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.
