Italian Piano Terms

Question 1

Marcatissimo

Answer 1

is to make notes heavily accented

Question 2

mf: mezzo forte

Answer 2

“half strong”; to play somewhat loudly; slightly softer than forte

Question 3

mp: mezzo piano

Answer 3

“semi-soft tone”; to play slightly louder than piano

Question 4

moderato:

Answer 4

to play in a reasonable, “moderate” tempo; also used in musical titles.

Question 5

morendo:

Answer 5

indicates a decrease in volume or tempo (often both) to make the sound slowly die away;

Question 6

pedale:

Answer 6

indicates when the damper (sustain) pedal is to be depressed; often abbreviated Ped.

Question 7

pp ; pianissimo:

Answer 7

to play very softly, softer than piano, but louder than pianississimo.

Question 8

p ; piano:

Answer 8

to play softly;

Question 9

ppp -

Answer 9

pianississimo: to play as softly as possible, softer than pianissimo

Question 10

prestissimo:

Answer 10

to play extremely fast, about as quickly as possible;

Question 11

presto:

Answer 11

to play very quickly

Question 12

quieto:

Answer 12

“quiet”; to play calmly and quietly

Question 13

rit - ritardando:

Answer 13

to gradually decrease the tempo of the music

Question 14

(f) forte:

Answer 14

play loudly; louder than mezzo forte, but softer than fortissimo.

Question 15

(fp) fortepiano:

Answer 15

play loudly in forte, followed immediately by piano

Question 16

(ff) fortissimo:

Answer 16

play very loudly; louder than forte, but softer than fortississimo.

Question 17

(fff) fortississimo:

Answer 17

play as loudly as possible, louder than fortissimo.

Question 18

larghissimo:

Answer 18

to play very slowly; slightly slower than largamente.

Question 19

larghetto:

Answer 19

somewhat slow; slightly faster than largo.

Question 20

largo:

Answer 20

quite slowly; to play with a broad, wide tempo, in which the beats remain far apart from one another.

Question 21

legato

Answer 21

bound together”; to slur notes together so that no audible spaces are between them, written in sheet music with a long, curved line above or below notes.

Question 22

(mf) mezzo forte:

Answer 22

“half strong”; to play somewhat loudly

Question 23

(mp) mezzo piano:

Answer 23

“semi-soft tone”; to play slightly louder than piano.

Question 24

allegro:

Answer 24

to play in a quick, lively tempo; faster than allegretto, but slower than allegrissim;

Question 25

allegretto

Answer 25

to play somewhat quickly; slower and slightly less lively than allegro, but faster than andante.

Question 26

andante:

Answer 26

a moderate tempo; to play in a light, flowing manner;