Rallentando, rall - Gradually slower. Synonymous with ritardando.

Range - The gamut of pitches, from low to high, which a singer may perform.

Rapide - Rapidly.

Re - In solmization, the second degree of the major scale.

Recital - A performance by one or more performers.

Refrain - A short section of repeated material which occurs at the end of each stanza.

Relative major and minor scales - Major and minor scales which have the same key signature.

Renaissance - The period c. 1450-1600.

Repeat - The repetition of a section or a composition as indicated by particular signs.

Repeat of a section:

Repeat from the beginning:

Also D.C., repeat from the beginning and D.S., repeat from the sign.

Resonance - Reinforcement and intensification of sound by vibrations.

Rest - A symbol used to denote silence.

Rhapsody - A free style instrumental piece characterized by dramatic changes in mood.

Rhythm - The term which denotes the organization of sound in time; the temporal quality of sound.

Rinforzando - A reinforced accent.

Risoluto - Resolute.

Ritardando, rit - Gradually slower. Synonymous with rallentando.

Ritenuto - Immediate reduction in tempo.

Ritmico - Rhythmically.

Roll - On percussion instruments, a sticking technique consisting of a rapid succession of notes:

Romanticism - The period c. 1825-1900.

Root - The note upon which a triad or chord is built.

Root position - The arrangement of a chord in which the root is in the lowest voice.

Round - Like the canon, a song in which two or more parts having the same melody, starting at different points. The parts may be repeated as desired.

Rubato - The term used to denote flexibility of tempo to assist in achieving expressiveness.

Rudiments - On drums, the basic sticking patterns.

Ruhig - Quiet.

Run - A rapid scale passage.

Rustico - Pastoral, rustic, rural.