contrebasse jouée sans archet

Note designation in accordance with octave name The traditional (Helmholtz) system centers on the great octave (with capital letters) and small octave (with lower case letters). Lower octaves are named "contra" (with primes before), higher ones "lined" (with primes after).

[French, yield] A musical directive to the performer to yield, or slow down.

little by little [French, little, small] French term for little. Typically used to modify tempo markings as in "peu à peu" meaning "little by little."

1. : against. used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra. 2. : in opposition or contrast to.

The most common examples of contra-accounts are the following:

• Contra Asset: Accumulated Depreciation, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.
• Contra Liability: Financing Fees, Original Issue Discount (OID)
• Contra Equity: Treasury Stock.

SANS RIGUEUR. (French) Proceed without precision or strictness. SANS TROP DE RIGUEUR DANS LA MESURE. (French) Proceed without too much rigor or strictness in the tempo.

rubato, (from Italian rubare, “to rob”), in music, subtle rhythmic manipulation and nuance in performance. For greater musical expression, the performer may stretch certain beats, measures, or phrases and compact others.

SANS PRESSER. (French) Without going faster or accelerating the pace.

pitched lower than contra-2. a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element: contralto, contrabassoon.

a. : the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures. the contrast between the two forms of government. b. : comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar qualities.

in opposition or contrast to 1. : against. used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra. 2. : in opposition or contrast to.

If you're invited to a ball or other social function and the invitation includes the French phrase costume de rigueur, you are expected to adhere to a very strict dress code - typically, a white tie and tails if you're a man and a floor-length evening gown if you're a woman.