📚 IGCSE Cambridge Music: Vocabulary and Terminology Quick Revision Guide | IGCSE 剑桥音乐：词汇术语速记指南
IGCSE Cambridge Music listening papers require you to identify and describe musical features using precise, examiner-friendly terminology. This guide groups the most frequently tested terms into logical categories and gives you fast memory hooks for revision.
IGCSE 剑桥音乐听力试卷要求你使用准确、考官认可的术语来识别和描述音乐特征。本指南将最高频的术语按逻辑分类，并为你提供快速记忆方法。
1. Why Terminology Matters | 为什么术语重要
In the Cambridge IGCSE Music exam, vague words such as ‘fast’ or ‘quiet’ rarely earn full marks. You are expected to use Italian and English technical terms, for example ‘allegro’ or ‘pianissimo’, to show accurate musical understanding.
在剑桥 IGCSE 音乐考试中，’快’ 或 ‘安静’ 这类模糊词汇很少能拿到满分。你需要使用意大利语和英语专业术语，例如 ‘allegro’ 或 ‘pianissimo’，来展示准确的音乐理解。
Terminology also connects the different parts of the syllabus: when you compose, perform or analyse a set work, the same vocabulary helps you describe structure, expression and sonority consistently.
术语还连接着大纲的不同部分：当你作曲、演奏或分析固定作品时，同一套词汇能帮助你连贯地描述结构、表情和音色。
Treat this guide as a working glossary, not a book to memorise word by word. Each section gives you a cluster of related terms plus a quick memory hook so you can recall them under exam pressure.
把本指南当作一本实用词汇手册，而不是逐字背诵的课本。每一节给你一组相关术语和一条快速记忆线索，帮助你在考试压力下回想起来。
2. Dynamics and Expression | 力度与表情术语
Dynamics describe how loud or soft the music is. The standard Italian abbreviations range from very quiet to very loud: pp (pianissimo), p (piano), mp (mezzo-piano), mf (mezzo-forte), f (forte), ff (fortissimo).
力度描述音乐的强弱。标准的意大利语缩写从极弱到极强依次为：pp（极弱）、p（弱）、mp（中弱）、mf（中强）、f（强）、ff（极强）。
Changes in dynamics are equally important. A gradual increase is a crescendo, while a gradual decrease is a diminuendo or decrescendo. A sudden strong accent is often marked sforzando (sfz) or subito forte.
力度的变化同样重要。渐强是 crescendo，渐弱是 diminuendo 或 decrescendo。突发的强音常标为 sforzando（sfz）或 subito forte。
| Term | Meaning | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| crescendo | gradually louder | 渐强 |
| diminuendo | gradually softer | 渐弱 |
| sforzando | sudden strong accent | 突强 |
| fortepiano | loud then immediately soft | 强后即弱 |
Memory hook: arrange the six basic dynamic levels as a ladder from pp to ff, then add the two ‘change’ words crescendo and diminuendo. That covers most listening answers.
记忆技巧：把六个基本力度等级从 pp 到 ff 排成阶梯，再加上两个表示变化的词 crescendo 和 diminuendo，就能覆盖大多数听力答案。
3. Tempo and Metre | 速度与节拍
Tempo marks tell the speed of the beat. From slow to fast, the common Italian terms are: largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, vivace and presto.
速度标记表明节拍的速度。从慢到快，常见意大利语术语依次为：largo、adagio、andante、moderato、allegro、vivace 和 presto。
You should also recognise terms showing changes in tempo: accelerando means gradually getting faster, while rallentando and ritardando both mean gradually getting slower. A tempo tells the performer to return to the original speed.
你还应认识表示速度变化的术语：accelerando 表示逐渐加快，而 rallentando 和 ritardando 都表示逐渐减慢。A tempo 表示回到原来的速度。
Metre describes how beats are grouped. Simple metre divides each beat into two equal parts, compound metre divides each beat into three. Duple, triple and quadruple refer to two, three or four main beats per bar.
节拍描述拍子的分组方式。单拍子每拍分为两个等份，复拍子每拍分为三个等份。二拍子、三拍子和四拍子分别指每小节有两个、三个或四个主要拍。
Quick memory hook: think ‘L-A-A-M-A-V-P’ as a slow-to-fast chain. For changes, link accelerando to ‘accelerate’ and rallentando to ‘relax and slow down’.
快速记忆：把 ‘L-A-A-M-A-V-P’ 想成从慢到快的链条。对于变化，把 accelerando 与 ‘accelerate’（加速）联系起来，把 rallentando 与 ‘relax and slow down’（放松并减慢）联系起来。
4. Articulation and Phrasing | 演奏法与乐句
Articulation describes how individual notes are played or sung. The three most common marks are legato (smooth and connected), staccato (short and detached) and tenuto (held for full value).
演奏法描述单个音符如何演奏或演唱。三种最常见的标记是 legato（连贯圆滑）、staccato（短促断开）和 tenuto（充分保持时值）。
Other important articulation terms include accent (emphasise a note), marcato (marked and stressed) and pizzicato (plucking a string instrument instead of bowing). The opposite of pizzicato is arco, meaning with the bow.
