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Definitions
General Musical Terms
Cute Dog Music
"It's tail-waggin' good!"
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Here are some general
musical definitions I ran across I thought might be helpful. \
These are adapted from the New Harvard Dictionary of Music. --
- Binary form -
"A movement in binary form contains two parts, each usually
repeated." There are more characteristics in classical music, but I'm not sure how
many apply and how they apply to folk music. However, duple meter, in
the terms of folk music and fiddle tunes, especially, is usually denoted by
"AABB" - two parts, hence binary, where each part is usually
repeated.
- Duple Meter -
A meter where the basic unit of pulse of the music recurs in groups of 2 (cut
time or 2/2, 2/4, 4/4). Duple meter is usually associated with Reels or Marches.
- Triple Meter -
A meter where the basic unit of pulse of the music recurs in groups of 3 (3/2,
3/4, 3/8). Triple meter is usually associated with Waltzes and Airs.
- Compound Meter -
A meter where the basic unit of pulse is subdivided into groups of 3 (e.g. a
fast 6/8, fast 9/8, 12/8, etc.). Compound meter is usually associated with Jigs (Single-, Double- and
Slip-Jigs), and some Scottish Marches (in 6/8).
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These are not adapted from the New Harvard Dictionary of Music. --
A.M.I.S. (Acquired Musical Instrument Syndrome) -
Acquired Musical Instrument Syndrome is a condition which is
manifested primarily by an overwhelmingly strong desire (some
unacquainted with those affected with the syndrome might call it an obsession) to buy
musical instruments, new or used, regardless of how many
instruments the affected person already owns.
This condition strikes all ages,
races, sexes, and religious and political affiliations. One of the
most commonly known and directly related causes of A.M.I.S. is a
staff infection. Once a person is infected with staves, the onset
of A.M.I.S. is usually imminent.
The syndrome may first appear at any time in a person's life. In all
reported cases, once the syndrome appears, it is terminal, i.e., the
person remains affected until their death. There is no known
cure (though, why would the affected person want a cure?).
However, since one does die with the syndrome, it also has
the unexpected effect of causing the affected person to live longer,
since they play all those instruments, and, as Oliver Wendell Holmes
said, "We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old
because we quit playing."
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Glossary of Italian terms used in O'Sullivan's Carolan book. --
- Adagio - Slow, leisurely.
- Allegretto - Moderately fast, cheerful.
- Allegro - Fast, cheerful.
- Allegro ma non troppo - Fast, but not too fast (or too much).
- Allegro vivace- Fast and lively.
- assai- very or enough.
- Andante - Moderately slow, walking.
- Andante con moto - Moderately slow, walking, with motion.
- Andantino - Slightly faster than Andante.
- Animato - Animated, with the implication of fast tempo.
- Commodo - Comfortable, easy.
- Con anima - With soul.
- Con brio - With vivacity, spirited.
- Con fuoco - With fire.
- Con spirito - With spirit.
- Espressivo - Expressive.
- Giocoso - Humorous.
- Grazioso - Graceful.
- Joviale - Jovial.
- Larghetto - Slightly less slow than Largo (the slowest tempo).
- Largo - Broad.
- Maestoso - Majestic.
- Moderato - Moderate.
- Moderato ma con anima - Moderate, but with soul.
- Molto moderato - Very moderate.
- Più mosso - More moved, more agitated. (Marks a change in tempo.)
- Poco Andante - A little slow.
- Risoluto - Resolute, energetic.
- Scherzando - Playful.
- Tempo di marcia - March tempo.
- Vivace - Quick, lively, brisk.
- Vivace ma non troppo - Quick, lively, brisk, but not too much.
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