Orchestra Dynamics and Character/Expression terms

Mezzo

half of

forte

loud

fortissimo

very loud

mf

half as loud as forte

piano

soft

pianissimo

very soft

mp

half as soft as piano

crescendo

getting louder

decressendo

becoming softer

calando

becoming softer and slower

a piacere

performing freely (pleasure)

ad libitum

performing freely (at freedom)

brilliante

brilliantly

brio/con brio

enthusiasm/with enthusiasm

con spirito

with spirit

canatabile

in a singing style

capriccioso

capriciously, whimsical

dolce

sweetly

espressivo

expressively

fuoco/ con fuoco

fire/with fire

giocoso

playful, humorous

grazioso

gracefully

largamente

broadly

marcato

accentuated

marcatissimo

very accentuated

pesante

heavy

portato

lengthened, sustained

risoluto

energetic

secco

dry

sostenuto/tenuto

sustained

tranquillo

tranquil

detache

detached bow strokes

fermata

hold the note longer

restez

stay in same position

sforzando

sudden strong accent

subito

suddenly

ossia

or, another way of playing