Allegro ~ A direction to play lively and fast.
Using the word “Allegro” in a sentence ~ When playing this piece of music, please play this section allegro..
In class when we dance to “Run, Run!” the name of our mouse puppet is Allegro! It’s no coincidence – this is a great way for children to associate and remember that the word “allegro” means to play livelier and at a faster tempo.
Music Rhapsody ~ Music Makes Everyone Happy ~ www.musicrhapsody.com ~ 310.376.8646
Tremolo ~ the rapid reiteration of a musical tone or of alternating tones to produce a tremulous effect.
Using the word “Tremolo” in a sentence ~ In playing the violin or cello, the rapid repetition of a single note produced by a quick back-and-forth movement of the bow can be considered a good example of tremolo.
When it’s time to sing “Five Little Monkeys” in class, our younger kids love the part when Mister Crocodile comes along because they get to pat on their legs as fast as they can. The older kids who are using the Orff instruments enjoy it because they get to alternate quickly between any two notes of their choosing. Fun stuff!
Music Rhapsody ~ Music Makes Everyone Happy ~ www.musicrhapsody.com ~ 310.376.8646
Glissando ~ Italian term for “sliding” between notes; a continuous sliding movement through a series of musical pitches.
Using the word “Glissando” in a sentence ~ The children at Music Rhapsody created a glissando effect in class today by running the tips of their mallets rapidly along the xylophone bars, instead of striking each bar separately.
Music Rhapsody ~ Music Makes Everyone Happy ~ www.musicrhapsody.com ~ 310.376.8646
Fermata ~ To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.
Using the word “Fermata” in a sentence ~ The organ performer was taught to stop playing at a fermata mark until the reverberation was almost gone before continuing to play.
All of our Music Rhapsody kids love the song Silly Sam from Kids Make Music, Babies Make Music Too! Just like Silly Sam gets to decide how long to hide behind the rock, the ‘conductor’ of the song gets to decide also! This is a simple and effective way to demonstrate the meaning of the word “fermata” while also giving the children a chance to have control over the song by allowing them to decide just how long to wait before that sneaky snake Silly Sam comes out and shakes his tail!
Music Rhapsody ~ Music Makes Everyone Happy ~ www.musicrhapsody.com ~ 310.376.8646
Ostinato ~ a short repeated rhythmic or melodic pattern.
Using the word “Ostinato” in a sentence ~ Our 4-6 year old classes enjoyed making up a rhythmic pattern and repeating it over and over to play ostinatos during our Tideo instrumental section.
The children have learned many Italian words this school year since music vocabulary is almost all in Italian. They can musically demonstrate these other words frequently used in class as a part of our games, stories, dances or even names of puppets! Adagio, Allegro, Glissando, Tremelo, Piano, Forte, Accent, Crescendo.
