Defense of music
...ttle". Used in combination with tempo markings. e.g., ACCEL. POCO A POCO means to increase the speed gradually over a span of measures. Terms relating to DYNAMICS (from soft to loud): PIANISSIMO (abbr: pp). Very soft PIANO (abbr: p). Soft MEZZO Medium or moderately MEZZO PIANO (abbr: mp). Medium soft MEZZO FORTE (abbr: mf). Moderately loud FORTE (abbr: f). Loud FORTISSIMO (abbr: ff) Very loud DIMINUENDO (abbr: dim.) or the sign means gradually getting softer CRESCENDO (abbr: cresc.) or the sign means gradually getting louder POCO A POCO "Little by little". Indicates a gradual increase or decrease in volume of sound; e.g., CRESC> POCO A POCO means to increase the volume gradually. ACCENT A stress on notes so marked SFORZANDO (abbr: sfz) A strongly accented note or chord SFORZATO (abbr: sfp) strongly accented by then immediately PIANO SUBITO Suddenly. Usually to indicate a dramatically sudden change in dynamic level of sound; e.g., from pp to SUBITO ff. Terms relating to STYLE: AGITATO With agitation- excitedly ALLA In the style of (always used with other words) e.g., ALLA MARCIA- in the style of a march. CON With (as a connecting word), e.g., ANDANTE CON AMORE- slowly, with tenderness ANIMATO With animation, in a spirited manner APPASSIONATO With intensity and depth of feeling BRILLANTE Bright, sparkling, brilliant BRIO Vigor, spirit CANTABILE In a singing style DOLCE Sweetly and softly ENERGICO, CON With expression FUOCO, CON With fire or much energy GRANDIOSO In a noble, elevated style GRAZIA, CON With a graceful, flowing style LEGATO Smooth and connected, in a flowing manner (Opposite of STACCATO) MAESTOSO With majesty and grandeur MARCATO In a marked and emphatic style PESANTE Heavily, every note with marked emphasis QUASI In the manner of; e.g., QUASI UNA FANTASIA- in the style of a fantasia SCHERZANDO In a light playful and sportive manner SCHERZO A jest, one of the movements of certain symphonies, a composition of light and playful character SECCO Dry, plain, without ornamentation SEMPRE Always; e.g., SEMPRE STACCATO- to continue playing in a short and detached style SPIRITO, CON With spirit, or animation STACCATO Short and detached, with distinct precision (the opposite of LEGATO) TENUTO Sustained for the full time-value TRANQUILLO With tranquility, quietly, restfully Combinations of terms (Tempo and Style): LARGO MA NON TROPPO Slow, but not too slow (ma = but) ADAGIO CANTABILE E SOSTENUTO ('e' = and) Very slow and in a sustained and singing style ANDANTINO, CON AFFETUOSO Faster than ANDANTE, with tender feeling ALLEGRETTO CON GRAZIA A moving tempo with a graceful flowing style ALLEGRO AGITATO Quick with agitation POCO PIU MOSSO A little quicker ALLEGRO CON MOLTO SPIRITO Fast with much spirit ANDANTE MAESTOSO Rather slow-moving tempo, majestic feeling PRESTO CON LEGGIEREZZA Very fast with lightness and delicacy *NOTE: Many more combinations are possible. Combine some tempo and style terms on your own. Miscellaneous Terms: ACCIDENTALS Flats and double flats, naturals, sharps and double sharps ALLA BREVE "Cut time" The half-note is the unit of the meter ARPEGGIO A broken chord (Each note of the chord played in succession) ATTACCA Beg...