dipthong
two vowel sounds on the same syllable
fermata
cessation of rhythm
focal plane
imaginary plane where all icti fall, roughly chest-high
focal point conducting
a conducting style where all icti land on the same point
GoS
gesture used to control a response after the beat instead of on the beat
ictus
precise instant of the rhythmic pulse
mirror conducting
having left hand conduct exactly like the right hand
music
organized sound over time with intent
prep beat
preparatory beat that coincides with the breath of the performers and should indicate tempo, dynamic, style, etc. (do not confuse with an upbeat)
strata
work load divisions in the score
synergy
2 + 2 = 5; the total is greater than the sum of the parts; combined action or operation; goal of conductors
takt
the steady reiteration of beat points
transposition
process of writing music in a key or octave other than that of the actual sound of the instrument
why do we need a baton?
because the baton creates a focus of attention
why do we need a podium?
because the podium makes the conductor the ultimate center of attention and is the workplace of the conductor?
why do we need to wear dark clothing?
because the white stick shows better to the performers
why do we need a left hand?
because the left hand can give cues, mold lines, shape dynamics, and display intensity as well as mirror
why do we need a score?
because it is a direct line to the composer in study, and a reference tool in rehearsal and performance
why do we need to always be so on-time that we are early?
because a conductor sets and example in every way to the performers as musician and teacher and a conductor must have time to deal with any and all situations that may arise and affect the rehearsal and/or performance
why do we need to seek to create synergy?
because the experience of performing with other people to create a musical performance that goes beyond the level of the players is a most important lesson, no matter what field your students/performers may pursue in life
colla parte
with the other part; often refers to accommodating the soloist at that place in the score
come prima
like the first time
come sta
exactly as written; do not change anything
con
with; seen in other forms a a contraction (col, coi, colle, cogli, colla etc.)
en dehors
out in front of; means the part should be projected through the ensemble; must be heard
l’istesso; lo stesso
the same; used usually with the word “tempo” meaning that the new part should be in the same tempo as the preceding part
maestro
conductor, teacher
marcato
marked, accented
meno
less
mezzo
half; usually mezza voce – softly, as if whispered
modo
style, manner
molto
very much
ossia
otherwise; often refers to a simplified part – otherwise do it so
petit
little
peu
a little
piacere, a piacere
at pleasure
piu
more; most often seen with mosso, meaning more motion, slightly quicken the tempo. also, plus
ripieno
similar to tutti, it distinguishes the accompanying instruments from the soloist
ruhig
tranquil
sans
without
schnell
quick, rapid, presto
scordatura
tuning contrary to the normal, addressed to the strings
sec, secco
dry, very short, no after-ring
segue
follow, continue in the same manner
senza tempo
without tempo, slightly freer
sim.
similar; continue articulation or style indicated in previous measure
smorzando
suddenly dying away
sotto voce
in an undertone, soft voice
stentato
labored
strepitoso
noisily
subito
suddenly; usually with a piano marking
troppo
too much
tutti
the whole ensemble, everybody
unisoni
in unison; as violini unisoni: all violins in unison
voci pari
equal voices
accelerando
gradually increasing the tempo
ad libitum
at liberty; take time, permit liberties here
affrenttando
excitedly, increasing the tempo
agogic
a general classification for modifying of the tempo in favor of the expression
etwas langsamer
somewhat slower
im takt
in tempo
massig
moderato
pressando
hurrying, pressing forward
rubato
varying the note values within the rhythm, not strictly as written
stretto
condensing, accelerating the tempo (do not confuse with the stretto of the fugue form, which is only a condensing of the distance between subject and answer)
stringendo
accelerating the tempo
tacet
silent; usually means the particular instrument does not play in that movement of the work
takt
the time, the measure, rhythmically; sometimes, an accenting of the first beat in the measure
tempo rubato
not strictly on the beat
zuruckhalten
ritard
sempre
always, continuously
con fuoco
with fire
ritenuto
held back, slowed dow; usually a more sudden reduction in tempo than called for by ritard and rallentando
ritardando
slowing down gradually; also indicated by rallentando
da capo
from the beginning and hence an indication that a piece is to be repeated beginning at the place marked with the sign
dal segno
from the sign, and hence an indication that a piece is to be repeated beginning at the place marked with the sign
fine
the end
a tempo, tempo primo, tempo I
an instruction to return to the original tempo after some temporary departure
lebhaft
lively, vivace
assez
sufficiently, rather, e.g. assez vite: rather fast
con brio
brioso, with vivacity, spirited
largamente
broadly
mit
with
doppio movimento
double, twice as fast
stretto (fugue)
1. in a fugue, the imitative treatment of the subject at a shorter interval of time than is employed in the initial exposition.
2. in nominative works, a climactic, concluding section in a faster tempo; often stretta
trattenuto
held back, ritardando
attacca, attacca subito
attack, attack immediately; when placed at the end of one movement, an instruction to begin the next movement immediately without customary pause
divisi
divided; an indication in ensemble music that a group of players normally playing the same part are to be divided so as to sing or play different parts sometimes notated on the same staff
tenuto
held, sustained. in the 18th century notes so marked were to be held to their full value rather than detached somewhat, as was the norm. In music of the 19th century and since, the term may call for a delay of the beat following. It may be indicated by a short horizontal stroke over or under the note
calando
decreasing in loudness and also in tempo
dolce
1. sweet; usually also soft; dolcemente, sweetly softly; dolcissimo, extremely sweet, soft.
2. an organ stop of soft tone with narrow-scaled open flue pipes, in the late 19th century American organs
dolente
sad
espressivo
expressive, with expression
giocoso
jocose, humorous
lento, lentamente
slow; lentissimo, extremely slow
piacevole
pleasing, agreeable
al niente
almost nothing
parlando
speechlike; also parlante. the term is used principally with respect to singing, but sometimes also with respect to instrumental music
a due
to be played by both, as by first and second flute
erstes mal
the first time
etouffe
dampened
etwas
somewhat
forte possible
as loud as possible
frappe, frapper
the downbeat; to beat time
gleich; gleichlich
quick, quickly
glissez; glisser
slide; to slide
herausgegeben
edited
immer
always
kapellmeister
the conductor
laisser vibrer; lasciare vibrare
let it ring or vibrate
morendo
dying away
moto
motion
ohne
without; usually ohno Dampfer
opus posthumum
work published after the death of the composer
pult
desk; a music stand; usually refers to number of stands that are to play the part
schiolto
fluently
sehr
very
senza
without; usually senza sordini (without mutes)
stimme
a single voice or part in the score
stimme
a single voice or part in the score
striciando, striciato
legato motion; smooth
virgula
old terminology for the baton
a punto
exactly in rhythm
langsam, langsamer
slow, slower
taglio
a cut
tempo perdito
unsteady tempo
tempo reggiato
regulate the tempo, usually to accommodate the soloist
five basic elements of a successful preparatory gesture
tempo, dynamics, style (including articulation), when the group begins, and who begins
cues are made to:
1) to make elements of the piece musically significant
2) to help instruments make difficult entrances
3) to bring in instruments that have not been playing for a while
cues should
1) always include eye contact well before the actual cue and a visible breath
2) be inviting
3) be clear to the entire ensemble
4) have variety but be used sparingly
5) be consistent from the conductor throughout rehearsals and the concert
6) not get in the way of the music, but be as musically appropriate as possible