Orchestra Semester 1

Vocabulary terms CHS 2025-2026! Symphonic Orchestra

sfz (sforzando)

strong accent

Andante

walking pace

meno

less

mosso

Animated/rapid

Moderato

moderate tempo

II: :II

repeat

>

accent

poco a poco

little by little

f Lane: 4

forte, loud

p Lane: 2

piano, soft

pp Lane: 1

pianissimo, very soft

ff Lane: 4-5

fortissimo, very loud

pesante

heavy

morendo

dying away

dim. | diminuendo

gradually grows softer

rit. | ritardando

slow down gradually

fermata

Hold (watch)

d.s. al fine

return to the sign end at the 'fine'

piu

more

d.c. al fine

return to the beginning, end at the 'fine'

cesura //

complete break or stop

fp

play loudly then immediately get soft

mf Lane: 3

mezzo forte, medium loud

mp Lane: 2

mezzo piano, medium soft

Allegro

tempo marking meaning quickly

Vivace

tempo marking meaning very fast

dolce

sweetly

cantabile

singingly

moto

motion, movement

con | avec

with

calore

warmly, with warmth

sonore

resonant

L'istesso

same tempo as before

stringendo

Tightening to push the music forward, gain speed

Subito

suddenly

Sul tasto

over the fingerboard

Ponticello

at/on the bridge

Sordino

mute

Senza

without