Tempo Dynamics DYNAMICS TEMPO Italian Terms and Symbols

Tempo & Dynamics DYNAMICS TEMPO Italian Terms and Symbols

TEMPO • Tempo words describe SPEED. Italian Meaning Slow Lento Slow Largo Slow and stately Adagio Leisurely Andante At a walking pace Moderato Moderately Allegro Fast Vivace Lively Fast Presto Very quickly Accelerando (accel. ) Get faster Ritardando (rit. ) Get slower

DYNAMICS • Dynamic words describe VOLUME. Symbol Italian Meaning Soft pp pianissimo Very soft p piano Soft mp mezzo piano Moderately soft mf mezzo forte Moderately loud f forte Loud ff fortissimo Very loud (cresc. ) crescendo Get louder (dim. ) diminuendo/ Get softer decrescendo

OTHER • This is called a FERMATA or PAUSE in English. • It means ‘hold the note longer than written’. • Usually the note is held for twice its value. • A fermata on a crotchet means ‘hold the note for _____ beats’.

EXERCISE 1 • Write a T (tempo) or D (Dynamic) next to the following terms and symbols: T D D Pp Moderato T Fortissimo D Mf D Largo Crescendo Accelerando T Piano D Allegro T

EXERCISE 2 • Use your knowledge of Italian words and symbols to write the following: Play loudly but very slowly f lento Play slowly at a medium volume Lento/largo mf/mp Get louder crescendo Speed up accelerando Play softly but very fast p vivace/presto Play at a medium volume and speed mf/mp moderato Get quieter diminuendo / decrescendo Play very softly and fast pp allegro