pizzicato (pizz.)

pluck with the fingers

arco

play with the bow (only used if the player
has previously been instructed to pluck)

bowing direction for down-bow

bowing direction for up-bow

sul G

play on the G string
(the lowest pitched of the four strings of a violin)

sul D

play on the D string
(the next string up from the G string on a violin)

con sordini (con sord.) / avec sourdines

with mutes

senza sordini (senza sord.) / sans sourdines

without mutes

play all the notes in the slur with one bow-stroke

Trill

upper mordent

lower mordent

turn

acciaccatura

Appoggiatura

comodo/tempo comodo

convenient/at a comfortable speed

con brio

with vigour, lively

larghetto

rather slow

rubato/tempo rubato

with some freedom of time

stringendo

gradually getting faster

affettuoso

tenderly

amabile

pleasant (like the word 'amiable)

appassionato

with passion

mesto

sad

deciso

with determination

misterioso

mysterious

ritmico

rhythmically

alla breve

with a minim beat

assai

very (allegro assai - very quick)

come prima

as before

animé

animated, lively

douce

sweet

lent

slow

modéré

at a moderate speed

retenu

held back

vite

quick