其他重要的演奏法术语包括 accent（强调某个音）、marcato（着重且有力）和 pizzicato（拨弦而非拉弓）。pizzicato 的反义词是 arco，意为用弓演奏。
A phrase is a musical sentence, often shown by a slur. Recognising phrase lengths and cadence points helps you describe structure and expression in listening questions.
乐句是音乐中的句子，通常用连音线表示。识别乐句长度和终止式位置有助于你在听力题中描述结构和表情。
| Term | Meaning | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| legato | smooth, connected | 连奏 |
| staccato | short, detached | 断奏 |
| pizzicato | plucked string | 拨弦 |
| arco | with the bow | 用弓 |
Memory hook: legato sounds like ‘legs together’ (smooth movement), staccato sounds sharp and chopped, and pizzicato has a ‘pluck’ sound in the word itself.
记忆技巧：legato 听起来像 ‘双腿并拢’（动作平滑），staccato 听起来尖锐短促，而 pizzicato 一词本身就带有 ‘拨’ 的声音感。
5. Texture and Sonority | 织体与音色
Texture refers to how many layers of sound are heard and how they relate. Monophonic texture has a single melody line with no accompaniment, while homophonic texture is melody plus chordal accompaniment.
织体指听到多少个声音层次以及它们之间的关系。单声织体只有一条旋律线且无伴奏，主调织体则是旋律加上和弦式伴奏。
Polyphonic texture has two or more independent melodic lines woven together, often using imitation or counterpoint. Heterophonic texture occurs when two parts play the same melody with slight differences at the same time.
复调织体由两条或更多独立旋律线交织而成，常使用模仿或对位。支声织体发生在两个声部同时演奏同一旋律但略有差异时。
Sonority describes the quality of sound, including which instruments or voices are playing and how they are combined. Terms such as solo, tutti, unison and antiphonal all belong to this category.
音色描述声音的质感，包括哪些乐器或人声在演奏以及它们如何组合。solo、tutti、unison 和 antiphonal 等术语都属于这一范畴。
- Monophonic – one line only | 单声织体
- Homophonic – melody and accompaniment | 主调织体
- Polyphonic – independent lines | 复调织体
- Unison – all parts on the same pitch | 齐奏/齐唱
- Antiphonal – groups answer each other | 应答轮唱
Memory hook: ‘mono’ means one, ‘homo’ means same, ‘poly’ means many. Link heterophonic to ‘hetero’ meaning different versions of the same tune.
记忆技巧：’mono’ 表示一，’homo’ 表示相同，’poly’ 表示多。把 heterophonic 与 ‘hetero’（不同的）联系起来，即同一曲调的不同版本。
6. Melody and Pitch | 旋律与音高
Melodic movement can be conjunct, meaning it moves by step, or disjunct, meaning it moves by leap. A scalic passage moves in scale order, while a triadic melody outlines the notes of a triad.
旋律进行可以是级进（conjunct），即逐级移动，也可以是跳进（disjunct），即跳跃移动。音阶式段落按音阶顺序进行，而三和弦式旋律则勾勒出三和弦的音。
Key melodic devices include motif (a short distinctive idea), sequence (repeating a motif at a different pitch), ostinato (a repeated pattern) and repetition. You may also need to describe range, register and intervals.
关键的旋律手法包括动机（短小鲜明的音乐想法）、模进（在不同音高上重复动机）、固定音型（重复的音型）和反复。你可能还需要描述音域、音区和音程。
Question-and-answer phrasing is common in Classical and Romantic music. A phrase ending on a perfect cadence often sounds like an answer, while an imperfect cadence sounds like a question.
问答式乐句在古典和浪漫主义音乐中很常见。以完全终止结束的乐句通常听起来像答案，而不完全终止则听起来像问题。
Memory hook: conjunct = connected steps, disjunct = disjointed leaps. Scalic = scale, triadic = triad. Recognising these four shapes covers most melody descriptions.
记忆技巧：conjunct = 连接的级进，disjunct = 断裂的跳进。Scalic = 音阶，triadic = 三和弦。识别这四种形态就能覆盖大多数旋律描述。
7. Harmony and Tonality | 和声与调性
Harmony is the vertical combination of notes. Consonant harmony sounds stable and pleasant, while dissonant harmony creates tension that usually resolves. Diatonic harmony stays within the key, and chromatic harmony uses notes outside the key.
和声是音符的纵向组合。协和和声听起来稳定悦耳，不协和和声则制造紧张感，通常会得到解决。自然音和声保持在调内，半音化和声则使用调外音。
The main degrees of the scale are the tonic (I), dominant (V) and subdominant (IV). Cadences are the punctuation of music: perfect (V-I), imperfect (I-V or IV-V), plagal (IV-I) and interrupted (V-vi).
音阶的主要级数是主音（I）、属音（V）和下属音（IV）。终止式是音乐的标点：完全终止（V-I）、不完全终止（I-V 或 IV-V）、变格终止（IV-I）和阻碍终止（V-vi）。
Tonality describes the key system. Music can be major, minor, modal, pentatonic or atonal. Modulation is a change of key within a piece, while a pedal or drone is a sustained or repeated note beneath changing harmonies.
