Grade 3 Theory Italian terms

Adagio

slow and stately

Allegro

fast and lively

Andante

at a walking pace

Accelerando (accel.)

gradually getting faster

Ritardando (rit.)

gradually getting slower

Rallentando (rall.)

gradually becoming slower and broader

A tempo

return to the original speed

Moderato

moderately

Presto

very fast

Lento

slow

Largo

broad and slow

Vivace

lively and quick

Forte (f)

loud

Piano (p)

soft

Fortissimo (ff)

very loud

Pianissimo (pp)

very soft

Crescendo (cresc.)

gradually getting louder

Decrescendo (decresc.) / Diminuendo (dim.)

gradually getting softer

Legato

smoothly connected

Staccato

detached and separated

Tenuto

held for full value

Dolce

sweetly

Cantabile

in a singing style

Con moto

with movement

Con brio

with spirit

Maestoso

majestically

Marcato

marked or accented

Da capo (D.C.)

from the beginning

Dal segno (D.S.)

from the sign

Fine

the end

Coda

a concluding passage

Fermata

a pause or hold

Tempo primo

return to the original tempo