SANFT
(German) Softly.
SANS
(French) Without.
SANS HÂTE
(French) Proceed without haste or feeling of hurry.
SANS PRESSER
(French) Without going faster or accelerating the pace.
SANS RAIDEUR
(French) Proceed without rigor, rigidity and stiffness.
SANS RIGUEUR
(French) Proceed without precision or strictness.
SANS TROP DE RIGUEUR DANS LA MESURE
(French) Proceed without too much rigor or strictness in the tempo.
SCHARF
(German) Sharp; penetrating.
SCHERZANDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "scherz." Playful; jesting; with no seriousness.
SCHLAGEN
(German) Beat.
SCHLEPPEND
(German) Dragging; lagging behind.
SCHLUSS
(German) End.
SCHMEICHELND
(German) Wheedling; caressing.
SCHMETTERND
(German) Blaring.
SCHNELL
(German) Fast; quick.
SCHON
(German) Already, yet.
SCHWACHSTES
(German) Weakest; softest.
SCHWEBEND
(German) Ethereally.
SCHWER
(German) Weighty; awkward.
SCHWERMUTHIG
(German) Unhappiness; melancholy.
SECONDA VOLTA
(Italian) The second time only.
SEGNO
(Italian) Indicates where the performer repeats back to; used in terms such as 'dal segno' or 'D.
S.' (from the sign).
SEHR
(German) Very.
SEHR LANGSAM
(German) Very slowly.
SEHR LEBHAFT
(German) Very lively and animated.
SEHR RUHIG
(German) Very peaceful and calm.
SELBE
(German) Same.
SEMPLICE
(Italian) Simple and unaffected.
SEMPRE
(Italian) Always.
SENTITA LA MELODIA
(Italian) Bring out the melody; perform the melody louder.
SENZA
(Italian) Without.
SENZA SORDINO
(Italian) Without mute.
SERREZ
(French) Press ahead; go faster.
SFORZANDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "sffz." Perform the note very loudly, with a marked and sudden emphasis.
SFORZANDO PIANO
(Italian) Abbreviated "sfp." Perform the note loudly, with a marked and sudden emphasis, then
immediately become soft in volume.
SICH ZEIT LASSEN
(German) Allow time.
SIMILE
(Italian) Abbreviated "sim." Continue on in a like or similar manner. Usually indicates that articulation or dynamic markings are to continue although they no longer appear on the notes.
SLENTANDO
(Italian) Becoming slower.
SMORZANDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "smorz." Dying away in volume and usually becoming much slower.
SO
(German) As.
SOGNANDO
(Italian) Dreamily.
SOLI
(Italian) Indicates that the section is performed by more than one soloist.
SOLO
(Italian) Indicates that during this passage, this part predominates and takes the leading role.
SOMBRE
(French) Sullen; dark; clouded; somber.
SOMMEILLANTE
(French) As if in sleep.
SONORE
(Italian) Resonantly; ringingly; sonorously.
SORDAMENTE
(Italian) With a veiled, muffled tone.
SOSTENUTO
(Italian) Abbreviated "sost." Sustained; continue the tone for the full value of each note.
SOTTO
(Italian) Remain in the background.
SOTTO VOCE
(Italian) As if in an undertone or under the breath.
SOUTENU
(French) Sustained and connected.
SPIRITOSO
(Italian) Spirited; animated and energetic.
STACCATO
(Italian) Perform the notes detached and disconnected from one another.
STARK
(German) Strong.
STEIGERN
(German) Intensify; increase.
STETIG
(German) Steadily.
STIMME
(German) Voice.
STOP
Alter the tone by a partially closing the bell (brass instruments).
STRENG
(German) Strictly.
STRETTO
(Italian) Hurry the notes along.
STRICTEMENT EN MESURE
(French) Strictly in time; take no liberties with rhythm.
STRICTEMENT EN MESURE SANS RALENTIR
(French) Strictly in time without any slowing.
STRINGENDO
(Italian) Abbreviated "string." Suddenly accelerate and hasten the movement of the music.
STRISCIANDO
(Italian) Smooth and gliding motion.
STÜRMISCH
(German) Stormy; passionate.
SUBITO
(Italian) Abbreviated "sub." Suddenly; abruptly.
SUIVEZ
(French) Indicates to continue; go on.
SURTOUT SANS PRESSER
(French) Above all, do not increase tempo; do not accelerate or rush.
SURTOUT SANS RALENTIR
(French) Above all, without slowing or dragging of the pace.