Music Terms

Question 1

a capella

Answer 1

without accompaniment

Question 2

ad libitum (ad lib)

Answer 2

at performer’s liberty

Question 3

adagio

Answer 3

slowly

Question 4

alla breve

Answer 4

cut time, with a minim beat

Question 5

allargando

Answer 5

gradually slower and broader

Question 6

allegro

Answer 6

fast, brisk

Question 7

allegretto

Answer 7

fairly fast (slower than allegro)

Question 8

andante

Answer 8

walking speed

Question 9

andantino

Answer 9

moderately fast (faster than andante, slower than allegretto)

Question 10

arco

Answer 10

bow

Question 11

assai

Answer 11

“very” (example: assai staccato = very detached)

Question 12

attacca

Answer 12

without break

Question 13

a tempo

Answer 13

original tempo

Question 14

breve

Answer 14

2 whole notes

Question 15

cantabile

Answer 15

singing

Question 16

come prima

Answer 16

as before

Question 17

come sopra

Answer 17

as above

Question 18

con

Answer 18

with

Question 19

con fuoco

Answer 19

with fire

Question 20

crescendo

Answer 20

gradually becoming louder

Question 21

da capo (D.C.)

Answer 21

from the head or beginning. Go back to the top

Question 22

dal segno (D.S.)

Answer 22

go back and play from the sign

Question 23

dolce

Answer 23

sweetly

Question 24

espressivo

Answer 24

expressive

Question 25

fermata

Answer 25

a hold or pause sign that indicates a note or rest should be held longer than its original duration

Question 26

fine

Answer 26

end

Question 27

giusto

Answer 27

exact, strict

Question 28

grave

Answer 28

slow, heavy, solemn

Question 29

grazioso

Answer 29

grace

Question 30

largo

Answer 30

very slow and broad

Question 31

leggiero

Answer 31

light, delicate

Question 32

molto rubato

Answer 32

a lot of rhythmic manipulation and nuance

Question 33

l’istesso

Answer 33

the same

Question 34

laissez vibrer (l.v.)

Answer 34

let vibrate

Question 35

loco

Answer 35

play as written. usually follows a passage with 8va or 8vb. Means “place”

Question 36

lunga

Answer 36

long

Question 37

ma

Answer 37

but

Question 38

ma non troppo

Answer 38

but not too much

Question 39

maestro

Answer 39

a title given to respected composers, conductors, teachers

Question 40

meno

Answer 40

less

Question 41

molto

Answer 41

very

Question 42

mosso

Answer 42

moved, agitated

Question 43

piu

Answer 43

More

Question 44

misura

Answer 44

bar, measure

Question 45

siempre

Answer 45

always

Question 46

senza misura

Answer 46

without measures

Question 47

moderato

Answer 47

in a moderate tempo

Question 48

a niente or N.

Answer 48

nothing, silence

Question 49

subito

Answer 49

suddenly

Question 50

pesante

Answer 50

heavy

Question 51

possible

Answer 51

????

Question 52

quasi

Answer 52

as if, almost

Question 53

rallentando, rall.

Answer 53

becoming gradually slower

Question 54

scordatura

Answer 54

changing the standard tuning of one or more strings on a stringed instrument in order to play unusual chords, difficult passages, or to alternate tone color

Question 55

semplice

Answer 55

Simple

Question 56

simile

Answer 56

continue to perform in the same style

Question 57

sostenuto

Answer 57

sustained

Question 58

staccato

Answer 58

short, detached

Question 59

troppo

Answer 59

too, or too much

Question 60

volti subito, or V.S.

Answer 60

Turn quickly, in orchestral parts this indicates to turn the page quickly