A tempo
Return to the original tempo after some deviation
Accelerando
Become gradually faster
allargando
slowing of tempo, usually with increasing volume; most frequently occurs toward the end of a piece
Allegro con spirits
Fast tempo with spirit
Anacrusis
Upbeat / Pickup
Andante
rather slow, at a moderate walking speed
Arpeggio
Notes of a chord played in succession in stead of simultaneously/ broken chord
bel canto
beautiful singing"; an Italian Opera term
Binary Form (AB)
form of a composition that has two distinct sections
cantabile
in a singing style; singable
chromatic
Motions by half steps
D. C. (Da Capo)
repeat from the beginning
descant
high obligato above the main melody
Divisi
performers singing the same part are divided to sing different parts
Dolce
Sweetly usually also soft
espressivo
To play or sing with expression
falsetto
type of vocal phonation that enables the singer to sing notes beyond the normal vocal range
Fermata
a hold or pause
Form
The organization and structure of a composition
Grandiose
Grand; majestic
Improvisation
music that is created spontaneously
Largo
Very slow and broad
Legato
to play or sing in a smooth, connected manner
l'istesso
The beat remains constant when the meter changes
Memo mosso
less motion
Modulation
A change of key within a composition
Niente
Dying away to nothing
Opera
a major vocal work that involves theatrical elements
Oratorio
large scale musical composition on a sacred subject
Part song
an unaccompanied homophonic choral composition for three or more voices
Poco piu mosso
a little more motion
Presto
Very fast
Rallentando
gradually slowing down
Rubato
a flexible tempo using slight variations of speed to enhance musical expression
Senza
Withoit
Sfordzando
Without
sotto voce
softly; with subdued sound; performed in an undertone
Strophic
describes a song where the stanzas are all sung to the same music
Subito
Suddenly quickly
Tessitura
most widely used range of pitches in a piece of music
tranquillo
To perform in a relaxed tempo
Triad
3 root chord , root third and fifth
vivace
lively and fast brisk