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Da Capo, to repeat from the beginning of the piece

To the tail, go to coda (concluding section) after repeating

Ritardando, gradually slow down the tempo

Rallentando, gradually slowing down the tempo

On the fingerboard, a direction for string players to bow over the fingerboard

On the bridge, a direction for string players to bow close to the bridge

Hold the note for its full value, maybe slightly longer

A rapid alternation between two adjacent notes

With motion, to play with movement; not too slowly

Fortississimo, to play extremely loudly

Dal Segno, to repeat from the sign

Accelerando, gradually speed up the tempo

Pedal, depress the damper pedal on the piano

Release the damper pedal on the piano

Return to the original tempo of the piece

The end, indicates the end of a piece or a section

Ottava alta, play an octave higher than written

Slowly, a slow tempo marking

Marked, a note played with emphasis

A complete break in sound, a pause or interruption in the music

Continue in the same manner, carry on the same playing technique

Grand Pause, a dramatic full pause or complete silence in the music

Without, used with other terms (e.g., 'senza vibrato')

Da Capo al Fine, repeat from the beginning to the word Fine

Dal Segno al Coda, repeat from the sign to the coda section

Crescendo, gradually increase loudness

Diminuendo, gradually decrease in loudness

A pause, hold the note longer than its value

Little by little, gradually (used with other terms like rit. or cresc.)

Lively and fast, a tempo marking

With mute, use a mute on the instrument

One string, press the soft pedal to reduce the volume and change the tone on the piano

To play notes sharply and detached

At the normal pitch, cancel an 8va or 8vb octave sign

Ottava bassa or 8va bassa, play an octave lower than written

To the end, go to the designated end of the piece after repeating

Sforzando, a strong, sudden emphasis on a note or chord

To play smoothly and connected

Glissando, slide quickly over keys or strings

Pianissimo, to play very softly

Maelzel's Metronome, a device to measure beats per minute