Clinic All-State Terms

a poco

a little; gradually

grazioso

gracefully

a tempo

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

l’istesso

the same

accelerando

gradually faster

larghetto

slow, but not as slow as largo

adagietto

slow, but not as slow as adagio

largo

very slow

adagio

very slow

legato

smooth and connected

agitato

agitated; rapid

lento

very slow

al fine

to the finish

maestoso

majestically

alla

in the style of

marcato

marked; with emphasis

allargando

gradually slower and broader

marziale

martial

allegretto

light and moderately quick, but not as fast as allegro

meno

less

allegro

rapid; lively

mezzo

medium; half

andante

moderately slow, but moving

moderato

moderately

andantino

generally a little quicker than andante

molto

very

animato

animated; spirited

mosso

motion; movement

appassionato

intensely; passionately; with deep feeling

non troppo

not too much

brilliante

brilliantly

pianissimo

very softly

cantabile

in a singing style

piano

softly

chromatic

by semi-tones

poco

a little

coda

the final added measures of a musical composition

poco a poco

little by little

con anima

with animation; spirit

prestissimo

very fast; more so than presto

con brio

with spirit; brilliantly

presto

very fast

con forza

with force

rallentando

gradually slower

con grazia

with grace

ritardando

gradually slower

con spirito

with spirit; brilliance

ritenuto

a steady pace, but slower than the preceding tempo

crescendo

gradually louder

rubato

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

da capo

from the beginning

segno

the sign

dal segno

from the sign

sempre

always; continually

decrescendo

gradually softer

sforzando

forced; with emphasis

diminuendo

gradually softer

simile

the same

dolce

sweetly

soli

more than one performer in unison

energico

energetically

solo

a composition or passage for one preformer

etude

a study

sostenuto

sustained

fermata

a hold or pause

staccato

separated, detached style

forte

loud

subito

suddenly

fortissimo

very loud

tacet

silent

furioso

furiously

tempo

time; speed

grandioso

grand or noble style

tenuto

sustain full value

grave

very slow or solemn

vivace

vivacious; lively