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Essential Musical Terminology Guide

This document defines and explains various musical terminology grouped into three categories: tempos, dynamics, and style. Tempos range from very slow (grave, largo) to very fast (presto, prestissimo). Dynamics describe volume levels from very soft (pp, p) to very loud (f, ff). Stylistic terms specify articulation, expression, and techniques such as accent, staccato, legato, tremolo and glissando. Other terms define structural sections and performance instructions.

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Ymerej J Chang
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Topics covered

  • dolce,
  • accelerando,
  • piano,
  • presto,
  • diminuendo,
  • adagio,
  • fortissimo,
  • poco a poco,
  • ritardando,
  • crescendo
231 views5 pages

Essential Musical Terminology Guide

This document defines and explains various musical terminology grouped into three categories: tempos, dynamics, and style. Tempos range from very slow (grave, largo) to very fast (presto, prestissimo). Dynamics describe volume levels from very soft (pp, p) to very loud (f, ff). Stylistic terms specify articulation, expression, and techniques such as accent, staccato, legato, tremolo and glissando. Other terms define structural sections and performance instructions.

Uploaded by

Ymerej J Chang
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topics covered

  • dolce,
  • accelerando,
  • piano,
  • presto,
  • diminuendo,
  • adagio,
  • fortissimo,
  • poco a poco,
  • ritardando,
  • crescendo
  • Musical Terminology: Cover page displaying the title 'Musical Terminology' indicating the document's focus.
  • Tempos: Lists different musical tempos, from very slow 'Grave' to gradually accelerating terms like 'Accelerando'.
  • Dynamics: Describes musical dynamics ranging from very soft 'pianissimo' to very loud 'fortissimo', including gradual changes like 'Crescendo'.
  • Style: Provides an overview of musical style notations such as 'Accent', 'Staccato', and 'Legato', for varied note articulation.
  • Other Terms: Explains other musical terms like 'Cadenza', 'Coda', and 'Tacet', used in musical instructions.

Jeremy Chang

MUSICAL
TERMINOLOGY
Tempos
 Grave - Very Slow
 Largo, Lento - Slow
 Larghetto - A little faster than Largo
 Adagio - Moderately Slow
 Andante - "Walking" Tempo
 Andantino - A little faster than Andante
 Allegretto - A little slower than Allegro
 Allegro - Fast
 Vivace - Lively
 Presto - Very Fast
 Prestissimo - Very Very Fast
 Moderato - Moderate(ly)
 Molto - Very
 Accel., Accelerando - Gradually becoming faster
 Rit., Ritardando - Gradually becoming slower
Dynamics
 pp – pianissimo – very soft
 p – piano – soft
 mp – mezzo-piano – moderately soft
 mf – mezzo-forte – moderately loud
 f – forte - loud
 ff – fortissimo – very loud
 Crescendo – gradually get louder
 Decrescendo/diminuendo - gradually get softer
 sfz – sforzando – suddenly loud
 fp – forte piano – loud then suddenly soft
 poco a poco …. – slowly ……….
Style
 Accent – emphasized note
 Marcato – stressed, pronounced note
 Tenuto – hold to full note value
 Staccato – short and detached
 Detache – light and detached
 Con brio – with vigor
 Con fuoco – with fire
 Dolce – sweet
 Expressivo – expressive
 Con moto – with motion
 A tempo – return to original tempo
 Legato – smooth
 Pizzicato – plucked
 Tremolo – short, rapidly repeated strokes (on one note)
 Glissando – sliding from one pitch to the next
Other Terms
 D.C. al fine – go to the end
 Bis – repeat
 Cadenza – extended solo section
 Coda – closing section of a movement
 Da Capo – from the beginning
 Dampfer – mute
 Tacet – silent
 Simile – continue in the same manner

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