K

K: 1. "Kochel", used instead of opus numbers to designate the works of Mozart. 2. "Kirkpatrick", used to designate the works of Domenico Scarlatti.

Kanon: Canon.

Kapellmeister: "Master of the chapel." Director of music for a church or royalty.

Key: The tonal center based on the tonic note of the scale.

Key Center: Chord progressions and static harmony that are diatonic to one tonality. i.e., In the key of C: iii-7,vi-7,ii-7,V7 (E min7, A min7, D min7 and G7) are part of the same Key Center which in this case is "C Major."

Key Signature: Sharps or flats written at the beginning of a staff line to indicate which pitches are to be raised or lowered from their natural state during the piece.

Kreuz: (Gr.) A sharp.

Kyrie: "Lord." In the Mass, the first part of the ordinary.