Expressive Devices

Criterion 5 and 6

Crescendo

Crescendo

Gradually becoming louder

Decrescendo/Diminuendo

Gradually becoming softer

Sforzando

Suddenly or strongly accented

Staccato

Short and detached

Pizzicato

Where a stringed instrument is to be plucked

Arco

Where a stringed instrument is to be played with the bow (used after pizzicato)

Tremolo

The rapid repetition of one or two notes produced by a bow on a string instrument

Rallentando

Gradually becoming slower

Ritardando

Gradually becoming slower

Ritenuto

Held back (ie. immediately slower)

Legato

Smoothly or well connected