a, à (Fr.) – "at", "to", "by", "for", "in", "in the style of".
aber (Gr.) – "but".
a cappella – in the manner of chapel music, without instrumental accompaniment.
accelerando – gradually increasing the tempo; "accelerating".
accentato – "with emphasis"
acciaccatura – "crushing" – A very fast grace note that is "crushed" against the note that follows and takes up no value in the measure.
accompagnato – "accompanied" – The accompaniment must follow the singer who can speed up or slow down at will.
adagietto – "rather slow."
adagio – "slow."
adagissimo – "very slow."
ad libitum (commonly ad lib) – the speed and manner are left to the performer.
affettuoso – "tenderly".
affrettando – "hurrying," pressing onwards.
agile – "swiftly"
agitato – "agitated."
al, alla – "to the", "in the manner of".
alla breve – two minim (half-note) beats to a bar, rather than four crotchet (quarter-note) beats.
alla marcia – "in the style of a march".
allargando – "broadening," "getting a little slower."
allegretto – "a little lively," or "moderately fast."
allegro – "lively," or "fast."
als (Gr.) – "than".
altissimo – "very high"
amabile – "amiable", "pleasant".
amoroso – "loving".
andante – "moderate tempo," just this side of slow.
andantino – slightly faster than andante.
animato – "animated", "lively".
apaisé (Fr.) – "calmed".
a piacere – "at pleasure". Used to indicate that the performer does not have to follow the rhythm strictly.
appassionato – "passionately."
appoggiatura – "leaning" – A grace note that "leans" on the following note, taking up some of its value in the measure.
a prima vista – Playing something at first sight of the sheet music
arietta – a short aria
arioso – "airy"
arpeggio – literally, like a harp. Used to indicate that the notes of a certain chord are to be played quickly one after another (usually from lowest to highest) instead of at the same moment. In piano music this is sometimes a solution in playing a wide-ranged chord whose notes cannot be played otherwise. Music generated by the limited hardware of video game computers uses a similar technique to create a chord from one tone generator. Arpeggios (or arpeggi) are also accompaniment patterns.
arco – "played with the bow," as opposed to pizzicato "plucked," in music for bowed instruments.
assai – "very."
assez (Fr.) – "enough", "sufficiently". Sometimes used in the same sense as assai.
a tempo – "in time", used on its own to indicate that the performer should return to the main tempo of the piece (after an accelerando or ritardando), also may be found in combination with other terms such as a tempo giusto (in strict time) or a tempo di menuetto (at the speed of a minuet).
attacca – (at the end of a movement): a direction to begin (attack) the next movement immediately, without a gap or pause.
Musical terminology - A
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