GRADE 4 MUSIC VOCABULARY
Dynamics – the different levels of loudness and softness of sound.
pianissimo (pp) – very soft
piano (p) – soft
mezzo piano (mp) – medium soft,
mezzo forte (mf) – medium loud
forte (f) – loud
fortissimo (ff) – very loud
decrescendo – getting softer
crescendo – getting louder
Note value –
whole note – 4 beats (say ta-aa-aa-ah)
half note – 2 beats (say ta-ah
quarter note – 1 beat (say tah)
quarter rest – 1 beat (say sh)
pair eighth notes - 1/2 + ½ beat (say ti-ti)
Call and Response: a part of the song where a portion of the melody (call) is followed by an answering portion (response)
Timbre: the unique difference of sounds in voices or instruments
Tempo: the speed of the beat
Melody: a line of single notes that move upward, downward or repeat.
Harmony: two or more notes sounding at the same time
Texture: layering sounds to create thin or thick quality in music
Rhythm pattern: a grouping of long and short sounds (for example: in clapping the rhythm of the words you clap with
each syllable you sing)
Steady beat: a regular pulse
Ostinato: short repeated pattern
Verse: the section of the song where the melody stays the same, but the words change (tells the story)
Refrain: the section of the song that is sung the same way every time it repeats