accelerando, accel.
becoming quicker
accent
a stressed note
adagio
slow
allegretto
fairly fast (a little slower than allegro)
allegro
fast
andante
moderately slow; at a walking pace
a tempo
return to the original tempo
breath mark
take a breath, and/or a slight pause or lift
cantabile
In a singing style
common time
a symbol for 4/4
crescendo, cresc.
becoming louder
da capo, D.C.
from the beginning
dal segno, D.S.
from the sign
D.C. al Fine
repeat from the beginning and end at Fine
decrescendo, decresc.
becoming softer
diminuendo, dim.
becoming softer
dolce
sweet, gentle
double bar line
indicates the end of a piece
down bow
on a bowed string instrument, play the note while bowing downward
fermata (pause)
hold the note or rest longer than it's written value
fine
the end
forte
loud
fortissimo
very loud
grazioso
graceful
legato
smooth
lento
slow
maestoso
majestic
mano destra, m.d.
right hand
mano sinstra, m.s.
left hand
marcato
marked or stressed
mezzo forte
moderately loud
mezzo piano
moderately soft
moderato
at a moderate tempo
molto
much, very
ottava, 8va
the interval of an octave
pianissimo
very soft
piano
soft
poco
little
prestissimo
as fast as possible
presto
very fast
rallentando, rall.
slowing down
repeat sign
repeat the music within the double bar lines
ritardando, rit.
slowing down gradually
slur
play the notes smoothly (legato)
staccato
detached
tempo
speed at which music is performed
Tempo primo (Tempo I)
return to the original tempo
tenuto
held, sustained
tie
hold for the combined value of tied notes
up bow
on a bowed string instrument, play the note while drawing the bow upward
vivace
lively, brisk