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Dynamics and Tempo Terms
Italian words and abbreviations that tell musicians how loud, how fast and how to play.
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72 cards
- Piano (p)TermSoft
- Pianissimo (pp)TermVery soft
- Pianississimo (ppp)TermAs soft as possible
- Mezzo piano (mp)TermMedium soft
- Mezzo forte (mf)TermMedium loud
- Forte (f)TermLoud
- Fortissimo (ff)TermVery loud
- Fortississimo (fff)TermAs loud as possible
- Sforzando (sfz)TermA sudden strong accent
- CrescendoTermGradually getting louder
- DecrescendoTermGradually getting softer
- DiminuendoTermGradually getting softer
- SubitoTermSuddenly
- Fortepiano (fp)TermLoud then immediately soft
- LargoTermVery slow and broad
- LentoTermSlow
- AdagioTermSlow and at ease
- AndanteTermAt a walking pace
- ModeratoTermAt a moderate speed
- AllegrettoTermFairly fast, a little slower than allegro
- AllegroTermFast and lively
- VivaceTermLively and fast
- PrestoTermVery fast
- PrestissimoTermAs fast as possible
- AccelerandoTermGradually getting faster
- Ritardando (rit.)TermGradually getting slower
- RallentandoTermGradually slowing down
- RitenutoTermImmediately slower
- A tempoTermReturn to the original speed
- RubatoTermFlexible tempo, speeding up and slowing down expressively
- Tempo primoTermReturn to the first tempo
- LegatoTermSmooth and connected
- StaccatoTermShort and detached
- MarcatoTermMarked, with emphasis
- TenutoTermHeld for its full value
- PizzicatoTermPlucked with the finger on a string instrument
- ArcoTermPlayed with the bow
- CantabileTermIn a singing style
- DolceTermSweetly
- EspressivoTermWith expression
- MaestosoTermMajestically
- GraziosoTermGracefully
- GiocosoTermPlayfully
- ScherzandoTermPlayfully, jokingly
- AgitatoTermAgitated, restless
- Con brioTermWith spirit
- Con fuocoTermWith fire
- SostenutoTermSustained
- PocoTermA little
- MoltoTermVery, much
- MenoTermLess
- PiùTermMore
- Poco a pocoTermLittle by little
- SempreTermAlways
- AssaiTermVery
- Non troppoTermNot too much
- TuttiTermAll performers together
- SoloTermOne performer alone
- Da capo (D.C.)TermGo back to the beginning
- Dal segno (D.S.)TermGo back to the sign
- FineTermThe end
- CodaTermAn ending section
- TacetTermBe silent
- MezzoTermHalf or medium
- Alla breveTermCut time, two beats in a measure
- MetronomeTermA device that clicks a steady beat
- BPMTermBeats per minute
- Con sordinoTermWith a mute
- SenzaTermWithout
- MorendoTermDying away
- CalandoTermGrowing softer and slower
- AnimatoTermAnimated, with life
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