
Due to many influential composers living in Italy in the Renaissance period, the standard language of music still today is Italian. Therefore, we have written a compact glossary of music terms. This article should give answers to the most important and common musical markings that appear in our – and generally any – sheet music.
The subcategories:
- Dynamics (static and changes)
- Tempo markings
- Expressive terms
- Articulation terms
- Chord symbols
Dynamics
Static Dynamics
Symbol | Pronounciation | Meaning |
---|
ppp | Piano pianissimo | Extremely soft |
pp | Pianissimo | Very soft |
p | Piano | Soft |
mp | Mezzo-piano | Half soft |
mf | Mezzo-forte | Half loud |
f | Forte | Loud |
ff | Fortissimo | Very loud |
fff | Forte fortissimo | Extremely loud |
Changes of Dynamics
Italian Term | Translation |
---|
Crescendo | Becoming louder |
Decrescendo | See 'Diminuendo' |
Diminuendo | Becoming softer |
Tempo Markings
Italian Term | Translation |
---|
Lento | Very slow |
Adagio | Slow |
Andante | Moderately slow, “at a walking pace” |
Moderato | At a moderate speed |
Allegro | Fast |
Presto | Very fast |
Prestissimo | Extremely fast |
Meno mosso | A new, slower tempo |
Piú mosso | A new, faster tempo |
Ritardando | Slowing |
Accelerando | Accelerating |
Expression and Moods
Italian Term | Translation |
---|
Cantabile | In a singing style (often ‘legato’) |
Dolce | Sweetly |
Espressivo | Expressively |
Maestoso | Majestically |
Misterioso | Mysteriously |
Vivace | Lively, up-tempo |
Articulation
Italian Term | Translation |
---|
Legato | Tied together |
Marcato | "Marked", forcefully |
Portato | Between ‘staccato’ and ‘legato’ (semi-long). |
Staccato | Detached notes with very short articulation. The opposite of ‘legato’. |
Chord Symbols
We occasionally add chord symbols to our piano sheet music. They are shown right above the upper staff. Their use is optional; with them you can create your own alternative accompaniment. They are also very useful if you play with a band.
- The chord root letter only = major chord
- The chord root and letter ‘m’ = minor chord
- The chord root and number ‘7’ = minor seventh chord
Read more about different kinds of chords in Wikipedia.