| accelerando / accel. |
gradually getting quicker |
| adagio |
slow |
| allegretto |
fairly quick (but not as quick as allegro) |
| allegro |
quick |
| andante |
at a medium (walking) speed |
| cantabile |
in a singing style |
| crescendo / cresc. / |
gradually getting louder |
| da capo / D.C. |
repeat from the beginning |
| dal segno / D.S. |
repeat from the sign |
| decrescendo / decresc. |
gradually getting quieter |
| diminuendo / dim. / |
gradually getting quieter |
| fine |
the end |
| / forte |
loud |
| / fortissimo |
very loud |
| legato |
smoothly |
| lento |
slow |
| mezzo |
half |
| / mezzo forte |
moderately loud |
| / mezzo piano |
moderately quiet |
| moderato |
moderately |
| / piano |
quiet |
| / pianissimo |
very quiet |
| poco |
a little |
| rallentando / rall. |
gradually getting slower |
| ritardando / rit. |
gradually getting slower |
| ritenuto / rit. |
held back |
| staccato / stacc. |
detached |
| tempo |
speed, time (a tempo: in time) |
| 8va |
octave |
| See this link for the musical symbols and other terms: |
http://www.molevalleymusic.co.uk/TheoryGrade1.htm |
