Term 1

a poco

Definition 1

a little; gradually

Term 2

a tempo

Definition 2

in time; generally implies a return to original rate of speed

Term 3

accelerando

Definition 3

(accel.) gradually faster
-

Term 4

adagietto

Definition 4

slow, but not as slow as adagio

Term 5

adagio

Definition 5

very slow

Term 6

agitato

Definition 6

agitated; rapid
-

Term 7

al fine

Definition 7

to the finish

Term 8

alla

Definition 8

in the style of (such as alla marcia-in the style of a march)

Term 9

allargando

Definition 9

(allarg.) gradually slower and broader
-

Term 10

allegretto

Definition 10

light and moderately quick, but not as fast as allegro

Term 11

allegro

Definition 11

rapid; lively

Term 12

andante

Definition 12

(andte) moderately slow, but moving
-

Term 13

andantino

Definition 13

generally a little quicker than andante

Term 14

animato

Definition 14

spirited

Term 15

appassionato

Definition 15

intensely; passionately; with deep feeling
-

Term 16

arioso

Definition 16

in vocal style (also see "cantabile")

Term 17

assai

Definition 17

very (such as allegro assai-very fast)

Term 18

ben

Definition 18

well (such as ben marcato-well marked)
-

Term 19

brilliante

Definition 19

brilliantly

Term 20

calando

Definition 20

gradually slower and softer

Term 21

cantabile

Definition 21

in a singing style
-

Term 22

chromatic

Definition 22

by semi-tones

Term 23

coda

Definition 23

the final added measures of a musical composition usually marked with

Term 24

con

Definition 24

with
-

Term 25

con amore

Definition 25

with tenderness

Term 26

con anima

Definition 26

with animation; spirited

Term 27

con brio

Definition 27

with spirit; brilliantly
-

Term 28

con forza

Definition 28

with force

Term 29

con fuoco

Definition 29

with fire, energy

Term 30

con grazia

Definition 30

with graceful style
-

Term 31

con spirito

Definition 31

with spirit, brilliance

Term 32

crescendo

Definition 32

(cres.) ()-gradually louder

Term 33

da capo

Definition 33

(D.C.) from the beginning
-

Term 34

dal segno

Definition 34

(D.S.) from the sign

Term 35

decrescendo

Definition 35

gradually softer

Term 36

diminuendo

Definition 36

gradually softer
-

Term 37

dolce

Definition 37

sweetly

Term 38

energico

Definition 38

energetically

Term 39

etude

Definition 39

a study
-

Term 40

fermata

Definition 40

a hold or pause

Term 41

forte

Definition 41

loud

Term 42

fortissimo

Definition 42

(ff) very loud
-

Term 43

forzando

Definition 43

forcefully accented

Term 44

furioso

Definition 44

furiously

Term 45

giocoso

Definition 45

joyfully
-

Term 46

grandioso

Definition 46

grand or noble style

Term 47

grave

Definition 47

very slow and solemn

Term 48

grazioso

Definition 48

gracefully
-

Term 49

l'istesso

Definition 49

the same (such as l'istesso tempo- the same speed)

Term 50

larghetto

Definition 50

slow, but not as slow as largo

Term 51

larghissimo

Definition 51

very slow; more so than largo
-

Term 52

largo

Definition 52

very slow

Term 53

legato

Definition 53

smooth and connected

Term 54

leggiero

Definition 54

lightly
-

Term 55

lento

Definition 55

very slow

Term 56

maestoso

Definition 56

majestically

Term 57

marcato

Definition 57

marked; with emphasis
-

Term 58

marcia

Definition 58

march style

Term 59

marziale

Definition 59

martial

Term 60

meno

Definition 60

less (such as meno mosso-less movement; slower)
-

Term 61

moderato

Definition 61

moderately

Term 62

molto

Definition 62

very

Term 63

morendo

Definition 63

dying away
-

Term 64

mosso

Definition 64

motion; movement

Term 65

moto

Definition 65

motion; movement

Term 66

non troppo

Definition 66

not too much
-

Term 67

opus

Definition 67

(op.) a musical work or composition

Term 68

ottava

Definition 68

(8va)-an octave (such as ottava alta-octave higher; ottava bassa-octave lower)

Term 69

pesante

Definition 69

heavily; with emphasis
-

Term 70

pianissimo

Definition 70

(pp) very softly

Term 71

piano

Definition 71

softly

Term 72

piu

Definition 72

more (such as piu lento-slower; piu mosso-faster)
-

Term 73

poco

Definition 73

a little (such as poco animato-a little more animated; poco meno -a little less)

Term 74

poco a poco

Definition 74

little by little

Term 75

prestissimo

Definition 75

very fast; more so than presto
-

Term 76

presto

Definition 76

very fast

Term 77

primo

Definition 77

first

Term 78

rallentando

Definition 78

(rall.) gradually slower
-

Term 79

religioso

Definition 79

in solemn style

Term 80

ritardando

Definition 80

(rit.) gradually slower

Term 81

ritenuto

Definition 81

a steady pace, but slower than preceding tempo
-

Term 82

rubato

Definition 82

temporary irregularity of time, lengthening certain notes at the expense of others

Term 83

scherzando

Definition 83

in light, playful style

Term 84

scherzo

Definition 84

playfully; usually in rapid tempo with rhythmic and dynamic contrasts
-

Term 85

segno

Definition 85

the sign

Term 86

sempre

Definition 86

always; continually

Term 87

senza

Definition 87

without
-

Term 88

sforzando

Definition 88

(sfz) forced; with emphasis

Term 89

simile

Definition 89

the same; continue in same manner

Term 90

smorzando

Definition 90

(smorz.) dying away
-

Term 91

soli

Definition 91

more than one performer in unison

Term 92

solo

Definition 92

a composition or passage for one performer

Term 93

sordino

Definition 93

mute (con sordino- with mute; senza sordino- without mute)
-

Term 94

sostenuto

Definition 94

sustained

Term 95

staccato

Definition 95

separated, detached style

Term 96

stringendo

Definition 96

(string.) gradually faster
-

Term 97

subito

Definition 97

suddenly

Term 98

tacet

Definition 98

silent

Term 99

tempo

Definition 99

time; speed
-

Term 100

tempo di valse

Definition 100

waltz time

Term 101

tenuto

Definition 101

(ten.) sustain full value; also marked

Term 102

valse

Definition 102

waltz
-

Term 103

veloce

Definition 103

very fast

Term 104

vivace

Definition 104

vivacious; lively

Term 105

vivo

Definition 105

lively, brisk
-

Term 106

mezzo

Definition 106

medium; half (such as mezzo-forte-medium loud; mezzo-piano-medium soft)