Musical terms level 1
In this guide...
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Introduction
Here's a complete list of the terms, with definitions, that you should know at this level.
Musical terms
You will need to be familiar with all of these terms at this level. In an exam, you will need to give the exact definition or give the exact spelling, so take care to learn them accurately! Some useful learning tips are given in Learning musical terms.
List of terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| accelerando accel. | gradually getting quicker |
| adagio | slow |
| allegretto | fairly quick (but not as quick as allegro) |
| allegro | quick (literally "cheerful") |
| andante | at a medium ("walking") speed |
| cantabile | in a singing style |
| crescendo cresc. | gradually getting louder |
| da capo D.C. | repeat from the beginning |
| dal segno D.S. | repeat from the sign |
| decrescendo decresc. | gradually getting quieter |
| diminuendo dim. | gradually getting quieter |
| fine | the end |
| f forte | loud |
| ff fortissimo | very loud |
| legato | smoothly |
| lento | slow |
| mezzo | half |
| mf mezzo forte | moderately loud ("half loud") |
| mp mezzo piano | moderately quiet ("half quiet") |
| moderato | moderately (allegro moderato: moderately quick) |
| p piano | quiet |
| pp pianissimo | very quiet |
| poco | a little |
| rallentando rall. | gradually getting slower |
| ritardando ritard. rit. | gradually getting slower |
| ritenuto riten. rit. | held back, slower (immediately, not gradually) |
| staccato stacc. | detached |
| tempo | speed, time |
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Revision
Are you sure you've understood everything in this study guide? Why not try the following practice questions, just to be sure!