调性描述调式体系。音乐可以是major（大调）、minor（小调）、modal（调式）、pentatonic（五声）或 atonal（无调性）。转调是乐曲内部调性的变化，而持续音或低音持续音是在变化和声下方持续或重复的音。
| Cadence | Chords | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect | V-I | 完全终止 |
| Imperfect | I-V or IV-V | 不完全终止 |
| Plagal | IV-I | 变格终止 |
| Interrupted | V-vi | 阻碍终止 |
Memory hook: perfect = full stop, imperfect = comma, plagal = ‘Amen’ ending, interrupted = surprise. For tonality, major is bright, minor is darker, and atonal has no key centre.
记忆技巧：完全终止 = 句号，不完全终止 = 逗号，变格终止 = ‘阿们’ 结尾，阻碍终止 = 意外。关于调性，大调明亮，小调较暗，无调性则没有调性中心。
8. Form and Structure | 曲式与结构
Form describes how a piece is organised. Binary form has two sections, AB. Ternary form has three sections, ABA, where the opening material returns after a contrasting middle section.
曲式描述作品的组织方式。二部曲式有两个部分，AB。三部曲式有三个部分，ABA，在对比中段之后开头素材又回来。
Rondo form is ABACA or similar, with a recurring A section. Theme and variations takes one theme and repeats it with changes to rhythm, harmony, texture or instrumentation. Strophic form repeats the same music for each verse of a song.
回旋曲式为 ABACA 或类似结构，A 段反复出现。主题与变奏以一个主题为基础，通过节奏、和声、织体或配器的变化反复呈现。分节歌形式为每段歌词重复相同的音乐。
Other structures include through-composed (new music throughout), verse-chorus form in popular music, ground bass (a repeating bass line) and sonata form with exposition, development and recapitulation.
其他结构包括通谱体（全曲不断出现新音乐）、流行音乐中的主歌-副歌形式、固定低音（重复的低音线条），以及包含呈示部、展开部和再现部的奏鸣曲式。
Memory hook: binary has two parts, ternary has three with a return, rondo keeps coming back to A, and variations are one theme changed many times.
记忆技巧：二部曲式有两部分，三部曲式有三部分且开头回归，回旋曲式不断回到 A，变奏曲式是一个主题变化多次。
9. Devices and Ornaments | 装饰音与创作手法
Compositional devices are techniques composers use to develop ideas. Imitation is when one part copies another shortly after it begins. Canon is strict imitation throughout, while sequence repeats a motif at a different pitch.
创作手法是作曲家发展音乐素材的技巧。模仿是一个声部在另一声部开始后不久对其进行复制。卡农是全曲严格的模仿，模进则是在不同音高上重复动机。
Other devices include inversion (turning a melody upside down), retrograde (playing it backwards), augmentation (longer note values) and diminution (shorter note values). Ostinato and pedal have already been mentioned.
其他手法包括倒影（把旋律上下颠倒）、逆行（反向演奏）、增值（音符时值加长）和减值（音符时值缩短）。固定音型和持续音前面已经提过。
Ornaments are decorative notes. The most common are the trill (rapid alternation with the note above), mordent (quick main-upper-lower pattern), turn (main-upper-main-lower), appoggiatura (leaning note) and acciaccatura (crushed note).
装饰音是装饰性音符。最常见的有颤音（与上方音快速交替）、波音（主-上-主的快速进行）、回音（主-上-主-下）、倚音（前倚靠音）和短倚音（挤入式音符）。
- Trill – rapid alternation | 颤音
- Mordent – quick upper or lower neighbour | 波音
- Turn – four-note ornamental figure | 回音
- Appoggiatura – accented leaning note | 倚音
- Acciaccatura – crushed, very short grace note | 短倚音
Memory hook: inversion = upside down, retrograde = backwards, augmentation = augment (grow longer), diminution = diminish (shrink). Ornaments can be learned as five small ‘decorations’.
记忆技巧：倒影 = 上下颠倒，逆行 = 反向，增值 = 时值增大，减值 = 时值缩小。装饰音可以当作五个小 ‘装饰’ 来学习。
10. Instruments and Ensembles | 乐器与合奏
The standard orchestra has four families: strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon), brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba) and percussion (tuned and untuned).
标准管弦乐队有四个乐器组：弦乐（小提琴、中提琴、大提琴、低音提琴）、木管（长笛、双簧管、单簧管、大管）、铜管（小号、圆号、长号、大号）和打击乐（有音高和无音高）。
Keyboard instruments include piano, harpsichord, organ and synthesiser. Voice types from high to low are soprano, alto, tenor and bass. SATB is the standard four-part choir arrangement.
键盘乐器包括钢琴、羽管键琴、管风琴和合成器。人声类型从高到低为女高音、女低音、男高音和男低音。SATB 是标准的四声部合唱编排。
Ensemble terms include orchestra, chamber group (small instrumental group), string quartet, wind quintet, choir and solo. You should be able to identify them by ear in listening questions.Published by TutorHao | IGCSE 音乐 Revision Series | aleveler.com
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