Music Dictionary for Kids - F

FA - The solfége syllable for the fourth note of the major scale.

FANFARE - A short piece of music played by brass instruments for ceremonial occasions. One of the most popular fanfares is Fanfare for the Common Man by American composer Aaron Copland.

FERMATA - Indicates that a note or a rest is to be held longer than its normal value.

FESTIVO - Festive.

FIDDLE - Another name for the violin.

FILM SCORE - Music written for a motion picture for the purpose of enhancing the story. A well composed film score will not draw attention to itself. If the score is seamlessly written, moviegoers won't remember hearing music.

FINALE - The final section or movement of a large musical work.

FINE - Italian for "Finish".

FINGER CYMBALS - Small cymbals often used by belly dancers.

ELLA FITZGERALD - (1917-1996) An American jazz vocalist. Throughout her 60-year recording career she sold 40 million albums, received 14 Grammy Awards, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush, and National Medal of Arts by Ronald Reagan.

FLAT - A musical symbol that lowers a note by one half step. Opposite of "Sharp".

FLUTE - A woodwind instrument that plays high notes. The flute produces a sound that is light, clear, and penetrating on its highest notes.

FORM - The structure of a piece of music. The study of the form of a piece of music would show how the composer put the "parts" together.

FLUGELHORN - A brass instrument from the trumpet family. It's conical bore (cone shaped tubing) and large bell give it a more mellow tone than the trumpet.

FOLK MUSIC - Includes traditional "music of the people", music from 20th century pop culture, and world music.

FORTE (f) - Loud.

FORTEPIANO - An early version of the modern piano. The name comes from the fact that the instrument could play both forte (loud) and piano (soft).

FORTISSIMO (ff) - Very loud.

FRENCH HORN - A member of the brass family. It has a round, velvety tone that that can be heard over other instruments without overpowering them.