Glossary
Accelerando (accel.)
A gradual speeding up of the tempo, often abbreviated as 'accel.'
Example:
A chase scene in film music might feature an accelerando to build tension and excitement.
Adagio
A slow and stately tempo, often described as 'at ease' or comfortable.
Example:
The second movement of Beethoven's 'Moonlight' Sonata is often played Adagio, creating a serene and contemplative mood.
Allegretto
A moderately fast tempo, often light and cheerful in character.
Example:
A lively dance tune might be marked Allegretto, giving it a sprightly, joyful bounce.
Allegro
A fast, quick, and bright tempo, conveying an energetic and lively mood.
Example:
The final movement of a symphony is often Allegro, bringing the piece to an exciting conclusion.
Andante
A moderate tempo, literally meaning 'at a walking pace,' suggesting a relaxed and flowing feel.
Example:
A folk song might be performed Andante, making it easy to sing along to at a comfortable pace.
Andantino
A tempo slightly faster than Andante, indicating a bit more liveliness.
Example:
A playful melody could be marked Andantino to give it a light, skipping quality.
Articulation
How individual notes or phrases are played, affecting their attack, duration, and decay.
Example:
Staccato articulation makes notes sound short and detached, like raindrops tapping on a window.
Beats per minute (BPM)
A unit of measurement indicating the number of beats that occur in one minute, used to specify tempo precisely.
Example:
A dance track with a BPM of 120 means there are 120 beats every minute.
Dynamics
The loudness or softness of music, indicated by terms like piano (soft) or forte (loud).
Example:
A sudden change in dynamics from piano to forte can create a dramatic effect in a symphony.
Expressive elements
Musical components that bring life and emotion to a piece, including dynamics, articulation, and tempo.
Example:
The expressive elements of a lullaby, like its soft dynamics and slow tempo, create a calming mood.
Grave
A very slow and solemn tempo, conveying a serious or heavy mood.
Example:
The opening of a funeral march is often marked Grave, emphasizing its profound sadness.
Larghetto
A tempo that is slightly faster than Largo but still relatively slow and broad.
Example:
A movement marked Larghetto might feel a bit more flowing than a true Largo, but still maintain a sense of spaciousness.
Largo
A slow and broad tempo, often implying a dignified or stately character.
Example:
Handel's famous "Ombra mai fù" aria is marked Largo, giving it a grand and expansive feel.
Lento
A slow tempo, typically slower than Largo, suggesting a relaxed and deliberate pace.
Example:
A tranquil piano piece might be marked Lento to create a meditative atmosphere.
Metronome marking
A precise indication of tempo using a specific note value followed by an equals sign and a number, representing beats per minute.
Example:
A metronome marking of quarter note = 120 tells the musician to play 120 quarter notes per minute.
Moderato
A moderate tempo, indicating a balanced and neither fast nor slow pace.
Example:
A piece marked Moderato would be played at a sensible, middle-ground speed, suitable for clear articulation.
Poco a poco
An instruction meaning 'little by little,' often used with tempo changes to indicate a very gradual alteration.
Example:
A score might say ritardando poco a poco, meaning to slow down very gradually over several measures.
Prestissimo
The fastest possible tempo, even faster than Presto, pushing the limits of speed.
Example:
A dazzling orchestral finale could be marked Prestissimo, creating an exhilarating and breathless effect.
Presto
An extremely fast tempo, conveying a sense of urgency and speed.
Example:
A virtuosic piano solo might be marked Presto, challenging the performer with its rapid pace.
Rallentando
A more dramatic and expressive slowing down of the tempo, often associated with a decrease in volume.
Example:
A grand orchestral piece might end with a powerful rallentando, drawing out the final chords with great emotion.
Ritardando (rit.)
A gradual slowing down of the tempo, often abbreviated as 'rit.'
Example:
A conductor might ask the orchestra for a ritardando at the end of a movement to create a sense of resolution.
Ritenuto (rit.)
An abrupt slowing down of the tempo, also often abbreviated as 'rit.'
Example:
A sudden dramatic pause in a piece might be preceded by a ritenuto, like hitting the brakes on a musical phrase.
Rubato
A flexible tempo where the performer intentionally speeds up or slows down for expressive purposes, creating a 'stolen time' effect.
Example:
A Romantic era piano ballad often uses rubato to allow the melody to breathe and convey deeper emotion.
Stringendo
A more intense and urgent speeding up of the tempo, literally meaning 'tightening.'
Example:
A composer might use stringendo to indicate a section that should feel like it's rapidly building to a climax.
Tempo
The speed of the beat in music, which sets its overall mood and energy.
Example:
A composer might choose a fast tempo to evoke excitement and urgency in a chase scene.
Vivace
A lively and fast tempo, suggesting a quick and spirited performance.
Example:
A composer might use Vivace to indicate a section that should burst with energy and vitality.