📚 Year 9 WJEC Music: Glossary of Key Terms | 词汇术语速记指南
Music is a language of its own, and just like learning French or Welsh, you need to master the vocabulary to describe what you hear, perform, and compose. In Year 9 WJEC Music, you will encounter Italian terms, structural labels, and expressive directions that form the foundation for GCSE and beyond. This guide brings together the essential terminology in one place, with clear explanations and memory hooks to help you retain them. Whether you are preparing for a listening test, analyzing a set work, or writing programme notes, these terms will sharpen your musical literacy.
音乐本身就是一种语言，就像学习法语或威尔士语一样，你需要掌握词汇来描述你所听到、演奏和创作的音乐。在 Year 9 的 WJEC 音乐课程中，你会遇到大量意大利文术语、曲式标识和表情记号，这些都会为 GCSE 乃至更高阶段打下基础。这份指南将必学术语集中在了一起，配有清晰的解释和记忆钩子，帮你牢牢记住它们。无论你是在准备听力考试、分析规定作品，还是撰写乐曲解说，这些术语都能提升你的音乐素养。
1. Dynamics: From Whisper to Roar | 力度：从耳语到咆哮
Dynamics describe the volume of the music. The most common Italian terms include pianissimo (pp) — very soft; piano (p) — soft; mezzo piano (mp) — moderately soft; mezzo forte (mf) — moderately loud; forte (f) — loud; and fortissimo (ff) — very loud. Changes in dynamics can be sudden (subito) or gradual. A gradual increase in volume is called a crescendo (cresc.) and a gradual decrease is a diminuendo (dim.) or decrescendo. Remember that 'piano' literally means soft, not quiet as in lacking noise, and 'forte' means strong.
力度描述的是音量的大小。最常见的意大利术语包括：pianissimo (pp)——极弱；piano (p)——弱；mezzo piano (mp)——中弱；mezzo forte (mf)——中强；forte (f)——强；fortissimo (ff)——极强。力度的变化可以是突然的（subito）也可以是渐进的。音量逐渐增强叫做crescendo (cresc.)，逐渐减弱叫做diminuendo (dim.)或decrescendo。记住，'piano'的字面意思是轻柔，而不是没有噪音的安静；'forte'意思是有力的。
2. Tempo: The Pulse of the Music | 速度：音乐的脉搏
Tempo marks tell the performer how fast or slow the music should feel. At the slowest end, you have lento and largo (broad and slow), then adagio (slow, but with a sense of ease), andante (a walking pace), moderato (moderate speed), allegro (fast and cheerful), vivace (lively and brisk), and presto (very fast). Composers often use accelerando (accel.) to speed up and rallentando (rall.) or ritardando (rit.) to slow down. A rubato allows expressive freedom by slightly speeding up and slowing down for emotional effect. A useful memory trick: 'andante' comes from the Italian verb 'andare' – to walk.
速度标记告诉演奏者乐曲应该感到多快或多慢。最慢的一侧有lento和largo（宽广而缓慢），然后是adagio（慢而从容），andante（行走的速度），moderato（中速），allegro（快且愉快），vivace（活泼而轻快），最后是presto（非常快）。作曲家常用accelerando (accel.)来渐快，用rallentando (rall.)或ritardando (rit.)来渐慢。rubato则允许演奏者通过微妙的加速和减速来表达情感。一个有用的记忆窍门：'andante'来源于意大利动词'andare'——走路。
3. Articulation: Shaping Each Note | 演奏法：雕琢每一个音
Articulation tells you how individual notes should be played and connected. Legato means smoothly, with notes flowing into one another; think of it as 'glued' together. Staccato means short and detached – notes are played with a crisp separation, indicated by a dot above or below the note head. Tenuto directs the performer to hold the note for its full value, often with a slight emphasis. Accents (> or ^) indicate a strong attack on a particular note. Marcato is even more marked and heavy. Sforzando (sfz) means a sudden, strong accent on a single note or chord. In vocal and string music, a slur shows that a group of notes should be sung to one syllable or played with one bow stroke.
