U
Und (Ger)
And
Unison
Singing or playing the same notes by all singers or players, either at exactly the same pitch or in a different octave
Un peu (Fre)
A little
Un poco
A little
Una corda
One string. In piano music, depress the damper pedal
V
Vibrato
Repeated fluctuation of pitch
Violin
Member of the
String family, whereby a bow is drawn across tuned strings to produce sound waves amplified in a sound box. Highest (and most numerous) string instrument in the orchestra
Violoncello
Tenor member of the
String family, played sitting down
Vocal score
Score of vocal work with the accompaniment reduced to two-stave piano part for rehearsal
Voce
Voice
Volti subito
Turn (the page) quickly. Often shortened to V.S.
W
Waltz
A dance in triple time, with the accent on the first beat of the bar
Whammy bar
Whole note (US)
Whole tone scale
A scale comprised of whole tones, with no semitones
Woodwind family
World music
Generic term for music of non-Western, ethnic or folk origin