F

Fourth note of the C major scale.

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Fa

In solmization, the fourth degree of the major scale.

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Facile

Light, easy.

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False entries

Passages which suggest the subject of a fugue, and then depart from it.

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False modulation

The effect of changing tonality without actually leaving the original key.

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Fanfare

A prelude or opening, a flourish, usually played by brass instruments.

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Fantasie

A composition free in form or an improvisation.

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Fasola

A system of solmization used in 17th- and 18th-century England and America. Fa, so, and la were given to both c-d-e and f-g-a, with mi used for the seventh degree.

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F clef

Clef which locates small f on the five-line staff.

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F dur

Key of F major.

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Fermata

Hold; pause.

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Feroce

Wild, fierce.

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Fes

Flat

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Festivo, festoso

Festive, merry.

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Feurig

Fiery, ardent.

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Fifth

The fifth degree of the diatonic scale. Also, the interval formed by a given tone and the fifth tone above or below it, e.g. c up to g, c down to f. Intervals of the fifth may be perfect (corresponding to major), diminished, or augmented.

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Finale

The last movement of a symphony or sonata, or the last selection of an opera.

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Fine

The end.

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First ending

One or more measures which occur at the end of the stanza or stanzas. It is usually indicated:

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Fixed do

The system of solmization in which c is always do.

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Flat

A symbol which lowers the pitch of a note one half step.

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F mol

Key of F minor.

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Form

The design or structure of a musical composition.

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Forte

Loud.

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Fortissimo

Very loud.

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Full score

An instrumental score in which all the parts for the instruments appear on their own staves in standard instrumental family order.

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Fundamental

Primary.

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Fourth

The fourth degree of the diatonic scale. Also, the interval formed by a given tone and the fourth tone above or below it, e.g. c up to f; c down to g. Intervals of the fourth may be perfect, diminished, or augmented.

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Fz

Forzando or forzato. Synonomous with sforzando (sf or sfz).