Meaning & use
tacet in music
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrasetechnicalmusic
An instruction in written music meaning that a performer or instrument stays silent for a passage or movement.
Grammar: Used as a direction on a score; it is not normally put into ordinary sentences about everyday life.
Patterns
- marked tacet in music
- the tacet in music means
The cellos are tacet in music for the whole second movement.
When you see 'tacet in music' on the part, do not play during that section.
The conductor explained that tacet in music simply means a long rest.
Common combinations
- tacet for a movement
- The trumpets are tacet for a movement.
- marked tacet
- The part is marked tacet in the score.
- tacet indication
- The tacet indication tells the player to rest.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rest
- A general word for a pause in music; 'tacet' specifically tells a whole part to stay silent.
Word family
- tacet adverb
- The Latin-derived musical direction meaning 'it is silent'.
Commonly confused: tacet in music or tacit?
tacet in music vs tacit
Tacit means understood without being said, as in 'tacit agreement'; it has nothing to do with music.
Practice
In a musical score, what does 'tacet' tell a performer to do?
Choose one answer.
'Tacet' means the part is silent, so the performer rests. 'Play more loudly' would be a dynamic marking, not 'tacet'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tacet in music”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.