Chapter 7: Musical Expression - Tempo and Dynamics

Question 1

Tempo

Answer 1

The rate of speed or pace of the music

Question 2

Dynamics

Answer 2

Element of musical expression relating to the volume of a sound

Question 3

Tempo markings being given in Italian is reflective of what?

Answer 3

The domination of Italian music in Europe from around 1600 to 1750, when performance directions were established

Question 4

Tempo markings indicate what features of a piece of music?

Answer 4

The character and pace of the music

Question 5

Grave

Answer 5

Very, very slow; solemn

Question 6

Largo

Answer 6

Very slow; broad

Question 7

Adagio

Answer 7

Quite slow

Question 8

Andante

Answer 8

Walking pace

Question 9

Moderato

Answer 9

Moderate

Question 10

Allegro

Answer 10

Fast; cheerful

Question 11

Vivace

Answer 11

Lively

Question 12

Presto

Answer 12

Very fast

Question 13

Common tempo markings

Answer 13

Grave, largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, vivace, presto

Question 14

Molto

Answer 14

Very

Question 15

Meno

Answer 15

Less

Question 16

Poco

Answer 16

A little

Question 17

Non troppo

Answer 17

Not too much

Question 18

Accelerando

Answer 18

Getting faster

Question 19

Ritardando

Answer 19

Holding back, getting slower

Question 20

A tempo

Answer 20

In time, or returning to the original pace

Question 21

Modifiers

Answer 21

Molto, meno, poco, non troppo

Question 22

Terms indicating change in tempo

Answer 22

Accelerando, ritardando, a tempo

Question 23

Dynamic indications

Answer 23

Pianissimo (pp), piano (p), mezzo piano (mp), mezzo forte (mf), forte (f), fortissimo (ff)

Question 24

Pianissimo (pp)

Answer 24

Very soft

Question 25

Piano (p)

Answer 25

Soft

Question 26

Mezzo piano (mp)

Answer 26

Moderately soft

Question 27

Mezzo forte (mf)

Answer 27

Moderately loud

Question 28

Forte (f)

Answer 28

Loud

Question 29

Fortissimo (ff)

Answer 29

Very loud

Question 30

Terms/signs used to change dynamics

Answer 30

Crescendo (), decrescendo (>), diminuendo

Question 31

Crescendo (

Answer 31

Growing louder

Question 32

Decrescendo/diminuendo (>)

Answer 32

Growing softer

Question 33

When did expression marks increase in number?

Answer 33

During the late 18th and 19th centuries

Question 34

The composer adds markings for _____ and ______ to help shape the expressive content of a work.

Answer 34

Tempo; dynamics

Question 35

Which of the following terms indicate a slow tempo? Which indicate a fast tempo?
Adagio
Presto
Vivace
Grave
Largo

Answer 35

Slow tempo: Adagio, grave, largo

Fast tempo: Presto, Vivace

Question 36

Which of the following terms indicate a change in tempo and which indicate the overall tempo of a piece?
Presto
Ritardando
Allegro
Accelerando
Andante

Answer 36

Change in tempo: Ritardando, accelerando

Overall tempo: Presto, allegro, andante

Question 37

Match the dynamic symbol to its corresponding meaning: p, mf, f, pp, mp

Answer 37

p = piano
mf = mezzo forte
f = forte 
pp = pianissimo
mp = mezzo piano

Question 38

True or False: Composers use tempo and dynamic markings to elicit the intended expression from the performers.

Answer 38

True