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200+ Musical Terms.
Three Quiz Modes.

You cannot read a score if you don't know the language. The Notation Reference is a complete dictionary with definitions, Italian pronunciation guides, and grade levels — so you always know exactly what the composer meant. The quiz system turns passive knowledge into active recall.

Notation Reference — dictionary view

gradusmusic.com/notation
Search terms (e.g. “stretto”, “rubato”, “pizzicato”)…
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Tempo
Dynamics
Technique
Form
Level 1–3
Level 4–6
Alphabet
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
V
Showing 6 of 23 terms starting with A–H
AllegroItalianTempoLevel 1
Fast and lively; typically 120–156 BPM.
RubatoItalianTempoLevel 3
Flexible tempo — slight speeding up and slowing down for expressive effect.
FortissimoItalianDynamicsLevel 1
Very loud. The loudest standard dynamic marking.
Sul ponticelloItalianTechniqueLevel 5
Bow near the bridge. Produces a glassy, nasal tone with prominent upper partials.
StrettoItalianFormLevel 6
Overlapping fugue entries before the previous subject has completed. Creates urgency.
HemiolaGreekRhythmLevel 4
A rhythmic device where three beats of two are articulated as two beats of three.

Notation Quiz — flashcard mode

gradusmusic.com/notation/quiz
Flashcard
Multiple Choice
Matching
Card 7 of 20 · Level 3–5
Hemiola
Greek · Rhythm · Level 4
Flip for Definition
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✓ Got it

The Reference & The Quiz

200+ Terms

From allegro to zoppo — tempo, dynamics, technique, form, and ornament markings — every term you'll encounter in the standard repertoire.

Italian Pronunciation

Each term includes Italian pronunciation guidance. When you see it in a score, you know how to say it.

Grade Levels

Terms are tagged Level 1–8, aligned with the Gradus curriculum. Study what's relevant to where you are now.

Flashcard Mode

Term-by-term review. See the term, recall the definition. The classical way to build vocabulary under recall conditions.

Multiple Choice

Timed multiple-choice questions from the full reference. Challenge yourself under exam conditions with adaptive difficulty.

Matching Game

Match terms to definitions in a grid. A faster, more active way to cement knowledge before a lesson or rehearsal.

200+ terms. Three quiz modes. The language of scores, mastered.

Included with every Gradus subscription — the reference you keep open while reading.