Music Terminology
| accelerando (accel.) growing faster al fine to the end a tempo in the original tempo coda a closing passage crescendo (cresc.) Increasing the volume or loudness of the tone da capo (D.C.) from the beginning D.C. al fine from the beginning to the word Fine (the finish or end) dal segno (D.S.) from the sign % D.S. al fine from the sign to the word Fine decrescendo (decresc.) decreasing the volume of the tone diminuendo (dim.) gradually softer dynamics expression produced by the different degrees of volume of the tone fermata U a pause or hold "hold & listen" fine the end forte (f) loud forte-piano (fp) accent strongly, diminishing immediately to piano fortissimo (ff) very loud forzando (fz) the note or chord strongly accented
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legato in a
smooth, connected manner, indicated by the slur mezzo half, medium mezzo forte (mf) moderately loud mezzo piano (mp ) moderately soft obbligato a counter-melody which complements the main theme and which constitutes an indispensable part of the composition octave an interval of eight diatonic sounds; notes an octave apart have the same letter name, but one of them is higher than the other pianissimo (pp) very softly piano (p) softly rallentando (rall.) gradually slower ritardando (rit.) retarding, gradually slowing the tempo segue follows on; continue sforzando (sfz.) with sudden force or emphasis staccato detached; cut short triplet a group of three notes played in the time usually given to two notes of the same value tutti all together |
| amoroso
affectionately animato animated; with spirit appassionato with passion and emotion bravura boldness brillante brilliant brio vigor, spirit capriccioso in a fanciful and capricious style con anima with animation and boldness con brio with vigor and brilliancy con espressione with expression con fuoco with fire and passion con moto with motion con spirito with spirit and energy dolce sweetly dolcissimo very sweetly dolore sorrow, sadness doloroso sadly elegante elegant, graceful energico energetic, vigorous espressivo expressively forza force, power, strength fuoco fire, energy furioso furious giocoso humorous giojoso joyous grandioso in a grand manner grave solemnly and very slowly grazioso gracefully impetuoso impetuous
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lamentoso
lamenting, sad largamente in a full, broad style legato in a smooth, connected manner, indicated by the slur leggiero lightly maestoso majestic, dignified marziale in a martial style misterioso mysteriously passionato passionate patetico pathetic pomposo pompous, grand risoluto in a resolute and bold manner scherzando playfully semplice in a simple, unaffected manner s spirito spirit, energy |