12:33 PM

List of Musical Terminology

A tempo – resume the normal speed after a diversion
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Accelerando (accel.) – gradually becoming faster
Adagio – slowly, leisurely
Ad libitum – at pleasure, quite freely
Agitato – with agitation
Allargando – broadening out, often with an increase of tone
Allegretto – moderately fast; slightly slower than allegro
Allegro – lively and reasonably fast
Andante – at an easy walking pace
Andantino – a little slower (or a little faster than Andante)
Animato – with animation
Arco – (for string players) with the bow
Attacca – go on at once

Ben marcato – well marked
Brilliante – sparkling, brilliant
Brio – vigour

Calando – getting softer and slower
Cantabile – in a singing style
Capo – the beginning
Con anima – with feeling
Con brio – with spirit
Con forza – with forza
Con grazia – with grace
Con moto – with movement
Con sordini – with the mutes
Crescendo (cresc.) – gradually becoming louder

Da Capo (D.C) – from the beginning
Dal capo al fine or D.C. al fine written under the last bar of apiece of section – the music is to be repeated right from the beginning until it reaches the word ‘fine (the end).

Dal Segno – from the sign ; the music is to be repeated from where the sign occurs earlier in the piece, then carrying on to the end.
Decrescendo (decresc.) – gradually becoming softer
Diminuendo (dim.) – gradually becoming softer
Dolce – soft and sweet

Forte (f) – loud
Forte-piano (fp) – loud then immediately soft
Fortissimo (ff) – very loud
Forzando (fz or sfz) – with a strong accent

Giocoso – gay, merry
Grave – very slowly
Grazioso – gracefully

Largo – slowly and stately, broad
Larghetto – slower than Largo
Legato – smoothly
Leggiero – lightly
Lento – slowly
Loco – at the normal pitch (generally after playing an octave higher)