Largo
Very slow, stately, broad
Grave
Slow, seriously, solemnly
Adagio
Slow, at ease, with expression
Lento
Slow
Andante
Going, moving (moderately)
Andantino
Somewhat faster than Andante
Moderato
Medium speed, moderate
Allegretto
Moderately fast
Vivace
Vivacious, fast
Presto
Fast
Prestissimo
Very fast (superlative)
Accelerando
Gradual increase in speed
Affretando
Hurrying, increase in speed
Piu Mosso
With more motion
Stringendo
Pressing onward, flying away, tightening
Veloce
Increased speed of movement
Velocissimo
With the utmost velocity
Allargando
Slowing and broadening
Meno Mosso
With lessening motion
Molto Meno Mosso
Much slower
Pianissimo
(pp) Very soft
Piano
(p) Soft
Mezzo Piano
(mp) Medium soft
Mezzo Forte
(mf) Medium loud
Forte
(f) Loud
Fortissimo
(ff) Very loud
Sforzando
(sf or sfz) One note or chord to be played with stress or force
Forzando
(fz) Same as sforzando
Crescendo
Increasing, gradually becoming louder
Decrescendo
Decreasing, gradually becoming softer
Diminuendo
Diminishing, gradually becoming softer
Alla Breve
Cut time
Articulation
The grouping of the notes as to tonguing and slurring
Brillante
Brilliantly, sparkling
Cadenza
A passage showing individual technique
Coda
An ending passage
Con Sordino
With mute
Da Capo
(D.C.) From the beginning
Dal Segno
(D.S.) From the sign
Divisi
Divided parts
Embouchure
The formation of the lips for playing an instrument
Etude
A study or exercise
Fermata
A hold or pause
Fine
The end
Key
Mechanism of piano or some other instrument. A scale, the key being its first note
L’istesso
The same
Note
A symbol that indicates duration. When placed on a staff with a clef, a symbol of pitch
Pitch
The number of vibrations per second; highless or lowness of a tone
Rallentando
Gradually slower and slower
Ritardando
Gradually slower
Rubato
Lengthening certain notes to be given expression
Simile continue
In a like manner
Soli
A leading passage involving a whole section of performers
Solo
A selection or leading passage by one performer
Tacet
Omit this section
Timbre
Characteristic sound of an instrument or voice, quality, color
Tone
Has pitch, duration, timbre, loudness; produced by a regular vibration of elastic body
Tutti
All playing together
-etto
Diminutive ending – less, becoming less, almost
-issimo
Superlative ending – most, more than
Morendo
Dying away slowly be degrees, gradually slower and softer
Ritenuto
Detained, suddenly slower, generally for a short period
Ritenuto
Detained, suddenly slower, generally for a short period
Smorzando
Rapidly dminishing the tempo and volume
Legato
Sound, smoothly connected
Leggiero
Lightly
Marcato
Well marked, with emphasis
Pesante
Heavy
Peino
Full
Portamento
Carrying over from one tone to another
Sostenuto
Sustained
Staccato
Detached (short)
Tenuto
Held full value
Affettuoso
Tenderly
Animato
Animated, spirited, usually faster
Appassionato
Passionate
Bravura
Skill, dexterity, brilliance
Brio
Spirit, animation
Calmato
Calm, quiet, tranquil
Calore
Warmth
Cantabile
In a singing style
Dolce
Sweetly, mild
Doloroso
Sad
Espressivo
Expressively
Forza
Force, strength
Fuocco
With fire
Furioso
Furiously
Giocoso
Playful
Grazioso
Graceful
Maestoso
Majestic, stately
Marcia
March-like
Marziale
Martial
Misterioso
Mysteriously
Tempo markings (slowest to fastest)
Largissimo
Largo
Larghetto
Grave (generally)
Lento (very slow)
Adagio (to slow?)
Adagietto
Andante
Andantino (medium)
Moderato
Allegretto
Allegro (generally)
Vivace (fast)
Veloce (to?)
Presto (very fast)
Prestissimo