a, a
at, by, for, with
absolute music
music without association outside itself, in contrast to ‘program music’
a capella
“In the manner of the chapel,” without (instrumental) accompaniment
accelerando
becoming faster
accelerato
accelerated
accent, accento
to emphasize or stress a note
accopiato
tied
achromatic
diatonic
adagietto
a tempo not quite as slow as adagio
adagio
“at ease,” a slow tempo between largo and andante
adagissimo
very slow tempo
ad libitum
“at will,” the performer may improvise freely, omit parts, or vary the tempo
afflito
sorrowfully, sadly, mournfully
affrettando
hurrying
agilmente
with agility, quickly & easily
agitato
agitated, excited, hurried, restless
al coda
“to the coda”
aleatoric
music where elements, such as pitch & rhythm, are chosen by the performer, circa 1945
al fine
to the end
alla breve
“according to the breve,” a duple time, usually 2/2
allargando
growing broader and, therefore, slower
allegretto
a light, cheerful, fast tempo; not quite as fast as Allegro
allegro
“cheerful,” a lively fast tempo
allegro assai
very fast
allegro di bravura
fast, bright, spirited
allegro di molto
very fast, animated
allegro giusto
fast, steady, with enthusiasm
allegro moderato
moderately fast