Performance
What to know cold
Performance questions test practical musicianship: accurate rhythm and tempo terms, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, intonation, and ensemble skills. Know tempo markings (grave, largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, vivace, presto) and modifiers (ritardando, accelerando, rubato, a tempo). Know dynamic terms and their gradations (pp through ff, crescendo, diminuendo, sforzando). Recognize articulation and expression marks (staccato, legato, marcato, tenuto, fermata). Understand intonation for winds/strings (tuning tendencies, just vs. equal temperament), breathing and bowing technique, and ensemble listening (balance, blend, following a conductor). Also review score-reading: clefs, transpositions, repeats, and navigation marks (D.C., D.S., coda, fine).
Traps that appear
- Similar-looking terms: accelerando (speed up) vs. ritardando (slow down); crescendo (louder) vs. diminuendo (softer); staccato (short) vs. tenuto (held).
- Navigation order: D.S. al Coda sends you to the sign, then to the coda; D.C. al Fine returns to the beginning and stops at Fine. Questions reorder these steps.
- Tempo word roots: largo is slow, presto is fast-matching Italian roots prevents guessing.
- Intonation direction: strings often tune pure intervals; winds adjust to equal temperament-don’t assume one universal rule.
Worked rule of thumb
For navigation items, write the path in order: start → repeat → sign → coda/fine. For expressive terms, link each to a plain-English verb (speed, volume, length, attack). If two options sound alike, check the Italian root before choosing.