| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | A string | highest cello string |
| 2. | accent | extra stress on a note |
| 3. | arco | play with the bow |
| 4. | arpeggio | notes of a chord separately |
| 5. | attack | start of a note |
| 6. | audition | performance to be evaluated |
| 7. | balance | stable, even body support |
| 8. | bass clef | common clef for cello music |
| 9. | beat | basic pulse of music |
| 10. | bow | stick with hair for playing |
| 11. | bowing | use of the bow |
| 12. | bridge | wooden support holding strings up |
| 13. | C string | lowest cello string |
| 14. | case | protective box for the cello |
| 15. | cello | the instrument itself |
| 16. | chord | three or more notes together |
| 17. | col legno | with the wood of bow |
| 18. | concerto | solo instrument with orchestra |
| 19. | conductor | leader of a musical group |
| 20. | crescendo | gradually getting louder |
| 21. | D string | second highest string |
| 22. | detache | separate smooth bow strokes |
| 23. | diminuendo | gradually getting softer |
| 24. | double stop | two strings played together |
| 25. | down-bow | bow stroke toward the tip |
| 26. | dynamics | degrees of loudness |
| 27. | ear training | practice recognizing musical sounds |
| 28. | endpin | spike supporting the cello |
| 29. | etude | study piece for technique |
| 30. | expression | communicating feeling in music |
| 31. | f-hole | sound hole shaped like an f |
| 32. | fermata | hold longer than written |
| 33. | fine tuner | small screw for precise tuning |
| 34. | fingerboard | surface where fingers press strings |
| 35. | first position | basic lower hand placement |
| 36. | flat | lowers a note by semitone |
| 37. | forte | play loudly |
| 38. | frog | bow end held by hand |
| 39. | fugue | piece built on imitation |
| 40. | G string | second lowest string |
| 41. | glissando | slide between pitches |
| 42. | harmonic | flutelike overtone note |
| 43. | interval | distance between two pitches |
| 44. | intonation | accuracy of pitch |
| 45. | legato | smooth, connected style |
| 46. | lesson | instruction session with a teacher |
| 47. | luthier | maker or repairer of string instruments |
| 48. | martele | hammered, accented bow stroke |
| 49. | melody | main tune of a piece |
| 50. | metronome | device marking steady beats |
| 51. | mordent | quick ornament around a note |
| 52. | movement | main section of a larger work |
| 53. | musicianship | overall musical skill and understanding |
| 54. | mute | device softening the sound |
| 55. | natural | cancels sharp or flat |
| 56. | note | written or sounded pitch |
| 57. | octave | interval of eight notes |
| 58. | orchestra | large instrumental ensemble |
| 59. | peg | tuning knob at the scroll |
| 60. | piano | play softly |
| 61. | pickup | note before the first full bar |
| 62. | pitch | how high or low a note |
| 63. | pizzicato | pluck the string |
| 64. | portamento | expressive slide between notes |
| 65. | position | left-hand placement on fingerboard |
| 66. | posture | how the body is held |
| 67. | practice | regular work to improve playing |
| 68. | prelude | introductory or standalone piece |
| 69. | rehearsal mark | letter or number for practice |
| 70. | relaxation | freedom from excess tension |
| 71. | repeat | play the section again |
| 72. | repertoire | pieces a player knows |
| 73. | resonance | full ringing response |
| 74. | rest | symbol for silence |
| 75. | rhythm | pattern of beats in time |
| 76. | rosin | resin rubbed on bow hair |
| 77. | sautille | fast light bouncing stroke |
| 78. | scale | ordered series of notes |
| 79. | scroll | carved top of the instrument |
| 80. | sharp | raises a note by semitone |
| 81. | slur | curved line joining notes |
| 82. | soundpost | internal post supporting tone |
| 83. | spiccato | bouncing bow stroke |
| 84. | staccato | short, detached style |
| 85. | staff | set of five lines |
| 86. | string | one of the cello’s four strings |
| 87. | tailpiece | piece anchoring the strings |
| 88. | tempo | speed of the music |
| 89. | tenor clef | higher clef cellists read |
| 90. | thumb position | high position using the thumb |
| 91. | tie | curved line extending duration |
| 92. | time signature | numbers showing meter |
| 93. | treble clef | highest clef sometimes used |
| 94. | trill | rapid alternation of two notes |
| 95. | tuning | adjusting pitch of strings |
| 96. | turn | ornament circling a note |
| 97. | up-bow | bow stroke toward the frog |
| 98. | vibrato | small pitch oscillation for warmth |
| 99. | warm-up | easy playing before harder work |
| 100. | wolf tone | unstable resonant note on cello |