Glossary

Tablature/Tab.
A method of notating lute or guitar music using symbols and numbers rather than conventional music notation
Tacet
Latin term meaning 'silent', and indicating that a performer should not play during a particular section or movement
Tango
A fairly slow dance with syncopated rhythms, originating in Argentina
Tarantella
A very fast Italian dance in 6/8 time with alternating major and minor sections
Temperament
The system of tuning fixed-note instruments such as the piano and organ. In the past, unequal temperaments were used so that instruments only sounded 'in tune' incertain keys, but nowadays Equal Temperament is used so that the interval between each successive semitone is exactly the same (i.e. all keys can be used equally well)
Tempo
Italian for the speed or pace at which a particular piece of music is performed
Tenor
The highest male voice other than Countertenor (which uses falsetto rather than the "natural" range of the voice)
Tenor Clef
A particular case, where the 'C' clef is used on the fourth line of the stave. (See also 'Clef')
Tenuto/Ten.
Italian for 'held', where a note should be 'held on to' slightly longer than normal
Ternary Form
A structure in music of the form A, B, A - where the first section (A) is repeated (or closely imitated) after a contrasting central section (B)
Theme
A melody or group of notes forming the basis of a piece of music. See also 'Subject'
Thorough Bass
See 'Basso Continuo'
Tie
A slightly curved line joining two notes, indicating that they should be played continuously as one note, even though they may be in different bars
Tierce de Picardie
The use of a major chord at the very end of a piece of music which is otherwise in a minor key
Time Signature
The combination of figures at the beginning of a section or piece of music, indicating how many beats there are in a bar, and how each beat is notated (e.g. 2/4, 4/4, 5/8, 3/2 etc.). The symbols C and a C with a vertical line through it are also used, to indicate 4/4 and 2/2 time respectively
Toccata
A solo instrumental piece involving rapidly changing series of notes, to demonstrate the performer's skill. Often followed by a Fugue
Tonality
The use of a single key at any one time within a piece of music. See also 'Polytonal' and 'Atonal'
Tone
The interval of two semitones (such as between A and B). Also the sound quality of a particular instrument
Tone Cluster
See 'Note Cluster'
Tone Poem
See 'Programme Music'
Tone Row
See 'Note Row'
Tonic
The basis or first degree of a given scale. Also the triad built on that note
Tranquillo
Italian for 'calm'
Transition
A short 'bridge' or linking-passage, joining two major sections of music (such as the Exposition and the Development in a piece in Sonata Form, for instance)
Transposing Instrument
An instrument which produces notes which sound different from the notes which are written. Their music is deliberately written in different keys from other, non-transposing instruments, to compensate for this
Transposition
The writing or performance of a piece of music in a key other than that in which it was originally written
Treble
The high voice of a young boy whose voice has not yet broken. See also 'Clef'
Tremolo
Playing the same note repeatedly very fast (as when a string player moves their bow very quickly on a single note in a 'vibrating' style)
Trepak
A lively Cossack dance in 2/4 time
Triad
A chord made up of three notes, all within a particular scale
Trill
A type of Ornament consisting of two rapidly alternating notes
Trio
A piece of music written for three performers, or the group of performers itself. Also the partner to a Minuet in the third movement 'Minuet and Trio' of a Classical Symphony
Trio Sonata
A piece of music usually written for two violins and a cello with keyboard accompaniment, popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries
Triple Time
A time signature where there are three beats in a bar (e.g. 3/4, 3/2, 3/8 etc.)
Triple-Tonguing
The technique when playing a wind instrument of articulating the patter "T-K-T" whilst playing, to get a set of three very distinct notes
Triplet
A group of three notes performed in the time usually occupied by two
Tuning
Setting an instrument so that it produces the correct notes when played, not too high or too low in pitch
Turn
A type of Ornament in which the main note is preceded by the note above it and followed by the note below it, then the main note itself repeated
Tutti
Italian for 'all', meaning that all the instruments or players indicated should play. Can also refer to a section in a Concerto where the orchestra plays without the soloist
Twelve-Note
See 'Serial Music'
Twelve-Tone
See 'Serial Music'