A tempo In time Ben Well
Accelerando Brio Vigour
Gradually getting faster
(Accel)
Cantabile In a singing style
Ad libitum (Ad lib.) At choice
Cantando Singing
Adagio Slow
Come As, similar to
Affettuoso Tenderly
Comodo At a comfortable speed
Agitato Agitated
Con, col With
Al, alla In the style of
Crescendo (Cresc.) Gradually getting louder
Alla breve With a minim beat
Da capo (D.C.) Repeat from beginning
Allargando Broadening
Dal segno (D.S.) Repeat from “S” sign
Allegretto Fairly quick
Deciso With determination
Allegro Fast
Decrescendo
Gradually getting quieter
Allegro assai Very fast (Decresc.)
Allegro moderato Moderately fast Diminuendo (Dim.) Gradually getting quieter
Amabile Amiable, pleasant Dolce Sweet, soft
Andante At a walking pace Dolore Grief, sorrow
Andantino Slightly faster than andante Doloroso Sorrowful
Animato Animated, lively Douce Sweet
Animé Animated, lively E, ed And
Appassionato With passion Energico Energetic
Assai Very Espressivo
Expressive
(espress.)
Attacca Go immediately to next section
Fine The end
Forte (f) Loud Meno Less
Fortepiano (fp) Loud, then immediately soft Mesto Sad
Fortissimo (ff) Very Loud Mezzo Half
Forza Force Mezzo forte (mf) Moderately loud
Giocoso Playful, merry Mezzo piano (mp) Moderately quiet
Grave Very slow, solemn Misterioso Mysteriously
Grazioso Graceful Moderato Moderate speed
Langsam Slow Modéré At a moderate speed
Largamente Broadly Molto Very much
Larghetto Rather slow Morendo Dying away
Largo Slow and stately Mosso Movement
Lebhaft Lively Moto Movement
Legato Smoothly Niente Nothing (silence)
Leggiero Light, nimble Non Not
Lent Slow Perdendosi Dying away
Lento Slow Pesante Heavy
Ma But Pianissimo (pp) Very quiet
Maestoso Majestic Piano (p) Quiet
Marcato (marc.) Emphatic, accented Più More
Marcia March Poco A little
Mässig At a moderate speed Poco a poco Little by little
Sforzato (sfz) Forced, accented
Prestissimo As fast as possible Simile (sim.) In the same way
Presto Fast (faster than allegro) Smorzando
Dying away in tone and speed
(smorz.)
Prima, primo First
Sonoro Resonant, with a rich tone
Quasi As if, resembling
Sostenuto Sustained
Rallentando (Rall.) Gradually getting slower
Sotto voce In an undertone
Retenu Held back
Spirito Spirit
Rinforzando (rf,
Reinforcing Staccato (stacc.) Detached
rfz, rinf.)
Risoluto Bold, strong Stringendo Gradually getting faster
Ritardando (rit., Subito (sub.) Suddenly
Gradually getting slower
ritard.)
Tempo Speed, time
Ritenuto (rit.,
Held back
riten.)
Tenuto Held
Ritmico Rhythmically
Tranquillo Calm
Rubato With some freedom of time
Traurig Sad
Ruhig Peaceful
Tristamente, Triste Sorrowful
Scherzando Playfully, joking
Troppo Too much
Schnell Fast
Vite Quick
Semplice Simple, plain
Vivace, vivo Lively, quick
Sempre Always
Senza Without
Sforzando (sf) Forced, accented
