D

Second note of the C major scale. An abbreviation for da, dal or destra.

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Da capo, D. C.

Return to the beginning.

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Dal

"From the," "by the."

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Dal segno, D. S.

Repeat from the sign. Frequently followed by al Fine.

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Dal segno al Fine

Repeat from the sign. Then end at the word Fine.

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Damp

Stop the sound.

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Damper pedal

On pianos, the pedal on the right side. It lifts the dampers from the strings.

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D dur

Key of D major.

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Deceptive cadence

Chordal progression dominant (V) to a chord other than the expected tonic.

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Decrescendo

Gradually softer. Synonymous with diminuendo.

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Degree

One of the eight consecutive tones in a major or minor scale.

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Delicato

Delicately.

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Destra

Right, right hand.

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Di

Of, with.

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Diminished

The term for an interval which has been decreased from the major by two half steps and from the perfect by one half step, e.g. c-a, diminished sixth, or c-g, a diminished fifth. Also used for a triad which has a minor third and a diminished fifth, e.g. c, c-e, g.

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Diminuendo, dim

Gradually softer. Synonymous with decrescendo.

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Diminution

The shortening of note values; the opposite of augmentation.

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Dirge

A piece that is performed at a funeral or memorial service.

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Disjunct

The term used to describe intervals larger than a second; the opposite of conjunct.

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Dissonance

Sounds of unrest, e.g. intervals of seconds and sevenths; the opposite of consonance.

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Divisi, div

An indication of divided musical parts.

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D mol

Key of D minor.

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Do

The first degree of the major scale.

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Dolce

Sweetly.

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Dolcissimo

Very sweetly.

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Doloroso

Sadly; mournfully.

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Dominant

The fifth degree of the major or minor scale. Also, the term for the triad built on the fifth degree, labelled V in harmonic analysis.

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Dotted Notes

A dot (.) placed to the right of any note increases the value of that note by half the original value.

In 4/4 time:

	is equal to	3 quarters of a beat	or		plus a
	is equal to	one and a half beats	or		plus an
	is equal to	three counts	or		plus a

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Double bar

Two vertical lines placed on the staff to indicate the end of a section or a composition. Also, used with two dots to enclose repeated sections.

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Double flat

A symbol for lowering pitch one step.

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Double sharp

A symbol for raising pitch one step.

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Double tonguing

On flute and brass instruments, the technique of rapidly articulating notes by using the front and the back of the tongue in alternation (t-k-t-k-t-k).

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Down beat

The first beat; given by the conductor with a downward stroke.

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Down bow

In the violin family, drawing the bow downward from its frog.

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Du

"From the," "of the."

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Duet

A piece for two performers.

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Duplet

A group of two notes performed in the time of three of the same kind.

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Dynamics

Varying degrees of loud and soft.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Some definitions and terms excerpted from
Belwin Pocket Dictionary of Music: Music Theory Dictionary
By Dr. William Lee
Students may purchase a copy for home use at cost

Many thanks to Dearest for everything!