Nach

After (as "in the manner of"); behind.

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Nachtmusik

"Night music." A serenade.

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Natural

A musical symbol which cancels a previous sharp or flat.

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Natural minor scale (pure minor)

The natural minor scale differs from the major scale in that the third, sixth and seventh degrees are lowered one-half step, both ascending and descending. For more information, see Scales and Chords.

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Neumatic

One style of chant in which two to four pitches occur on one syllable; in contrast to melismatic and syllabic.

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Non

No; not.

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Nonharmonic tones

A designation for tones outside the harmonic structure of the chord. Two frequently used examples are the passing tone and the appoggiatura.

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Non troppo

Not too much. Used with other terms, e.g. non troppo allegro, not too fast.

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Notation

A term for a system of expressing musical sounds through the use of written characters, called notes.

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Note

The symbol which, when placed on a staff with a particular clef sign, indicates pitch and duration.

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Nuance

Subtle variations in tempo, phrasing, dynamics, etc., to enhance a musical performance.