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Musical Terms and Definitions
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Allegro
A fast, lively tempo.
Forte
To play loud or with strength.
Piano
To play softly or quietly.
Crescendo
A gradual increase in volume.
Diminuendo
A gradual decrease in volume.
Staccato
Notes played sharply and detached.
Legato
To play notes smoothly and connected.
Da Capo
Repeat from the beginning of the piece.
Dal Segno
Repeat from the sign (
Fine
The end of a piece or a section.
Andante
A walking pace tempo, moderate speed.
Adagio
A slow and leisurely tempo.
Vivace
A lively and fast tempo.
Ritardando
A gradual slowing down of the tempo.
Rallentando
A gradual slowing down of the tempo.
Sforzando
A sudden, strong accent on a note or chord.
Pianissimo
To play very softly, even softer than piano.
Fortissimo
To play very loud, louder than forte.
Pizzicato
Plucking the strings of a string instrument with fingers.
Arco
To play a string instrument with a bow.
Marcato
Played with marked emphasis or accentuation.
Accelerando
A gradual speeding up of the tempo.
Fermata
A pause of unspecified length on a note or rest.
Con Moto
With movement; used to indicate a certain tempo or slightly quicker.
Con Brio
With spirit or vigor; implies energetic, enthusiastic playing.
Molto
Very, much; used to emphasize another musical directive, as in 'molto allegro'.
Subito
Suddenly, immediately; indicates an abrupt change in dynamics or tempo.
Maestoso
Majestically, with dignity and grandeur.
Largo
In a very slow tempo, broadly.
Tranquillo
Tranquil, calm, or peaceful.
Sostenuto
Sustained, to lengthen the duration of a note beyond its usual value.
Espressivo
Expressive; to play with expression and emotion.
Agitato
Agitated; implies a restless or anxious character.
Con Affetto
With affection or tenderness.
Tenuto
Held; a note played for its full value, or slightly longer.
Mezzo Forte
Moderately loud; softer than forte but louder than piano.
Mezzo Piano
Moderately soft; louder than pianissimo but softer than piano.
Lento
Slowly; a tempo marking slower than 'Andante' but not as slow as 'Largo'.
Morendo
Dying away; both in tempo and volume.
Dolce
Sweetly and softly; often associated with a gentle, lyrical style.
Allargando
Broadening, becoming more stately and slower.
Animato
Animated, lively; to play with energy and spirit.
Pesante
Heavy, with emphasis and weight.
Cantabile
In a singing style, lyrical and flowing.
L'istesso Tempo
The same tempo; maintaining the tempo through a change in meter or rhythm.
Scherzando
Playful, joking; often light and brisk, sometimes with slight irony or in a teasing manner.
Tranquillo
Tranquil or calm; a directive to play quietly and peacefully.
Rubato
Robbed time; flexible tempo, stretching and compressing as needed for expressive purposes.
Glissando
A continuous slide upward or downward between two notes.
Senza
Without; used to indicate the omission of a usual part of the score.
Tremolo
A trembling or shaking effect, rapidly repeating the same note or alternating between two or more notes.
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