Con Fuoco – Musical Expression Marking
Con fuoco is an Italian performance direction meaning “with fire,” indicating that a passage should be played with passion, intensity, and a bright, energetic character.
Tempo, Dynamics & Italian Terms
Explore Tempo, Dynamics & Italian Terms with music dictionary guides to speed, volume, expression, and performance directions.
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Larghetto (tempo marking)
Larghetto is an Italian tempo indication meaning “somewhat slow and broad,” positioned between largo and adagio. It guides performers on the character and speed of a passage.
Accelerando – Musical Tempo Acceleration
Accelerando is a musical expression indicating a gradual increase in tempo. It is commonly notated in Italian and appears across many genres to convey a sense of building momentum.
Ritardando
Ritardando is a musical term indicating a gradual slowing of tempo. Frequently notated as “rit.”, it is used across many styles to create expressive phrasing and structural emphasis.
Grave (tempo)
Grave is a tempo marking indicating a very slow and solemn pace, typically ranging from 25 to 45 beats per minute. It is used primarily in classical and early‑romantic repertoire to convey profound seriousness or gravitas.
Meno Mosso
Meno mosso is an Italian tempo directive meaning “a little slower.” It appears in scores to indicate a modest reduction in speed, often as a contrast to a preceding faster section.
Adagio
Adagio is a musical tempo marking indicating a slow, leisurely pace. Originating from Italian, it guides performers to play with breadth and expressive calmness.
Lento
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Calando
Calando is an Italian musical term indicating a gradual slowing of tempo, often used interchangeably with rallentando. It directs performers to decelerate the pulse, typically toward the end of a phrase or section, creating a sense of relaxation or finality.
Vivace (musical term)
Vivace is an Italian tempo marking indicating a lively, fast-paced speed. It appears in a wide range of Western music, from Baroque suites to modern pop arrangements. Performers interpret vivace as a brisk, energetic feel, often faster than allegro but slower than presto.