Grade 1 - Words and Signs

Question 1

accelerando (or accel.)

Answer 1

Gradually getting quicker

Question 2

adagio

Answer 2

slow

Question 3

allegretto

Answer 3

fairly quick (but not as quick as allegro)

Question 4

allegro

Answer 4

quick (literally ‘cheerful’)

Question 5

andante

Answer 5

at a medium (‘walking’) speed

Question 6

cantabile

Answer 6

in a singing style

Question 7

crescendo (or cresc.)

Answer 7

gradually getting louder

Question 8

da capo (or D.C.)

Answer 8

repeat from the beginning

Question 9

dal segno (or D.S.)

Answer 9

repeat from the sign (s with a line through it and dots)

Question 10

decrescendo (or decresc.)

AND

diminuendo (or dim.)

Answer 10

gradually getting quieter

Question 11

fine

Answer 11

the end

Question 12

f (= forte)

Answer 12

loud

Question 13

ff (= fortissimo)

Answer 13

very loud

Question 14

legato

Answer 14

smoothly

Question 15

lento

Answer 15

slow

Question 16

mezzo

Answer 16

half

Question 17

mf (= mezzo forte)

Answer 17

moderately loud (literally ‘half’ loud)

Question 18

mp (= mezzo piano)

Answer 18

moderately quiet (literally ‘half’ quiet)

Question 19

moderato (eg. allegro moderato)

Answer 19

moderately (eg. moderately quick)

Question 20

p (= piano)

Answer 20

quiet

Question 21

pp (= pianissimo)

Answer 21

very quiet

Question 22

poco

Answer 22

a little

Question 23

rallentando (or rall.)

AND

ritardando (or ritard. or rit.)

Answer 23

gradually getting slower

Question 24

ritenuto (or riten. or rit.)

Answer 24

held back

Question 25

staccato (or stacc.)

Answer 25

detached

Question 26

tempo (eg. a tempo)

Answer 26

speed, time (eg. in time)