GeneralC – doD – reE – miF – faG – solA – laB – sia sharp – yon dyèza flat – yon bemòla natural – yon bekaAccidentals – yon siy dalterasyonKey signature – amatiTime signature – chif endikatè
Note ValuesWhole note – wondHalf note – blanchQuarter note – nwaEighth note – kwòchSixteenth note – double kwòchDotted quarter note – nwa pwenteDotted half note – blanch pwente
RestsRest – silans / siy de repoWhole rest – pozHalf rest – demi pozQuarter rest – soupiEighth rest – demi soupiSixteenth rest – ka de soupi
ClefsTreble clef – kle (de) sòlAlto clef – kle dit twazyem liyTenor clef – kle dit katryem liyBass clef – kle (de) faC clef – kle d ut / kle de do
Other TermsStaff – pòteLine – liySpace – entèliyMeasure – meziBar line – ba de meziRepeat – pwen de reprizSlur – lyezon (lyezon pou aksan)Tie – lyezon de pwolongasyonFermata – pwen dògKey of piece – ton / tonaliteScale – gamMajor / minor scale – gam majè / minè“A” major scale – gam “la” majèStand – kampeSit – chitaTempo – mouvman (tenmpo)Interval – entèvalUnison – inisona 2nd – yon segonda 3rd – yon tyèsa 4th – yon kata 5th – yon kenta 6th – yon siksta 7th – yon setyèmOctave – oktavMajor – majèMinor – minèA whole step – yon tonA half step – yon demi-tonToo high – twò egiToo low – twò gravFingering – dwateFinger – dwètTonguing – kout langKey (of an instrument) – kleVoice – vwaTongue – langConductor – chèf dòkès(the) baton – bagèt (la)Violin – vyolonViola – alto / vyolaCello – vyolonsèlBass – kontrebasFlute – flitPiccolo – ti flit la / pikoloOboe – obwaEnglish Horn – kò anglèClarinet – klarinètBass Clarinet – klarinèt basBassoon – basonFrench Horn – kòTrumpet – twompètTrombone – twombònTuba – tibaEuphonium – baritonDrum – tambouSnare Drum – kès / snè aBass Drum – gwos kèsCymbals – senbalTimpani – tenbal / tenmpaniDrum Stick – bagètReed – anchDouble reed – anch doubSingle reed – anch senpCane – wozoBell (of instrument) – paviyonMouthpiece (or mouth position) – anbouchi
Kreyòl String Teacher TermsParts of the ViolinScroll – tèt vyolon / kokiPegs – kleNeck – manchFingerboard – touch laBridge – chevalèTailpiece – kòdiyeChin rest – mantonyeEnd pin – pinString – kòdBow – achèBowings – kou dachè
Parts of the BowStick – bwa achè aTip – pwentFrog – talonScrew – visHair – krenDown bow – tirèUp bow – pouseHeel of the bow – talonTip of the bow – pwentRosin – kolofàn | VariousLoose – lachMiddle – nan mitanUse all the hair. – Itilize tout kren an.Stand well. – Kampe byen.Sit well. – Chita byen.Put your feet on the ground. – Mete pye ou sou tè a.Take your violin. – Pran vyolon ou.Left hand / thumb – men / pous gòchRight hand / thumb – men / pous dwatCurve your thumb. – Koube pous ou.Is your thumb curved? – Èske pous ou koube?Pull the string. – Tire kòd la.Put weight into the string. – Mete pwa nan kòd la.
Some Kreyòl Teaching PhrasesI am a *** teacher. – Mwen se pwofesè ***.How old are you? – Ki laj ou genyen?How was your day? – Ki jan jounen ou te ye?How are you feeling? – Ki jan ou santi ou?Show me the music you worked on. – Montre m mizik ou te travay la.You’re not tuned. – Ou pa akòde.You sound good. – Ou sonnen byen.You play well. – Ou jwe byen.Begin here. – Kòmanse isit.Always stand straight, please. – Kampe dwat toujou, souple.Hold your instrument like this. – Kenbe enstriman ou konsa.It’s very important. – Se enpòtan anpil.Do what I do. – Fè mem jan avem.Watch me. – Gade mwen.Follow my tempo. – Swiv tempo pam.Wait for me. – Tann mwen.Don’t be afraid. – Pa pè.I’ll be there. – M’ap la.Breathe well. – Respire byen.Tap your foot on the beat. – Frape pye ou sou tan an.Put your hand like this. – Mete men ou konsa.Hold your instrument well. – Kenbe enstriman byen.Would you like to play a solo? – Èske ou vle jwe yon solo?Begin here. – Kòmanse isit.Learn this by heart. – Aprann sa a pa kè.Play this 10 times. – Jwe sa a dis fwa.Don’t rush. – Pa kouri.Don’t slow down. – Pa ralenti.Don’t put on the brakes! – Pa mete fren!Follow what I do. – Suiv sa m fè.Repeat after me. – Repete aprè mwen.I’m happy (pleased). – Mwen kontan.What do you think? – Ki sa ou panse?It’s time for us to take a break. – Li lè pou nou pran yon ti break (poz).It’s time for you to go. – Li lè pou nou ale.Take the chair. – Pran chèz la.Take the stand. – Pran pipit la.Where is the chair? – Kote chèz la ye?Do you have a pencil? – Èske ou genyen yon kreyon?What do you know in Kreyòl? – Ki sa ou konnen an Kreyòl?Silence, please. – Silans, souple.I don’t see your eyes. – Mwen pa we je ou.How we stand is very important. – Fason nou kampe extrèman enpòtan.How we sit is very important. – Fason nou chita extrèman enpòtan.Let your body go. – Lache tout kò ou.Release your shoulders. – Lage zepòl ou.Go down. – Desann.I think. – Mwen panse.Out of tune – pa jisRhythm – ritmIntonation – jistèsTune – akòdeMore – plisNothing – anyenBefore – anvanAfter – apreBecause – paskeThis/that – sa/aEvery day – chak jouHere – isitBusy – okipeFix – fikseChange – chanjeBefore the end – anvan la fenStrong – fòSolid – solidExplain – eksplikeFeel (or smell) – santiNeed – bezwenToo fast – twò vitTime – lèFunny – komikRemember – sonjeBefore the end – anvan la fenFermata – pwen dògGrace note – ti nòtTrill – twilHeavy – louLight – lejeIntense – entansTogether/ensemble – ansanmToo loud – twop fòShy – timidFear – pèEnergetic – enèjetikPretty – bèlUgly – lèdWatch – gadeLook for – chacheHit – frapeGive – bay/ban/baA lot (much) – anpilTo help – edeSlow – dousmanSick – maladChurch – leglizMaybe – petètConduct – dirijeOnly – sèlmanMorning – matenDay – jouEvening – aswèNight – nuitHurts – fè malWord – moMotor – moteMove – boujeAlone – sèlEmotion – emosyonWeight – pwaCollect – ramaseFolder – katabBetter – miyòNice – jantiHappy – kontanSad – tris |
Anpil mèsi to Janet Anthony for all of her wonderful translations!
Pronunciation
Vowels
e – as in aim
è – as in leg
ou – as in food
i – as in bee
o – as in toe
ò – as in saw
Consonants