Terms-A
8VA
(Italian) Abbreviation for "ottava." Perform one octave higher.
8VA BASSA
(Italian) Abbreviation for "ottava bassa." Perform one octave lower.
8VA BASSO
(Italian) Abbreviation for "ottava basso." Perform the notes in the bass one octave lower.
A 2
(Italian) Both instruments performed together on the same line.
A L'AISE
(French) Perform with ease.
A PIACERE
(Italian) At the pleasure of the performer, particularly with regard to tempo.
A SUONI PIENI
(Italian) With a full sound.
A TEMPO
(Italian) Return to the original tempo.
A VOCE PIENA
(Italian) With a full voice.
A VOLONTÉ
(French) The interpretation of this passage is left to the performer's discretion and taste.
AB
(German) Off.
ABER
(German) But.
ABLOSEN
(German) To separate one note from another; detached.
ABNEHMEND
(German) Becoming gradually softer; diminishing in loudness; same as the Italian term 'diminuendo'.
ABRIESSEN
(German) Cut off.
ACCELERANDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "accel." Accelerating; becoming gradually faster.
ACCELERANDO A TEMPO
(Italian) Becoming gradually faster until the speed established at 'tempo I' (or the beginning of the piece or movement) is reached.
ACCELEREZ
(French) Accelerate; becoming gradually faster.
AD LIBITUM
(Latin) Abbreviated "ad lib." Interpret freely within the context of the music.
ADAGIO
(Italian) A slow, leisurely tempo.
ADAGISSIMO
(Italian) Extremely slow.
AFFETTUOSO
(Italian) With passion; very expressively.
AFFRETTANDO
(Italian) Hurry the tempo along.
AGILE
(French) With agility and sprightliness.
AGITATO
(Italian) Hurried and restless; agitated.
AL FINE
(Italian) Until the end.
ALLA BREVE
(Italian) Two beats per measure, the half note getting the beat; implies a quicker tempo than if performed in 4/4 meter.
ALLA MARCIA
(Italian) In the style of a march.
ALLA SICILIANO CANTABILE
(Italian) In a melodious, singing style with a slow and graceful character.
ALLARGANDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "allarg." Becoming slower.
ALLE
(German) All.
ALLEGRETTO
(Italian) A little slower than 'allegro'; light and cheerful.
ALLEGRO
(Italian) Fast and lively.
ALLMÄHLICH
(German) Gradually.
ALS
(German) Like.
AM
(German) At the.
AMABILE
(Italian) Sweetly; gently.
AMOROSO
(Italian) Lovingly; fondly.
ANDANTE
(Italian) At a leisurely pace.
ANDERE
(German) Other.
ANFANG
(German) Beginning.
ANIMANDO
(Italian) Becoming more animated; growing livelier.
ANIMATO
(Italian) Animated and lively.
ANIMÉ
(French) Animated and lively.
ANIME ET EN SERRANT LE MOUVT. JUSQU'A LA FIN
(French) Animated and accelerating to the end.
ANIMEZ ET AUGMENTEZ
(French) Livelier and louder.
ANMUTIG
(German) With grace and charm.
ANWACHSEND
(German) Swelling.
APERTO
(Italian) Broadly.
APPASSIONATO
(Italian) Abbreviated "appass." With great passion and ardor.
APPENA RITARDANDO
(Italian) With almost no or very slight slowing of the tempo.
APPOGGIATURA
(Italian) An added note, occurring on a strong (accented) beat, it takes the accent and part of the time value of the following principal note. If it occurs on a weak (unaccented) beat, it takes its value from the preceding note.
APPUYÉ
(French) Accent or lengthen the note. Or, on a strong beat, add an upper auxiliary to the principal note.
ARPEGGIATED
To sound the notes of a chord successively, instead of simultaneously.
ARPEGGIERT
(German) Arpeggiated.
ASSAI
(Italian) Very; for example, 'allegro assai', very fast.
ASSEZ
(French) Rather.
ASSEZ DOUX, D'UNE SONORITÉ LARGE
(French) Rather gently, but with a broad sonority.
ASSEZ LENT
(French) Rather slowly.
ATTACCA
(Italian) Continue to the next section or movement immediately, without a pause.
AU MOUVEMENT
(French) Abbreviated "au mouvt." Back to the original speed; same as the Italian term 'a tempo'.
AU MUT(H)IG FLIESSEND
(German) With graceful flow.
AUF
(German) Up.
AUFHALTEN
(German) To slow down; same as the Italian term 'ritardando'.
AUGMENTANT
(French) Increasing.
AUGMENTEZ
(French) Increase; raise; augment.
AUSDRUCK
(German) Expression.
AUSDRUCKSVOLL
(German) Expressively.
ÄUSSERST LANGSAM
(German) As slow as possible.
AUSSPRECHEN
(German) Articulate.
AUSWAHL
(German) Selection.
AVEC
(French) With.
AVEC AMPLEUR
(French) With loudness, forcefulness.
AVEC BEAUCOUP DE LAISSER ALLER DANS LA MESURE
(French) A rubato tempo (very flexible tempo)
AVEC CHARME
(French) With charm.
AVEC ÉLÉGANCE
(French) With elegance.
AVEC SOURDINE
(French) Attach or use a mute.