演奏法告诉你每个音应该如何被演奏和连接。Legato表示圆滑地演奏，音符一个接一个地流动；可以想象它们被牢牢地粘在一起。Staccato意为短促而断开——音符要干净利落地断开，用音符上方或下方的圆点标示。Tenuto要求演奏者将音符时值奏满，并通常带有轻微的强调。重音记号（> 或 ^）表示对某个特定音符的强力击奏。Marcato是更突出、更有分量的重音。Sforzando (sfz)意指某个单音或和弦上的突强重音。在声乐和弦乐作品中，连音线表示一组音符应唱同一个音节或用一弓演奏。
4. Texture: Layers of Sound | 织体：声音的层次
Texture describes how many musical lines are heard and how they relate to each other. Monophonic texture has a single melody line with no accompaniment – like a solo voice or a unison chant. Homophonic texture features a main melody supported by chords; this is the most common texture in pop songs and hymns. Polyphonic texture consists of two or more independent melodies woven together, such as a round or a fugue. When a melody is passed between parts in quick succession, it creates imitative texture. Heterophonic texture occurs when two or more voices simultaneously vary the same melody, which is common in some folk traditions. A melody and accompaniment texture is a subset of homophony where the tune sits clearly above a chordal or rhythmic backdrop.
织体描述的是音乐中同时存在多少条旋律线，以及它们之间的相互关系。单音织体只有单独一条旋律线，没有伴奏——例如独唱或齐唱素歌。主调织体以一条主旋律配以和弦支撑为特征；这是流行歌曲和赞美诗中最常见的织体。复调织体由两条或更多独立旋律相互交织而成，如轮唱曲或赋格。当一条旋律在不同声部间快速地依次传递时，就形成了模仿织体。支声织体出现在两个或更多声部同时变奏同一旋律时，常见于某些民间音乐中。旋律加伴奏织体是主调织体的一种，旋律线清晰地漂浮在和声或节奏背景之上。
5. Structure: The Architecture of a Piece | 曲式结构：作品的建筑骨架
Understanding structure helps you follow the musical journey. Binary form (AB) consists of two distinct sections, usually each repeated. Ternary form (ABA) has a contrasting middle section that returns to the opening material. Rondo form (ABACA) repeatedly returns to a principal theme (A) between contrasting episodes. Theme and variations presents a melody followed by altered versions where the composer changes rhythm, harmony, or instrumentation. Strophic form uses the same music for each verse of a song, very common in hymns. Through-composed is the opposite: new music appears for each stanza, giving the piece a continuous, unfolding shape. In pop music, you will often hear verse-chorus form interleaving storytelling verses with a catchy repetitive chorus.
理解曲式能帮你跟随音乐的叙事。二段体（AB）由两个不同的乐段组成，通常各自反复。三段体（ABA）有一个对比性的中段，然后再回到开头的材料。回旋曲式（ABACA）在不同的插部之间不断回到主部主题（A）。主题与变奏先呈现一条旋律，随后以改变节奏、和声或配器的方式出现各种变体。分节歌形式指每段歌词配以相同的音乐，常见于赞美诗。通谱体则恰恰相反：每一节歌词都配上新的音乐，使作品呈现出不断向前展开的形态。在流行音乐中，你常会听到主歌-副歌形式，叙事性的主歌与朗朗上口、反复出现的副歌交替进行。
6. Melody and Pitch: Tunes and Intervals | 旋律与音高：曲调与音程
A melody can move by step (conjunct) or by leap (disjunct). The distance between two notes is called an interval. Small intervals like a semitone or tone create tension and colour, while larger leaps can sound dramatic. Sequence is the repetition of a melodic pattern at a higher or lower pitch. Ostinato is a persistently repeated musical phrase, often in the bass (basso ostinato or ground bass). Motif is the shortest identifiable musical idea, which can be developed throughout a piece. Phrase is a natural musical sentence, often balanced in a question-and-answer pattern called antecedent and consequent. A riff is a catchy repeated phrase typical in pop, rock, and jazz.
