Music Terms and Signs (P-V)

Question 1

pedale, ped.

Answer 1

pedal

Question 2

pesante

Answer 2

weighty, with emphasis

Question 3

pianissimo, pp

Answer 3

very soft

Question 4

piano, p

Answer 4

soft

Question 5

piu

Answer 5

moe

Question 6

piu mosso

Answer 6

more movement (quicker)

Question 7

pizzicato

Answer 7

on a bowed string instrument, pluck the string instead of bowing

Question 8

poco

Answer 8

little

Question 9

poco a poco

Answer 9

little by little

Question 10

prestissimo

Answer 10

as fast as possible

Question 11

presto

Answer 11

very fast

Question 12

primo, prima

Answer 12

first; the upper part of a duet

Question 13

quasi

Answer 13

almost, as if

Question 14

quindicesima alta, 15ma

Answer 14

two octaves higher

Question 15

rallentando, rall.

Answer 15

slowing down

Question 16

risoluto

Answer 16

resolute

Question 17

ritardando, rit.

Answer 17

slowing down gradually

Question 18

ritenuto, riten.

Answer 18

suddenly slower, held back

Question 19

rubato

Answer 19

with some freedom of tempo to enhance musical expression

Question 20

scherzando

Answer 20

playful

Question 21

schnell

Answer 21

fast

Question 22

sehr

Answer 22

very

Question 23

semplice

Answer 23

simple

Question 24

sempre

Answer 24

always, continuously

Question 25

senza

Answer 25

without

Question 26

sforzando, sf, sfz

Answer 26

sudden strong accent of a single note or chord

Question 27

simile

Answer 27

continue in the same manner as has just been indicated

Question 28

sonore

Answer 28

sonorous

Question 29

sopra

Answer 29

above

Question 30

sostenuto

Answer 30

sustained

Question 31

sotto voce

Answer 31

soft, subdued, under the breath

Question 32

spiritoso

Answer 32

spirited

Question 33

staccato

Answer 33

detached

Question 34

stringendo

Answer 34

pressing, becoming faster

Question 35

subito

Answer 35

suddenly

Question 36

tacet

Answer 36

be silent

Question 37

tempo

Answer 37

speed at which music is performed

Question 38

Tempo primo (Tempo 1)

Answer 38

return to the origino tempo

Question 39

tranquillo

Answer 39

quiet, tranquil

Question 40

tre corde

Answer 40

three strings; release the left pedal (on the piano)

Question 41

troppo

Answer 41

too much

Question 42

tutti

Answer 42

a passage for the ensemble

Question 43

una corda

Answer 43

one string; depress the left pedal (on the piano)

Question 44

vite

Answer 44

fast

Question 45

vivace

Answer 45

lively; brisk

Question 46

vivo

Answer 46

lively

Question 47

volta

Answer 47

time (for example, prima volta: first time; seconda volta; second time)