This is a list of some of the musical terms that are likely to be encountered in music and,
in particular, piano music. Most of the terms are Italian, in accordance with the Italian
origins of many European musical conventions. Sometimes the special musical meanings
of these phrases differ from the original or current Italian meanings. Most of the other
terms are from French or German. Others are from languages like Latin and Spanish.
Some composers, such as Beethoven, Schumann and Franck, also used terms from their
own language.
A
a, à (Fr) – at, to, by, for, in, in the style of
a capella – without instrumental accompaniment
accelerando – gradually increasing the tempo
accentato – with emphasis
acciaccatura – fast grace note
adagietto – rather slow
adagio – slow
adagissimo – very slow
ad libitum (Lat) – speed and manner of execution is left up to the performer
affettuoso – with emotion
affretando- hurrying
agitato – agitated
al, alla – in the manner of
alla breve – two minim beats to a bar rather than four crotchet beats
alla marcia – in the style of a march
allargando – becoming a little slower
allegretto – moderately fast
allegro – fast
alto –lower than a soprano but higher than a tenor
andante – moderate tempo
andante – a little faster than a moderate tempo
animato – lively
a piacere – rhythm need not be followed strictly
appassionato – passionately
appoggiatura – slow grace note
arietta – short aria
arioso – melodious
arpeggio – notes of chord played one after another, usually ascending
assai – sufficiently, very
assez (Fr) – sufficiently, very
a tempo – return to the earlier tempo
attacca – go straight on without a pause
ausdrucksvolle (Ger) – expressively
avec (Fr) – with