Dynamics
Dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play. They are written in Italian and appear below the staff.
| Symbol | Term | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pp | Pianissimo | Very soft |
| p | Piano | Soft |
| mp | Mezzo-piano | Moderately soft |
| mf | Mezzo-forte | Moderately loud |
| f | Forte | Loud |
| ff | Fortissimo | Very loud |
Dynamics can also change gradually. A crescendo means get gradually louder; a decrescendo (or diminuendo) means get gradually softer. These are shown as hairpin symbols on the score.
Tempo Markings
Tempo markings show the speed of the music. They are also mostly in Italian and appear at the top of a section.
| Term | Meaning | Approx. BPM |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | Very slow and broad | 40โ60 |
| Adagio | Slow | 60โ75 |
| Andante | Walking pace | 75โ100 |
| Moderato | Moderate speed | 100โ120 |
| Allegro | Fast and lively | 120โ160 |
| Presto | Very fast | 170+ |
Accelerando (accel.) = gradually speed up. Ritardando (rit.) = gradually slow down. A tempo = return to the original speed.
Articulation
Articulation marks show how individual notes should be played.
| Sign | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| ยท | Staccato | Short and detached |
| โ | Tenuto | Hold the full length, slightly emphasised |
| > | Accent | Emphasise the note |
| Slur (curved line) | Legato | Play smoothly and connected |
Common Expression Terms
These appear in scores and listening questions โ worth knowing what they mean.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cantabile | In a singing style |
| Dolce | Sweetly |
| Con fuoco | With fire / energy |
| Sostenuto | Sustained |
| Sforzando (sfz) | Suddenly forced accent on one note |