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Be silent — the performer does not play for an entire movement or extended section.
Tacet is written in parts where an instrument sits out for an entire movement. It is more efficient than writing bars of rest. When scoring, use tacet strategically — instruments that are silent for long stretches create more impact when they finally enter.
In many Classical symphonies, trumpets and timpani tacet during slow movements, making their return in the finale more exciting.
Tacet is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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