旋律可以以级进（conjunct）或跳进（disjunct）的方式运动。两个音之间的距离叫做音程。半音或全音这样的小音程创造出色彩和紧张感，而更大的跳进则可能听上去富有戏剧性。模进是将一个旋律型在更高或更低的音高上重复。固定音型是一个持续重复的音乐片段，常出现在低音声部（basso ostinato 或固定低音）。动机是能够被辨认的最短音乐念头，可以在整个作品中发展。乐句是一个自然的音乐句子，常以问答式的前句与后句结构平衡。在流行、摇滚和爵士乐中，riff 指的是一个令人印象深刻、不断重复的短句。
7. Harmony and Tonality: The Vertical Dimension | 和声与调性：纵向的维度
Harmony is the sound of notes sounding together. A piece can be in a major key (often bright and happy) or a minor key (often darker and sadder). Atonal music lacks a clear key centre. The three primary chords in any key are the tonic (I), subdominant (IV), and dominant (V). A cadence is the progression of chords at the end of a phrase: a perfect cadence (V-I) sounds complete and final; a plagal cadence (IV-I) is the 'Amen' ending; an imperfect cadence ends on V and feels unfinished; an interrupted cadence (V-vi) surprises the listener. Modulation is the process of changing key within a piece, often to the dominant or relative major/minor.
和声是指多个音符同时发声的效果。一首作品可以是大调（常显得明亮愉悦），也可以是小调（常显得深邃忧伤）。无调性音乐则缺少明确的调中心。在任何调式中，三个基本和弦是主和弦 (I)、下属和弦 (IV) 和属和弦 (V)。终止式是乐句末尾的和弦进行：正格终止 (V-I)听起来完满且终结；变格终止 (IV-I)就是'阿门'式的结尾；半终止停在V级上，感觉未完成；阻碍终止 (V-vi)则会带来意外感。转调是指在乐曲中改变调性的过程，常常转到属调或关系大小调。
8. Ornaments and Expressive Techniques | 装饰音与表现技巧
Ornaments add flair to a melody. A trill is a rapid alternation between the written note and the one above. A mordent is a quick single alternation with the note above (upper mordent) or below (lower mordent). An appoggiatura is a leaning note that takes half the value of the main note and creates a slight dissonance; an acciaccatura is a crushed grace note played very quickly. A turn is a four-note pattern that goes above, returns to the main note, goes below, and returns. Glissando is a rapid slide across a range of notes. On string instruments, pizzicato means plucking the strings, while arco means using the bow. Tremolo is a very rapid repetition of a single note or alternation between two notes.
装饰音为旋律增添华彩。颤音是写在谱上的音符与上方音之间的快速交替。波音是与上方音（上波音）或下方音（下波音）的一次快速交替。倚音是一个依附音，占据本音一半的时值，产生轻微的不协和音响；碎音则是尽可能快地奏出的一个装饰短音。回音是一个四音组合：先上行，回到主干音，再下行，然后返回。滑奏是跨越一连串音符的快速滑动。在弦乐器上，pizzicato 指拨弦，而arco 指用弓拉奏。震音是单个音或两个音的极快速重复。
9. Instruments and Ensembles: Knowing the Families | 乐器与合奏：认识乐器家族
The orchestra is divided into families: strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp), woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon), brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba), and percussion (timpani, cymbals, snare drum, xylophone). A symphony orchestra includes all families. A chamber ensemble is a smaller group such as a string quartet (2 violins, viola, cello) or a wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn). SATB choir stands for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass voices. In modern bands, you will find electric guitars, bass guitar, drum kit, keyboards, and often a vocalist. Understanding timbre and instrumentation helps you identify what you are hearing in a listening exam.
