Italian Musical Terms

  Glossary of music performance directions.
A great many musical terms are in Italian. It shouldn't be surprising that so many musical terms are Italian, since many of the most important early composers in the renaissance period were Italian, and that period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time. (See also sheet music.) Here are some of these expressions:
Italian term>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | Literal translation bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Definition

Musical forms

A cappella*>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | in chapel style bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Sung with no instrumental accompaniment
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Aria bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | air bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A song, esp. one from an opera
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Arietta bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little air bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A short or light aria
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Ballabile bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | danceable bgcolor="#ffdddd" | (song) to be danced to
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Battaglia bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | battle bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A piece suggesting a battle
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Bergamasca bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | from Bergamo bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A peasant dance from Bergamo
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Burletta bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | a little joke bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A light comic or farcical opera
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Cadenza bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | falling bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A florid solo at the end of a performance
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Capriccio bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | caprice bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A lively piece of music
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Coda bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | tail bgcolor="#ffdddd" | The end of a piece
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Concerto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | concert bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A work for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Concertino bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little concert bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A short concerto; the solo instrument in a concerto
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Concerto grosso bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | big concert bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A Baroque form of concerto, with a group of solo instruments
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Libretto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little book bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A work containing the words to an opera or musical
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Opera bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | work bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A drama set to music for singers and instrumentalists
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Opera buffa bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | humorous opera bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A comic opera
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Opera seria bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | serious opera bgcolor="#ffdddd" | An opera with a serious, esp. classical theme
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Sonata bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | sounded bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A composition for one or two instruments in sonata form
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Intermezzo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | interval bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A short connecting instrumental movement

Musical instruments

Piano(forte)>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | soft-loud bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A keyboard instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Viola bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | viola, orig. Latin vitulari "be joyful" bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A medium-sized stringed instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | (Violon)cello bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | Small violone (violone means "big viola") bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A large stringed instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Viola da gamba bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | leg viola bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A stringed instrument held between the legs
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Viola da braccio bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | arm viola bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A stringed instrument held in the arm, such as a violin or viola
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Viola d'amore bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | love viola bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A tenor viol with no frets
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Tuba bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | tube bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A large brass instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Piccolo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A tiny woodwind instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Timpani bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | drums bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A large drum
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Cornetto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little horn bgcolor="#ffdddd" | An old woodwind instrument
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Campana bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | bell bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A bell used in an orchestra; also campane "bells"
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Orchestra bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | orchestra, orig. Greek orkesthai "dance" bgcolor="#ffdddd" | An ensemble of instruments

Voices

Soprano>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | upper bgcolor="#ffdddd" | The highest vocal line
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Mezzo-soprano bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | middle soprano bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Between soprano and alto
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Alto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | high bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Second-highest vocal line
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Contralto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | against high bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Alto, esp. a female alto
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Basso bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | low bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Or "bass;" the lowest vocal line
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Basso profondo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | deep and low bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A very deep bass voice
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Castrato bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | castrated bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A male singer, castrated so as to be able to sing soprano (now sung by women, conventional countertenors, or sopranisti)

Tempo

Tempo>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | time bgcolor="#ffdddd" | The speed of a piece of music
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Largo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | broad bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Slow and dignified
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Larghetto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | a little bit broad bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Not as slow as largo
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Lento bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | slow bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Slow
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Adagio bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | ad agio, at ease bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Slow, but not as slow as largo
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Adagietto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little adagio bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Faster than adagio; or a short adagio composition
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Andante bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | walking bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Moderately slow, flowing along
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Comodo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | comfortable bgcolor="#ffdddd" | At moderate speed
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Allegretto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | a little bit joyful bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Slightly slower than allegro
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Allegro bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | joyful bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Moderately fast
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Presto bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | ready bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Very fast
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Prestissimo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very ready bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Very very fast
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Accelerando bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | accelerating bgcolor="#ffdddd" | accelerating
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Affrettando bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | becoming hurried bgcolor="#ffdddd" | accelerating
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Accompagnato bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | accompanied bgcolor="#ffdddd" | The accompaniment must follow the singer who can speed up or slow down at will

Dynamics - volume

Calando>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | quietening bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Becoming softer
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Crescendo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | growing bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Becoming louder
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Decrescendo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | shrinking bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Becoming softer
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Diminuendo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | dwindling bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Becoming softer
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Forte bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | strong bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Loud
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Fortissimo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very strong bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Very loud
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Mezzo forte bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | half-strong bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Moderately loud
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Piano bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | gentle bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Soft
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Pianissimo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very gentle bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Very soft
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Mezzo piano bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | half-gentle bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Moderately soft

Moods

Affettuoso>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with feeling bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Tenderly
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Con brio bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with spirit bgcolor="#ffdddd" | With spirit
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Cantabile bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | singable bgcolor="#ffdddd" | In a fashion suggesting singing
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Vivace bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | lively bgcolor="#ffdddd" | up-tempo
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Maestoso bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | Majestic bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Stately
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Agitato bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | agitated bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Excited and fast
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Animato bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | animated bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Animated
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Bruscamente bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | brusquely bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Brusquely
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Con amore bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with love bgcolor="#ffdddd" | with love
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Con fuoco bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with fire bgcolor="#ffdddd" | with fiery manner

Musical expression (general)

Molto>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Used with other terms, as "molto allegro"
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Assai bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Used with other terms, as "allegro assai"
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Poco bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | little bgcolor="#ffdddd" | "a little". Used with other terms, as "poco diminuendo"
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | ma non troppo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | but not too much bgcolor="#ffdddd" | But not too much (allegro ma non troppo)

Directions

Attacca>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | attack bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Proceed to the next section without pause
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Cambiare bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | change bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Any change, such as to a new instrument

Techniques

Coloratura>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | coloration bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Elaborate ornamentation of a vocal line
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Altissimo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | very high bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Very high
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Arpeggio bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | harp-like bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A chord with the notes spread out in time
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Acciaccatura bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | crushing bgcolor="#ffdddd" | An extra, very fast grace note
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Appoggiatura bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | leaning bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A type of ornament
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Bocca chiusa bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | mouth closed bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Wordless humming in a choral piece
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Chiuso bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | closed bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Calls for a horn to be muted by hand
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Col legno bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with the wood bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Calls for a bowed instrument to be struck with the wood rather than the hair of the bow
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Pizzicato bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | plucked(?) bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Calls for a bowed instrument to be plucked with the fingers
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Col arco bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | with the bow bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Cancels "col legno" and "pizzicato"
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Basso continuo bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | continuous bass bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Continuous bass accompaniment
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Coperti bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | covered bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Of a drum, muted with a cloth
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Una corda bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | one string bgcolor="#ffdddd" | With the soft pedal, on a piano
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Due corde bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | two strings bgcolor="#ffdddd" | With the soft pedal, on a piano. For why both terms exist, see piano.
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Tre corde or tutte le corde bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | Three strings or all the strings bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Cancels an una corda
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Scordatura bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | (...) bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Alternate tuning (of strings)

Roles

Prima donna>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | first lady bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Leading female role
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Comprimario/a bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | con primario, with the first bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A supporting role

Criticism

Bel canto>
bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | beautiful voice bgcolor="#ffdddd" | Any fine singing, esp. that popular in 18th and 19th c. Italian opera
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Bravura bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | skill bgcolor="#ffdddd" | A performance of extraordinary virtuosity
bgcolor="#ddffdd" | Bravo! bgcolor="#f8f8f8" | skillful bgcolor="#ffdddd" | a cry of congratulation to a male singer or performer. Fem. brava, pl. bravi, fem.pl. brave

See also

External links

 

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