Tempo, Dynamics, and Articulation

lento

slow - snail pace

largo

slow and broad; slightly faster than lento

andante

at a walking pace - walking pace

allegro

fast or lively; to be played quickly - bunny pace

vivace

lively or brisk - dog pace

presto

quickly or swiftly; to be played lively or energetically - horse pace

a tempo

to return to original tempo

accelerando

gradually gets faster

ritardando

gradually gets slower

legato

tied together; playing or singing notes in a smooth, connected manner

slur

musical notation indicating music to be played without seperation

tied notes

a curved line connecting two or more notes of the same pitch; indicates that a note should be played as a single, longer note with a duration equal to the sum of individual values

staccto

detached; playing or singing notes in a detached way with a small silence between each note

staccatissimo

a very short staccato

accents

indicates that a note should be emphasized or stressed (through duration, volume, etc.)

marcato

indicates a note to be accented with more force

tenuto

to hold; indicates that a note should be held to its full value with slight stress

fermata

pause; indicates that a note should be held longer than its written duration (up to performer/conducter)

pianissimo

sung very soft

piano

sung soft

mezzo piano

sung medium soft

mezzo forte

sung medium loud

forte

sung loud

fortissimo

sung very loud

sforzando

performed with sudden emphasis, usually played with a loud and forceful attack