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Musical Terms 101
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Sforzando (sfz)
A sudden, forceful accent.
Molto
Very or much; typically used to augment another term.
Meno
Less, as in meno mosso (less movement) or meno forte (less loud).
Forte
A dynamic marking indicating to play loud or strong.
Crescendo
Gradually increasing in volume.
Fermata
To hold a note or rest longer than its normal duration.
Pizzicato
Plucking the strings of a string instrument rather than using the bow.
Sostenuto
Sustained, or played in a manner that gives an elongated effect to the notes.
Scherzando
Playful or joking; often found in music with a light or playful character.
Mezzo Piano
A dynamic marking indicating moderately soft.
Pianissimo
A dynamic marking indicating very softly.
Fine
The end of a piece or a section.
Espressivo
Play with expression, conveying emotion or feeling.
Staccato
Notes played in a detached, separated manner.
Diminuendo
Gradually decreasing in volume.
Piano
A dynamic marking indicating to play softly or quietly.
Ritardando
Gradually slowing down the tempo.
Legato
Smooth and connected style of playing.
Subito
Suddenly or immediately; often used to indicate an abrupt change.
Tempo Primo
Return to the original tempo after a deviation.
Trill
A musical ornament consisting of the rapid alternation between two adjacent notes.
Simile
In the same way; indicates the continuation of a technique or articulation.
Grave
Very slow and solemn tempo.
Rubato
Flexible in tempo, involving subtle speeding up and slowing down of the music.
Accelerando
Gradually increasing the tempo.
Lento
A tempo marking indicating a slow pace.
Adagio
A tempo marking indicating slow and leisurely pace.
Marcato
Played with emphasis or marked accentuation.
Maestro
A title of respect used for a distinguished musician, typically a conductor or teacher.
Da Capo (D.C.)
From the beginning; an indication to repeat from the start of the piece.
Da Capo al Fine
From the beginning to the end; indicates a repetition from the beginning of the piece up to the word 'Fine'.
Andante
A moderate walking tempo.
Poco a Poco
Little by little; indicates a gradual change in tempo or dynamics.
Glissando
A continuous slide upward or downward between two notes.
Con Moto
With movement; a directive to play with motion or to move the music forward.
Coda
The concluding passage of a piece or movement.
Rallentando
Gradually slowing down the tempo; similar to ritardando.
Pesante
Heavy and firm; indicates a weighty, solid manner of performance.
Mezzo Forte
A dynamic marking indicating moderately loud.
Dolce
Sweetly and softly; often indicates a gentle, tender quality.
Piu
More, as in piu forte (louder) or piu lento (slower).
Appoggiatura
A non-harmonic note that resolves into a harmonic note, creating a dissonant effect temporarily.
Allegro
A fast, lively tempo.
Largo
Very slow and broad tempo.
Fortissimo
A dynamic marking indicating very loud.
Tenuto
To hold a note for its full value or slightly more; can indicate stress or emphasis.
Vivace
A tempo marking indicating lively and fast.
Presto
A very fast tempo.
Dal Segno (D.S.)
From the sign; an indication to return to a marked place in the music.
Allegretto
A tempo mark slightly slower than Allegro but faster than Andante.
Cantabile
In a singing style; lyrical and flowing.
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