Dynamics
49 terms
brillante
A performance direction meaning brilliantly, with sparkling virtuosity
calando
Gradually decreasing in both tempo and volume.
crescendo
A gradual increase in volume.
decrescendo
A gradual decrease in volume. Synonymous with diminuendo.
diminuendo
A gradual decrease in volume. Synonymous with decrescendo.
dolce
An Italian musical direction meaning "sweetly," indicating a gentle, tender, and singing quality of expression.
dolcissimo
A performance direction meaning very sweetly, with the utmost tenderness
dynamics markings
The standard system of Italian abbreviations indicating volume levels from softest to loudest
energico
A performance direction meaning with energy, force, and vigorous drive
espressivo
An Italian performance direction meaning "expressively," indicating that the performer should play with heightened emotional intensity and freedom.
fff
Fortississimo: extremely loud, louder than fortissimo.
forte
A dynamic marking meaning loud. Abbreviated as f.
fortepiano
Loud then immediately soft. Abbreviated as fp.
fortissimo
A dynamic marking meaning very loud. Abbreviated as ff.
fortississimo
As loud as possible. Abbreviated as fff.
fp
Forte-piano: loud, then immediately soft.
fuocoso
A performance direction meaning fiery, with passionate intensity and wild energy
giocoso
A performance direction meaning playfully and with humour
grandioso
A performance direction meaning grandly, with majestic breadth and noble character
grazioso
A performance direction meaning gracefully and with elegance
lacrimoso
A performance direction meaning tearfully, with weeping expression and sorrowful character
lugubre
A performance direction meaning mournfully, with dark and gloomy character
mezza voce
At half voice; with moderate volume.
mezzo-forte
A dynamic marking meaning moderately loud. Abbreviated as mf.
mezzo-piano
A dynamic marking meaning moderately soft. Abbreviated as mp.
misterioso
A performance direction meaning mysteriously, with an enigmatic and suspenseful character
morendo
Dying away in both volume and tempo.
nobilmente
A performance direction meaning nobly, with dignity and stately bearing
patetico
A performance direction meaning with deep pathos and emotional suffering
perdendosi
An Italian musical direction meaning "losing itself" or "dying away," indicating a gradual decrease in both volume and tempo until the sound nearly disappears.
pianissimo
A dynamic marking meaning very soft. Abbreviated as pp.
pianississimo
As soft as possible. Abbreviated as ppp.
piano
A dynamic marking meaning soft. Abbreviated as p.
poco
An Italian musical term meaning "a little," used to moderate the degree of a musical direction.
ppp
Pianississimo: extremely soft, softer than pianissimo.
rinforzando
A sudden increase in volume on a note or short passage. Abbreviated as rfz.
risoluto
A performance direction meaning resolutely, with determination and firm decisiveness
scherzando
A performance direction meaning playfully, in the manner of a scherzo
semplice
A performance direction meaning simply, without affectation or excessive ornamentation
sempre
An Italian musical direction meaning "always" or "continuously," indicating that a particular instruction should be maintained.
sforzando
A sudden, strong accent on a single note or chord. Abbreviated as sfz.
sforzato
A strong, sudden accent on a single note or chord, similar to sforzando but sometimes interpreted as slightly less forceful.
smorzando
Dying away; getting softer and slower.
sotto voce
In a soft, subdued voice or tone.
spiritoso
A performance direction meaning with spirit, liveliness, and animated energy
subito
An Italian musical term meaning "suddenly," indicating that a change in dynamics or tempo should occur immediately rather than gradually.
teneramente
A performance direction meaning tenderly, with gentle warmth and delicate feeling
terraced dynamics
A Baroque-era approach to dynamics where volume changes occur in sudden, discrete steps rather than gradual crescendos and diminuendos.
vigoroso
A performance direction meaning vigorously, with robust strength and muscular energy