Musical Dynamics And Tempo Terms

Question 1

List the basic scale of musical dynamics

Answer 1

Pianissimo (pp)– very quiet

Piano (p)– quiet

Mezzo forte (mf)– moderately loud

Forte (f)– loud

Fortissimo (ff)– very loud

Sforzando (sfz)– a sudden, forced loud

Question 2

Gradually getting louder/quieter/slower

Answer 2

Crescendo (cresc)– gradually getting louder

Diminuendo (dim)– gradually getting quieter and slower

Decrescendo (decresc) - gradually getting quieter

Question 3

Tempo descriptions

Answer 3

Adagio- a slow tempo (other words for slow are lento and largo)

Andante- performed at a walking pace

Moderato- played at a medium tempo

Allegro- a quick and lively tempo (another common word for fast is vivace)

Rallentando- when music is slowed down, normally for emphasis

Ritardando– slowing down, holding back

Accelerando– getting gradually faster

A Tempo– return to the original tempo after rallentando, ritardando or accelerando

Rubato– changing tempo and rhythms for expressive effect