D

Decresendo

Decreasing the volume of sound - gradually getting quieter.

Diction

Singing songs with clearly enunciated words

Diminuendo

Rather like decresendo - gradually getting quieter

Directing

The act or art of controlling a group of performers by means of gestures, rather like conducting, which involves beating time, helping with players playing at the correct time, shaping the phrases etc.

Direction

Often used when referring to pitch - 'the direction of the music was generally rising in pitch/falling in pitch etc.

Dorian

A mode, or series of notes, represented by the white notes on a keyboard, e.g. DEFGABCD etc.

Drone

A sound or, occasionally, a short pattern of sounds played continuously through a piece of music. A drone is often based on the tonic or 'home' note e.g. if a piece is in the key of C (quieter chord symbols may help to discover this), then the drone will be based on C or perhaps C-G throughout.

Duet

Any combination of two performers, with or without accompaniment. A duet can be vocal or instrumental.

Duration

To do with: long or short sounds, pulse or beat, rhythm, grouping of beats e.g. in 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's etc. and syncopation i.e. lengths of sounds either single or in combination.

Dulcian

An instrument which was a forerunner of the bassoon which came into being just before the mid-20 in Italy. It's main difference from the bassoon is that it was made in one complete piece of maple rather than in sections and it had a sweeter sound.

Dynamics

Different levels and subtle differences of volume - loud, quiet, silence, accent and including consideration of the balance, or relative volumes, between instrumental parts.