管弦乐队按家族分组：弦乐家族（小提琴、中提琴、大提琴、低音提琴、竖琴），木管家族（长笛、双簧管、单簧管、大管），铜管家族（小号、圆号、长号、大号）和打击乐家族（定音鼓、镲、小军鼓、木琴）。交响乐团包含所有家族。而室内乐组合规模较小，例如弦乐四重奏（两把小提琴、中提琴、大提琴）或木管五重奏（长笛、双簧管、单簧管、大管、圆号）。SATB混声合唱代表了女高音、女中音、男高音和男低音四个声部。现代乐队中，你会看到电吉他、贝斯吉他、架子鼓、键盘和一位主唱。理解音色和乐器编制，能帮你在听力考试中辨认出所听到的音乐。
10. Notation and Performance Directions | 记谱法与演奏指示
Music notation is filled with symbols and abbreviations. A time signature like 4/4 tells you there are four crotchet beats in a bar. Key signatures show which notes are consistently sharp or flat. A tie joins two notes of the same pitch, extending the length. A repeat sign encloses a passage to be played again. Da capo (D.C.) means go back to the beginning; dal segno (D.S.) means go back to the sign. 8va indicates that notes should be played an octave higher. Fermata (pause) directs a note or rest to be held longer than its written value. Performance directions like dolce (sweetly), cantabile (in a singing style), and maestoso (majestic) add character beyond mere notes.
音乐记谱法充满了各种符号和缩写。拍号如4/4告诉你每小节有四拍，以四分音符为一拍。调号显示出哪些音需要持续升降。延音线连接两个相同的音高，将其时值加长。反复记号围起一段需要再演奏一遍的乐谱。Da capo (D.C.) 表示从头反复；dal segno (D.S.) 表示从记号处反复。8va 指示将音符演奏高一个八度。延长记号指示将音符或休止持续时间长于记谱时值。像dolce（柔美的）、cantabile（如歌的）以及maestoso（庄严的）这样的表情术语，为音乐增添了超越音符的个性。
11. Rhythm and Metre: Organising Time | 节奏与节拍：组织时间
Rhythm is the pattern of sound and silence over time. Metre groups beats into strong and weak patterns, most commonly in twos (duple), threes (triple), or fours (quadruple). Simple time divides each beat into two equal parts; compound time divides each beat into three. Thus 6/8 has two dotted-crotchet beats, each feeling like a lilting triple. Syncopation places accents on normally weak beats or between beats, giving music a surprising 'off-beat' feel. Triplets squeeze three equal notes into the time of two. A hemiola temporarily shifts the metrical feel, very common in Baroque dance music. Anacrusis is an upbeat, a note or group of notes before the first strong beat of a phrase.
节奏是声音与静默在时间中的模式。节拍将拍子组织成强拍与弱拍的组合，最常见的是二拍子、三拍子或四拍子。单拍子将每一拍均分成两部分；复拍子则将每一拍均分为三部分。因此，6/8拍以附点四分音符为一拍，每小节两拍，具有摇曳的三拍子感觉。切分音将重音放在通常较弱的拍子上或拍子之间，营造出令人惊奇的'弱拍'感。三连音将一个拍子均匀地切成三个音。在巴洛克舞曲中常见的希米奥拉会暂时改变节拍感。弱起拍是乐句第一个强拍之前的单音或音群。
12. Exam Tips and Memory Strategies | 考试技巧与记忆策略
Build a glossary wall: write each Italian term on a sticky note with its symbol and English meaning, and place them where you see them daily. Group terms into families – all the dynamic terms together, all the tempo terms together – so your brain categorises them naturally. Listen actively to short extracts from the WJEC suggested repertoire, and describe them using at least three vocabulary words each time. Teach a friend or family member; explaining a concept solidifies your own understanding. In the exam, if a term slips your mind, try to recall a piece that uses it – often the musical context will unlock the memory. Remember, these words are not obstacles; they are tools that let you discuss music with precision and confidence.
建一面术语墙：把每个意大利文术语写在一张便签上，标注符号和英文含义，贴在你每天能看到的地方。把术语按照家族分组——所有力度术语放一起，所有速度术语放一起——让你的大脑自然分类。积极聆听WJEC推荐曲目表中的短小选段，每次至少用三个词汇加以描述。给朋友或家人讲解；教会别人的过程会巩固你自己的理解。考试中，如果某个术语一时想不起来，努力回忆一首用过它的曲子——音乐情境常常能唤醒记忆。请记住，这些词语不是障碍；它们是让你精准、自信地讨论音乐的工具。
Published by TutorHao | Music Revision Series | aleveler.com
更多咨询请联系16621398022（同微信）
或截图后用「扫一扫 → 相册」选择本图