Essential Music Theory Terms Every Beginner Should Know
Music Theory Terms for the Beginner. Examples are: fortissimo, time signature, etc.
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Questions Covered in This Set
6 cards to master
What is a time signature?
A symbol at the beginning of a piece of music that indicates how many beats are in each measure and which note value represents one beat
What does 'fortissimo' mean in music?
Very loud - typically indicated by the symbol 'ff' in musical notation
What is the difference between major and minor scales?
Major scales have a bright, happy sound with a specific pattern of whole and half steps, while minor scales have a darker, sadder sound with a different pattern
What is a chord progression?
A sequence of chords played in a specific order, forming the harmonic foundation of a song
What does 'legato' mean in music?
Playing notes smoothly and connected, without breaks between them
What is the purpose of a key signature?
To indicate which notes should be consistently played as sharp or flat throughout a piece of music