Pianoforte - an arrangement of a symphony or opera for interpretation on a piano or for singing accompanied by a piano.
- Opera is the most important musical genre combining drama and music, music and ballet.
- Prelude - an introduction to the main piece of music. It can be used as an independent form for a small work.
- Romance is a work for vocal performance with accompaniment. Differs in a romantic mood, melody.
- Rondo - a repetition of the main theme of the work with the inclusion of other related episodes between refrain.
- Symphony - a work performed by an orchestra in four parts. Based on the principles of the sonata form.
- Sonata is an instrumental work of complex shape from several parts, one of which dominates.
- Suite - a piece of music from several parts, different in content and contrasting with each other.
- Overture - introduction to the work, briefly revealing the main content. Orchestral overtures, as a rule, are an independent piece of music.
- Piano is the unifying name of instruments acting on the principle of hitting a hammer against a string by means of a key.
- Chromatic gamma - a gamma of halftones, is formed by filling in intermediate halftones of large seconds.
- Texture is a way of expressing music. The main types: piano, vocal, choral, orchestral and instrumental.
- Tonality is a characteristic of a fret in height. The key is distinguished by the key signs of alteration, which determine the composition of sounds.
- Third - a three-stage interval. Big third - two tones, small - one and a half tones.
- Solfeggio - classes on the principle of tutoring with the goal of becoming a musical ear and its further development.
- Scherzo is a musical sketch of a light, playful character. It may be included in a major musical work as an integral part thereof. It can also be an independent piece of music.
Musical term "allegro"
Separate receptions are widespread. An example is the musical term "allegro" (allegro) - "fast", "fun", "expressively". It immediately becomes clear that major expression is in the work. In addition, the musical term "allegro" refers to the unusual and sometimes festive nature of what is happening. The style that is characterized by this concept seems to be the most life-affirming. Only in rare cases does the musical term "allegro" mean a calm and measured development of a plot, performance or opera. But even in this case, the general tone of the work is cheerful and expressive.
Terms that define the style and genres of music
Names are divided into several categories. Pace, rhythm, or speed determines certain musical terms. List of designations:
- Adagio (adagio) - calmly, slowly.
- Agitato (adgitato) - excited, excited, impulsive.
- Andante (andante) - measuredly, slowly, thoughtfully.
- Appassionato (appassionato) - lively, with passion.
- Accelerando (accelerando) - increasing pace, accelerating.
- Calyando (calando) - with fading, reducing speed and reducing pressure.
- Cantabile - cantabile, chanting, with feeling.
- Con dolcherezza - softly, with tenderness.
- Con forza (con forza) - with force, assertively.
- Decrescendo (decrescendo) - gradually reducing the sound power.
- Dolce - gently, sweetly, gently.
- Doloroso (doloroso) - with sadness, plaintively, with despair.
- Forte (forte) - loudly, with force.
- Fortissimo - very strong and loud, thunderous.
- Largo (largo) - widely, freely, slowly.
- Legato (legato) - smoothly, calmly, serene.
- Lento - slowly, slowing down even more.
- Legiero (legiero) - easy, smooth, thoughtlessly.
- Maestoso (maestoso) - majestically, solemnly.
- Misterioso (misterioso) - quietly, mysteriously.
- Moderato (moderato) - moderately, with arrangement, slowly.
- Piano (piano) - quietly, quietly.
- Pianissimo (pianissimo) - very quiet, muffled.
- Presto (presto) - fast, intense.
- Sempre (sempre) - constantly, without changing.
- Spiritual (spirituozo) - spiritually, with feeling.
- Staccato (staccato) - abruptly.
- Vivace (vivace) - alive, soon, non-stop.
- Vivo (vivo) - the pace, the average between presto and allegro.
Technical Terminology
- Treble clef - a special icon affixed at the beginning of the musical scale, indicating that the note of the first octave “salt” is on the second line of the musical staff.
- Bass clef - an icon confirming the presence of the note "f" of the small octave on the fourth line of the musical staff.
- Bekar - an icon indicating the cancellation of the action of the signs "flat" and "sharp". It is a sign of alteration.
- Sharp is an icon that indicates a half-tone increase in sound. It is a sign of alteration.
- A flat is an icon indicating a decrease in sound by half a tone. It is a sign of alteration.
- Double sharp - an icon indicating a sound increase of two semitones, a whole tone. It is a sign of alteration.
- Double flat - an icon indicating a decrease in sound by two semitones, a whole tone. It is a sign of alteration.
- Impact is an incomplete measure that gives rise to a piece of music.
- Signs abbreviating musical writing serve to simplify musical writing in case of its vastness. The most common: tremolo, a sign of reprise, melismatic signs.
- Quintole is a form of five notes that replaces the usual group of four notes, the designation is the number 5, below or above the notes.
- Key - an icon indicating the place of sound recording on the musical scale in relation to other sounds.
- Key characters are alteration icons next to the key.
- Note - an icon affixed to one of the lines of a musical staff or between them, indicating the pitch and duration of the sound.
- Note mill - five parallel lines for placing notes. The arrangement of musical notes is from the bottom up.
- Score - musical notation, separate for each participant in the performance of a work, taking into account the compatibility of voices and instruments.
- Reprise is an icon indicating the repetition of any part of a work. Repeating a fragment with some changes.
- A step is a designation of the arrangement of fret sounds, indicated by Roman numerals.
Music terms for all time
Musical terminology is the foundation of modern performing art. It is impossible to write notes without terms, and without notes a professional musician or singer will not be able to play or sing. The terms are academic - do not change over time and do not recede into the past. Invented more than three hundred years ago, they are still relevant.