A reference for every musician
These are the basic terms and symbols that every musician needs to know to perform any genre of Western music. Strong, literate musicians know these terms — and know how to perform a composition when these terms and symbols are written in the music. Be a strong and literate musician.
A sign placed before a note to alter its previously understood pitch by one or two semitones.
Sharp
Raises the pitch of a note by one half step.
Flat
Lowers the pitch of a note by one half step.
Natural
Cancels a previous accidental, or modifies the pitch of a sharp or flat as defined by the prevailing key signature (such as F-sharp in the key of G major).
Double Sharp
Raises the pitch of a note by two chromatic semitones (a whole step). Usually used when the note to be modified is already sharped by the key signature.
Double Flat
Lowers the pitch of a note by two chromatic semitones (a whole step). Usually used when the note to be modified is already flatted by the key signature.
The separation of successive notes from one another — singly or in groups — by a performer, and the manner in which this is done. More broadly applied to phrasing in general.
Tenuto
May indicate that a note be played for its full value, or slightly longer; a slight dynamic emphasis; or a separate attack on a note. (A short bar over or under the note.)
Staccato
Performed in a detached, separated manner between notes. (A dot over or under the note.)
Accent
The note is played louder, or with a harder attack, than surrounding unaccented notes. May appear on notes of any duration.
Marcato
The note is played somewhat louder or more forcefully than a regular accent (an open vertical wedge).
Fermata
An indefinitely-sustained note, chord, or rest. Shows a halt in tempo and can be placed above or below the note.
Tie
Two or more notes joined together are played as one note with their time values added. The notes must be identical (same line or space); otherwise it is a slur.
Slur
Two or more notes played in one physical stroke, one uninterrupted breath, or connected into a phrase. May join any number of notes of varying pitches.
Caesura
Indicates a brief, silent pause during which time is not counted. In ensemble playing, time resumes when the conductor indicates.
Breath Mark
Tells the performer or singer to take a breath (or make a slight pause). Usually does not affect the overall tempo.
The aspect of musical expression resulting from variation in the volume of sound — the loudness and softness of the music being performed.
Pianississimo
Extremely soft.
Pianissimo
Very soft. Usually the softest indication in a piece.
Piano
Soft. One of the most often used indications.
Mezzo Piano
Literally, half as soft as piano — medium soft.
Mezzo Forte
Half as loud as forte — medium loud. If no dynamic appears, mezzo-forte is assumed.
Forte
Loud. Used as often as piano to indicate contrast.
Fortissimo
Very loud. Usually the loudest indication in a piece.
Fortississimo
Extremely loud.
Crescendo
A gradual increase in volume. Shown as an opening hairpin (<). Can be extended under many notes.
Diminuendo (Decrescendo)
A gradual decrease in volume. Shown as a closing hairpin (>). Can be extended in the same manner as a crescendo.
Sforzando
Literally "forced" — an abrupt, fierce accent on a single sound or chord.
Symbols that direct the performer to repeat sections of the music or jump to its ending passage.
Dal Segno (D.S.)
Lit. "from the sign" — repeat from the nearest segno. Often followed by al fine (to the word fine) or al coda (to the coda sign).
Segno
Mark used with dal segno.
Da Capo (D.C.)
Lit. "from the top" — repeat from the beginning. Followed by al fine or al coda.
Coda
Indicates a forward jump to the ending passage. Only used after a D.S. al coda or D.C. al coda.
Repeat
Encloses a passage to be played more than once. With no left repeat sign, the right sign sends you back to the start or nearest double bar.
Simile Marks
Denote that preceding groups of beats or measures are to be repeated (one measure, or two measures).
Volta Brackets
1st and 2nd endings — a repeated passage is played with different endings on different playings. More than two endings are possible.
Tempo is the speed at which the beats happen in a composition. It can remain steady or speed up and slow down. "Tempo" is the Italian word for "time." BPM means Beats Per Minute — the number you set on a metronome. These ranges are generalities, not strict rules.
Grave
Slow and solemn (20–40 BPM).
Largo
Broadly (40–60 BPM).
Adagio
Slow and stately, literally "at ease" (66–76 BPM).
Andante
At a walking pace (76–108 BPM).
Andantino
Slightly faster than andante (in some cases, slightly slower).
Moderato
Moderately (108–120 BPM).
Allegretto
Moderately fast (but less so than allegro).
Allegro Moderato
Moderately quick (112–124 BPM).
Allegro
Fast, quick and bright (120–168 BPM).
Vivace
Lively and fast, ≈140 BPM (quicker than allegro).
Presto
Very fast (168–200 BPM).
Prestissimo
Extremely fast (more than 200 BPM).
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Be a strong and literate musician.