B
b (Ger) - b flat; in German b natural is called h
bass – lowest of four voice ranges, soprano, alto, tenor; lowest melodic line
basso continuo – continuous bass line in baroque period
beat – one single stroke of a rhythmic accent
ben, bene – well; ben marcato – well marked
bis (Lat) – twice
bravura – boldness ( con bravura)
bridge – transitional passage
brillante – with sparkle
brio – vigour (con brio)
brioso – vigorously
broken chord – notes of chord played in consistent sequence
C
cadenza – solo section of piano or other concerto to display virtuosity
calando – getting slower and softer
cantabile, cantando – in a singing style
cédez (Fr) – give way
caesura, cesura – break in sound
coda – closing section of movement
codetta – closing section of part of a movement
colla voce – pianist follows the singer
coloratura – soprano singing elaborate melody
come prima – like the first time
common time – 4/4or C - four crotchet beats in a bar
comodo – comfortable (tempo comodo)
con, col, colla – with
con amore – with love
con affetto – with emotion
con brio – with vigour
con dolore – with sadness
con (gran, molto) espressione – with (great, much) expression
con fuoco – in a fiery manner
con larghezza – broadly
con sordino – without sustaining pedal
crescendo – getting louder
D
da capo – go back to the beginning
dal segno – return to place in music designated, then continue to end of piece
decrescendo – get softer
delicatamente – delicately