Musical terms level 5
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Introduction
Here's a complete list of the terms, with definitions, that you should know at this level, in Italian and German.
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.
Italian terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| attacca | immediately continue with the next section (or movement) of music |
| dolente | doleful, sad, mournful |
| dolore | grief (doloroso: sorrowful) |
| doppio movimento | twice as fast (similar to alla breve) |
| estinto | as soft as possible, lifeless (literally "extinguished") |
| incalzando | chasing, pressing on, i.e. getting quicker |
| lacrimoso | sad, tearful |
| loco | cancels an 8va indication: return to the normal pitch |
| lunga | long (often refering to a pause, pausa lunga: long pause) |
| lusingando | coaxing, persuasive, flattering |
| misura | measure / bar (alla misura: in strict time, senza misura: in free time) |
| ossia | or / alternatively Usually this refers to a note or notes which may be played instead, if the original is not possible due to range, technique, etc. |
| piacevole | pleasant |
| piangevole | plaintive, lamenting |
| pochettino poch. | very little (i.e. a stronger version of poco) |
| rinforzando rf rfz | reinforcing |
| segue | go straight on (similar to attacca) |
| smorzando smorz. | dying away (in tone and speed) |
| teneramente tenerezza | tenderly, tenderness |
| tosto | swift, rapid, at once (più tosto: quicker) |
| volante | flying, fast |
German terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| aber | but (Italian: ma) |
| Ausdruck | expression |
| bewegt | with movement, agitated (Italian: a combination of con moto and agitato) |
| breit | broad, expansive (Italian: largamente) |
| ein | a, one |
| einfach | simple (Italian: semplice) |
| etwas | somewhat, rather (Italian: poco) |
| frölich | cheerful, joyful (Italian: giocoso) |
| immer | always (Italian: sempre) |
| langsam | slow (Italian: lento) |
| lebhaft | lively (Italian: vivace) |
| mässig | at a moderate speed (Italian: moderato) |
| mit | with (Italian: con) |
| nicht | not (Italian: non) |
| ohne | without (Italian: senza) |
| ruhig | peaceful |
| schnell | fast |
| sehr | very (Italian: molto) |
| süss | sweet |
| traurig | sad |
| und | and (Italian: e / ed) |
| voll | full |
| wenig | little, slightly |
| wieder | again |
| zart | tender, delicate |
| zu | too (nicht zu schnell: not too fast), also to / towards |
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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!