Glossary of Musical Terms

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a capella

solo or group singing without accompaniment

accelerando

An increase in tempo

accent

Stress on a beat, to make it stand out from others in the measure or phrase

accompaniment

Music that is played along with the main theme or voice

adagio

Slowly

allegro

Lively

alto

Normally the lowest female voice, also sometimes sung by high tenors or young boys

andante

Moderately slow

arpeggio

The notes of a chord played in succession, rather than together

atonal

Having no specific key