Musical Terms

Flashcards containing musical terms and definitions.

Accelerando

Gradually faster

Accent

Strong attack

Adagio

Slowly

Ad libitum

At liberty

Agitato

Agitated; excited

Al fine

To the end

Maestoso

Majestic; with dignity

Ma non troppo

But not too much

Marcato

Marked; accented

Marcia

In march tempo and style

Meno mosso

Less movement; slower

Mezzo forte

Moderately loud

Mezzo piano

Moderately soft

Moderato

Moderate tempo

Molto

Very; much

Morendo

Dying away

Ottava

An octave higher

Pianissimo

Extremely soft

A tempo

At the original speed

Chromatic

Proceeding by half steps

Coda

A closing section

Comma

Breath or phrasing sign

Con brio

With life and fire

Con moto

With motion; not dragging

Con spirito

With spirit

Crescendo

Gradually louder

Da capo

Return to the beginning

Dal segno

Go back to the sign

Decrescendo

Gradually softer

Diminuendo

Gradually softer

Divisi

Divide on the parts

Fermata

Pause; hold; sustain

Fine

The end

Forte

Loud

Fortissimo

Very loud

Forzando

Accent; sudden emphasis

Largo

Slow and solemn

Legato

Smoothly connected; often slurred

Lento

Slowly

L'istesso tempo

No change in tempo

Vivace

Lively; rapid

Piano

Soft

Piu

More

Piu mosso

A little faster

Poco a poco

Little by little

Portato

Sustained; broad

Presto

Rapid; very quick

Rallentando

Gradually slower

Ritardando

Retarding; holding back

Semi-legato

Soft tonguing, almost slurred

Simile

Continue in the same way

Staccato

Short; separated; disconnected

Tacet

Silent

Tempo

Time; rate of movement

Tenuto

Hold full value or a little over

Tutti

All; together

Allegro

Quick; lively

Andantino

A little faster than andante

Animato

With life and spirit

Allegretto

Moderately fast

Allargando

Slower and louder

Andante

Moderately slow