Music / Grade 5 / Music terms Music terms
The words on printed music up to Grade 5.
Flashcards Meteor game
All Italian German French
Every term up to Grade 5 Learn these by heart
Grade 1
Term Language Meaning
a tempo Italian back to the speed before accelerando Italian gradually getting quicker adagio Italian slow allegretto Italian fairly quick, a little slower than allegro allegro Italian quick and lively andante Italian at a walking pace cantabile Italian in a singing style crescendo Italian gradually getting louder da capo Italian repeat from the beginning diminuendo Italian gradually getting softer dolce Italian sweetly and softly fine Italian the end moderato Italian at a moderate speed rallentando Italian gradually getting slower staccato Italian short and detached
Grade 2
Term Language Meaning
più mosso Italian with more movement, quicker poco a poco Italian little by little allargando Italian broadening, getting a little slower and fuller dal segno Italian repeat from the sign grave Italian very slow and solemn grazioso Italian gracefully largo Italian slow and broad meno mosso Italian with less movement, slower presto Italian very quick ritenuto Italian held back, slower at once vivace Italian lively and quick tenuto Italian held for its full value
Grade 3
Term Language Meaning
agitato Italian agitated andantino Italian a little faster than andante energico Italian with energy giocoso Italian playful and merry leggiero Italian lightly maestoso Italian majestically marcato Italian emphasised, marked pesante Italian heavily prestissimo Italian as quick as possible risoluto Italian boldly and firmly scherzando Italian playfully, in a joking way semplice Italian simply simile Italian in the same way subito Italian suddenly tranquillo Italian calmly sforzando Italian with a sudden strong accent
Grade 4
Term Language Meaning
affettuoso Italian tenderly, with affection alla breve Italian with a minim beat amabile Italian pleasant, amiable comodo Italian at a comfortable speed con brio Italian with vigour deciso Italian with determination larghetto Italian fairly slow, a little faster than largo rubato Italian with some freedom of time stringendo Italian gradually getting quicker animé French animated, lively modéré French at a moderate speed retenu French held back con sordino Italian with a mute
Grade 5
Term Language Meaning
ad libitum Italian at the performer's choice, freely attacca Italian go straight on to the next section morendo Italian dying away rinforzando Italian reinforcing, a sudden increase in tone smorzando Italian dying away in tone and speed sonoro Italian with a full, rich tone sotto voce Italian in an undertone, very quietly langsam German slow lebhaft German lively ruhig German calm, peaceful una corda Italian press the soft pedal
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