Italian terms
Most tempo and expression markings are written in Italian.
Tempo
Here are some Italian terms used to describe tempo:
| Largo | Slowly and broadly |
| Andante | Fairly slow, at walking pace |
| Moderato | At moderate speed |
| Allegro | Fast |
| Vivace | Lively |
| Presto | Very quick |
| Accelerando | Gradually speeding up |
| Rallentando | Gradually slowing down |
| Ritenuto | Immediately slower |
| Allargando | Getting slower and broadening |
| Rubato | Literally 'robbed time', where rhythms are played freely for expressive effect |
| Largo |
|---|
| Slowly and broadly |
| Andante |
|---|
| Fairly slow, at walking pace |
| Moderato |
|---|
| At moderate speed |
| Allegro |
|---|
| Fast |
| Vivace |
|---|
| Lively |
| Presto |
|---|
| Very quick |
| Accelerando |
|---|
| Gradually speeding up |
| Rallentando |
|---|
| Gradually slowing down |
| Ritenuto |
|---|
| Immediately slower |
| Allargando |
|---|
| Getting slower and broadening |
| Rubato |
|---|
| Literally 'robbed time', where rhythms are played freely for expressive effect |
Articulation
| Term | Meaning |
| Legato | Notes should be played smoothly |
| Staccato | Notes are shortened |
| Tenuto | A note to be played for its duration |
| Sforzando | A note should be given sudden emphasis, similar to an accent |
| Marcato | This is a type of accent associated with string playing. Pressure needs to be placed on the bow and then released quickly and explosively. |
| Term | Legato |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Notes should be played smoothly |
| Term | Staccato |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Notes are shortened |
| Term | Tenuto |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A note to be played for its duration |
| Term | Sforzando |
|---|---|
| Meaning | A note should be given sudden emphasis, similar to an accent |
| Term | Marcato |
|---|---|
| Meaning | This is a type of accent associated with string playing. Pressure needs to be placed on the bow and then released quickly and explosively. |