Common Italian Musical Terms

Tempo, Dynamics, Articulation, Expression

Adagio

slow

Largo

very slow

Moderato

a medium pace

Andante

at a walking pace

Allegretto

medium-fast

Allegro

fast

Presto

very fast

Vivace

fast + lively

Pianissimo

very quiet

Piano

quiet

Mezzo-piano

medium quiet

Mezzo-forte

medium loud

Fortissimo

very loud

Sforzando

sudden loud accent

Diminuendo

gradually getting quieter

Crescendo

gradually getting louder

Legato

smooth

Staccato

short/ detached

Tenuto

held/ full length

Agitato

agitated

Animato

animated

Cantabile

in a singing style

Con brio

with spirit

Con moto

with movement

Dolce

sweetly

Espressivo

expressive

Grazioso

gracefully

Leggiero

light, nimble

Maestoso

majestic

Marcato

marked (more force/loud)

Tranquillo

calm

forte

loud

Rallentando

Slowing down gradually

Accelerando

Speeding up gradually