Chromatic half step Ahalf step using the same letter names, but with different accidentals; for example, A
(natural)–A#or Bb–B (natural).
Chromatic scale Ascale consisting only of half steps.
Circle of Fifths Shows the 15 major and 15 minor keys with their increasing number of sharps or flats. The
keys move by perfect fifths (the major keys moving from CM and the minor keys moving from Am) with the
sharp keys clockwise to the right, and the flat keys counter clockwise to the left.
Clef Asign placed at the beginning of a staff that names particular pitches: F, G, or C.
Coda It. “Tail”: an extended ending.
Common time The time signature C or 4/4 time; simple quadruple meter with the quarter note as the pulse
note.
Compound interval An interval larger than an octave.
Consequent phrase The second half of a period following an antecedent phrase which ends on the tonic chord,
usually with an authentic cadence.
Consonance In Western tonal music, consonant intervals are P1, M3, m3, P4, P5, M6, m6, P8. (See Dissonance.)
Crescendo ( or cresc.) Adynamic marking meaning to become gradually louder.
Cut time (see Alla breve)
D.C. al Fine It. “Da Capo”(“to the head”) directs the musician to return to the beginning and repeat, ending
at the word Fine(the end).
D.S. al Fine It. “Dal Segno”(“to the sign”) directs the musician to return to the sign ( ) and repeat, ending at
the word Fine(the end).
Deceptive cadence Amomentary and unexpected ending to a section of music where the dominant goes to the
submediant (for example, V to VI in a minor key) instead of to the tonic (for example, V to I in a major key).
Decrescendo (Decres.or ) A dynamic marking meaning to grow softer. Same as diminuendo.
Diatonic Different consecutive letter names for pitches, for example A–B.
Diatonic half step Ahalf step using different consecutive letter names; for example, B–C or A#–B. (See
Chromatic half step.)
Diminished interval The perfect interval or minor interval decreased in size by a half step. For example, a
perfect fourth (P4) is C–F; a diminished fourth (dim4) is C–Fb.
Diminuendo (Dim.) Adynamic marking meaning to become gradually softer. Same as decrescendo.
Dissonant interval In Western tonal music, dissonant intervals are the augmented and diminished intervals,
M2, m2, M7, and m7.
Dominant The fifth note (or chord) of a major or minor scale.
Dominant seventh chord The quality of seventh chord built on the fifth note (dominant) of a major scale or
the harmonic minor scale; consists of a major triad and a minor seventh from the lowest note to the highest
note.
Double bar line Two vertical lines on a staff or staves used to indicate the end of a section of music.
Double flat sign An accidental ( ) that lowers a note a whole step.
Double sharp sign An accidental ( ) that raises a note a whole step.
Downbeat The first beat of a measure, named for the conductor’s downward motion used to indicate the first
beat.
Duple meter The recurring pattern of beats: a strong beat followed by a weak beat. For example, music written
in 2/4, 2/2, and 6/8.
Duplet Subdivision of a note, which would normally subdivide into three equal parts, into two equal parts.
Dynamics The volume (loudness or softness) of a sound. Signs or words such as p(pianoin Italian), for soft,
are used to indicate dynamics.
Enharmonic Different names for the same pitch; for example, F#and Gb.
Fermata Asign ( ) placed above or below a note indicating to hold that note longer than its normal rhythmic
value.
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