Welcome to our Musical Terms Page

Musical terms and knowledge that are useful for setting a music quiz question.

Musical Tempos or Musical Speeds

1. Larghissimo - as slow as possible
2. Largo - very slow and solemn
3. Larghetto - slightly less slow
4. Lento - slow
5. Adagissimo - very slow
6. Adagio - slow
7. Adagietto - slightly faster
8. Andante - moderately slow






9. Moderato - at a brisk walking pace
10. Allegreto -
11. Allegretto - fairly lively
12. Allegramente - lightly
13. Allegro - lively, fast (the Italain word for cheerful)
14. Vivace - fast
15. Vivacissimo - very quickly
16. Presto - very fast
17. Prestissimo - extremely fast

Musical Terms

1. Agitato - agitated or excited
2. Brillante - sparkling or brilliant
3. Brio - with spirit or vigour
4. Coda - the tail end of a piece of music
5. Crescendo - graudal increase in volume
6. Da Capo - go back to the beginning (Italian for 'from the beginning')
7. Dolce - sweet, soft and gentle
8. Dolente - sad
9. Forte - loud or strong
10. Fortissimo - very loud
11. Grave - slow and serious
12. Legatto - smooth and evenly (Italian for 'joined')
13. Libretto - the text of an opera (Italian for'little book')
14. Mezzo - Italian for 'half'
15. Molto - much or very
16. Pianissimo - very soft
17. Piano - soft
18. Pizzicato - a direction to pluck the strings, rather than using the bow to create sound (Italian: 'plucked')
19. Ritenuto - slowing in tempo
20. Scherzo - lively
21. Sotto voce - Quiet and subdued
22. Tutti - all the players