Expressive words
Tempo
Largo Adagio Andante Moderato Allegro Presto accelerando ritardando rubato a tempo |
The speed of the music
Very slowly Slowly Walking pace/average speed Moderate speed Fast Very fast Speed up gradually Gradually slow down Literally "robbed time"; free with the tempo Back to the original tempo (after a change such as ritardando) |
Dynamics
fortissimo forte mezzo forte mezzo piano piano pianissimo crescendo decrescendo accent sforzando subito forte or subito piano |
The volume of the music
ff - Very loud f - Loud mf - Medium loud mp - Medium soft p - soft pp - very soft Growing louder bit by bit Growing softer bit by bit Emphasize a note more than the others around it Very strong accent Suddenly loud or suddenly soft |