Musical Terms

Musical Terms
Please keep in mind that metronome markings are always approximate and should be
determined by an understanding of the composition and its time period. Largo – broadly (40–60 BPM)
Adagio – slow and stately (literally, "at ease") (60–76 BPM)
Andante moderato – a bit slower than andante (69-72 BPM)
Andante – at a walking pace (76-108 BPM)
Andantino – slightly faster than andante (80-92 BPM)
Moderato – moderately (108-120 BPM)
Allegretto – moderately fast (96–120 BPM)
Allegro – fast, quickly and bright (120–160 BPM)
Vivace – lively and fast (144-176 BPM) (quicker than allegro)
Presto – very quickly (168 –200 BPM)
(German: Langsam – slowly; Lebhaft – lively; Mäßig – moderately; Rasch – quickly;
Schnell – fast; Bewegt – animated, with motion)
-issimo ending the word is amplified/made louder; -ino or -etto diminished/made softer.
Allargando – growing broader; decreasing tempo, usually near the end of a piece
assai – very much, as in allegro assai, quite fast
Calando – going slower (and usually also softer)
con brio – with vigor and spirit
con fuoco – with fire
con moto – with motion
deciso – decidedly, decisively
Giocoso – merrily, funny
Grazioso – gracefully
Leggiero – to play lightly, or with light touch
meno – less
molto – much, very
Morendo – dying
Mosso – movement, more lively, or quicker, much like più mosso, but not as extreme
non troppo – not too much
Pesante – heavily
più – more
quasi – almost, nearly, as if (such as Più allegro quasi presto, "faster, as if presto")
Rallentando – gradual slowing down (abbreviation: rall.)
Ritardando – slowing down gradually; also rallentando, ritenuto (abbrevs: rit., ritard.)
Ritenuto – slightly slower; temporarily holding back.
Rubato – free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes
Scherzando – playfully
senza – without
Sostenuto – sustained, sometimes with a slackening of tempo
Stringendo – pressing on faster (literally "tightening")
Tranquillamente – adverb of tranquillo, "calmly"
Musical Terms by Laura Grant www.grantclarinetstudio.com