crescendo, cresc. - becoming louder

decrescendo, decresc. , diminuendo, dim. - becoming softer

forte - loud

fortissimo - very loud

mezzo forte - moderately loud

mezzo piano - moderately soft

piano - soft

pianissimo - very soft

slur - play the notes smoothly (legato)

staccato - detached

accent - a stressed note

detached

smoothly, connected