## FAQ: Music terminology

The music terms in this glossary are available for use when notating with NoteWorthy Composer. Each term can be found in the Insert menu of NoteWorthy Composer under the command matching the heading below. For example, Pianissimo is defined under the heading Dynamic. To use a Pianissimo symbol (pp) in NoteWorthy Composer, you would select the Dynamic command from the Insert menu.

Dynamics

Dynamics are terms or symbols that define the level in which the music is to be played. The dynamics listed below are in order from soft to loud.

Dynamic | Notated | Performed as
--- | --- | ---
Pianissimo | pp | Very soft
Piano | p | Soft
Mezzo Piano | mp | Moderately soft
Mezzo Forte | mf | Moderately loud
Forte | f | Loud
Fortissimo | ff | Very loud

Dynamic Variance

Dynamic Variances are terms or symbols indicating change from soft to loud or loud to soft.

Name | Notated | Performed as
--- | --- | ---
Crescendo | cresc. | Gradually play louder
Decrescendo | decresc | Gradually play softer
Diminuendo | dim. | Play to diminish (decresc)
Rinforzando | rfz | Play to reinforce
Sforzando | sfz | Play forcibly

Flow Direction

These terms are used to indicate the direction, or flow of play.

Name | Performed as
--- | ---
Coda | Tail/Marker for al Coda redirections
Segno | Sign/Marker for Dal Segno redirections
Fine | End play after a redirection
To Coda | Go to the Coda
Da Capo (D.C.) | From the beginning
D.C. al Coda | Play from the beginning to the Coda
D.C. al Fine | Play from the beginning to the Fine
Dal Segno | From the Segno
D.S. al Coda | Play from the Segno to the Coda
D.S. al Fine | Play from the Segno to the Fine

Performance Style

Performance style is the manner in which music is played. NoteWorthy Composer does not generally change its play back style based on performance styles, except in the case of Legato/Tenuto.

Style Name | Intended Performance Change
--- | ---
Ad Libitum | Improvise as you wish
Animato | Animated
Cantabile | Allow for singing
Con brio | Animated
Dolce | Sweetly
Espressivo | Expressive
Grazioso | Gracefully
Legato | Smooth and connected
Maestoso | Majestically
Marcato | Marked
Meno mosso | Slower, less lively
Poco a poco | Little by little
Pił mosso | Faster, more lively
Semplice | Simply
Simile | Similarly
Solo | Alone
Sostenuto | Sustained
Sotto Voce | Toned down voice
Staccato | Short and disconnected
Subito | Suddenly
Tenuto | Hold for full value
Tutti | All
Volta Subito | Turn quickly

Tempo

Tempo terms designate the rate or speed to play the music. The terms below are in order from slow to fast.

Name | Intended Tempo
--- | ---
Largo | Very slow
Larghetto | Slow, but not as slow as largo
Adagio | Slow
Lento | Slow
Moderato | Moderate
Andante | Walking speed
Andantino | A bit faster than andante
Allegretto | Moderately fast
Allegro | Fast, cheerful
Vivace | Lively
Presto | Fast
Prestissimo | Very fast

Tempo Variance

These terms and symbols denote a change in speed from slow to fast or fast to slow.

Name | Intended Change
--- | ---
Breath Mark | Pause, take a breath
Fermata | Hold longer
Accelerando | Increase speed
Allargando | Slow down
Rallentando | Decrease speed
Ritardando | Gradually play slower
Ritenuto | Hold back
Rubato | Freely
Stringendo | Hurry up