Table of Common Tempo Terms
The following Iralian expression marks are often found at the beginning of a piece of music to indicate the
tempo (or speed) of the picce. They are listed here from slowest to fastest and are all relative. They do not signify
an absolute rate of speed.
Lento Slowly
Andante Gracefully, [Link] tempo
Andantino Generallyinterpreted as a bit faster than Andante
Moderato Moderately
Allegretto Moderately fast
Allegro Quickly
Presto Very Quickly
Here are some other tecrms to indiate a change of tempo:
Ritardando (ri) Gradually slower
Accelerando (acel) Gradually faster
Fermata ( ) Hold a note longer than its original value
A Tempo Return to original tempo
Rubato Frely slowing down or spceding up
Dynamic Markings
Dynamic markings indicate the volume of a particular pasage of muic. These terms are also relative, and as
with all expresive devices, it is ulimately the performer's decision, taking into account the composer's wishes, as
to the interprecation of a piece of music
PP pianisimo) Very soft
(piano) Soft
np (mzopiano) Moderately soft
uf (mezzo-forie) Moderately loud
(fore) Loud
Jfortisimo) Very loud
Crescendo Gradually louder
Decrescendo (also diminuendo) Gradually softer
Repeat Markings
D.C l Fine Return to the beginning and play to the Fine.
D.S. al Fine Return to the S and play to the Fine.
D.C al Coda Reiurn to the beginning, play to the and skip to the Coda
D.S. al Coda Rerurn to the , play to the and skip to the Coda
Multiple Endings: Play until the repeat sign and the return to the facing repeat sign (beginning of piece). On the
sccond time through, skip the lst ending and instcad play the 2nd ending.
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