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Basic Musical Terms

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339064910Pianissimovery soft
339064911Pianosoft
339064912Mezzo Pianomedium soft
339064913Mezo Fortemedium loud
339064914Forteloud
339064915Fortissimovery loud
339064916Calandodiminuendo, usually within a rallentando
339064917Crescendogradual increase in volume
339064918Diminuendogradual decrease in volume, same as decrescendo
339064919Morendofading away
339064920Rinforzando, Sforzandosudden, sharp accent
339064921Gravevery slow, solemn
339064922Largovery slow, broad
339064923Larghettosomewhat faster than Largo
339064924Lentoslow
339064925Adagioslow, easy
339064926Adagiettosomewhat faster than Adagio
339064927Andantemoderate, "walking" tempo
339064928Andantinoa little faster than andante (warning: sometimes means a little slower than Andante)
339064929Moderatobetween andante and allegro
339064930Allegrettobetween Allegro and Andante
339064931Allegrofast
339064932Prestovery fast
339064933Prestissimoas fast as possible
339064934A Temporeturn to regular tempo after a ritard, accelerando, etc.
339064935Accelerandobecoming faster
339064936Allargandoslowing down and becoming broader
339064937Assaivery much
339064938Con Motowith motion
339064939Doppio Movimentotwice as fast
339064940L'Istessothe same
339064941Menoless
339064942Moltovery
339064943Mossomoved, agitated
339064944Non Tropponot too much
339064945Piumore
339064946Rallentandoslowing down
339064947Ritardandosame as rallentando
339064948Ritenutosuddenly slower
339064949Rubatoflexible, irregular tempo
339064950Sostenutosustained
339064951Stringendoquickening, with growing excitement
339064952Tempo Primoresume the original or first tempo
339064953Vivacelively
339064954Vivacissimovery quick
339064955Affetuosotender
339064956Agitatoexcited
339064957A Piacereat performer's discretion
339064958Ariosoin a singing style
339064959Calmatoquieted
339064960Catabilesinging
339064961Comodoeasy, comfortable
339064962Con Briowith vigor
339064963Con Calorewith warmth
339064964Con Fuocowith fire
339064965Dolcesweet
339064966Expressivoexpressive
339064967Giocosomerry
339064968Giustojust, right
339064969Graziosograceful
339064970Gustowith zest
339064971Legatosmooth
339064972Leggierolight
339064973Maestosomajestic
339064974Marcatostressed
339064975Mestosad
339064976Mezzomedium
339064977Pesanteemphatic, heavy
339064978Scherzandohumorous
339064979Semplivesimple
339064980Semprealways
339064981Staccatodetached
339064982Strepitosonoisy
339064983Tenutoheld

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