Music Glossary: Orchestration and Notation category

Indication that two players share a single written line in unison. more

Increased emphasis on attack; common marks: >, (marcato), sfz for dynamic accent. more

Sharp, flat, or natural sign altering pitch from the key signature; typically lasts for the measure. more

Call-and-response between sections/spaces to create spatial contrast and dialogue. more

Notation for note shaping (staccato, legato, accents, tenuto) affecting attack/length. more

Relative loudness among parts so primary lines project while accompaniment supports. more

How well timbres fuse into a homogeneous sound; influenced by register, dynamics, vibrato. more

A comma-like mark indicating a place for wind/voice to breathe without altering pulse. more

Staff reference symbols setting where specific pitches fall; chosen for range/legibility. more

Guide metronome delivered to performers/engineer to maintain synchronization. more

Tight chord spacing within an octave; cohesive color but can muddy in low register. more

Striking strings with the wood of the bow for percussive timbre (battuto) or bowing with wood (tratto). more

Actual sounding pitch; used as reference for non-transposing instruments and analysis. more

Gradual increase/decrease in loudness; notated with hairpins (< >) or text. more

Small-sized notations of other parts added to a player’s part to aid entries after rests. more

Strings/section divide a part across players (div.); opposite of a2/unis. more

Assigning the same line to multiple instruments for strength, blend, or color fusion. more

Volume indications from ppp to fff and hairpins; relative in context and room. more

Equivalently sounding notes with different spellings (e.g., G♯ = A♭) depending on harmonic context. more

Wind articulation using rolled R or throat flutter; produces growling, buzzy color. more

Continuous slide between pitches (strings, trombone, harp pedals); notational diagonal line or text. more

Overtone tones produced by lightly touching nodes (strings/winds); ethereal color and reduced volume. more

The specific combination of instruments used in a work or movement. more

Set of sharps/flats at the staff start indicating the diatonic collection of a movement. more

Common staff configurations for unpitched/multi-percussion setups (1-line/2-line). more

A strong, marked accent (ˆ) combining emphasis with separation. more

A tempo change derived from a prior subdivision/equivalence, creating a precise new tempo. more