Animato (musical term)
Animato is an Italian musical term meaning “animated” or “lively,” used as an expressive direction indicating a spirited, energetic performance.
Tempo, Dynamics & Italian Terms
Explore Tempo, Dynamics & Italian Terms with music dictionary guides to speed, volume, expression, and performance directions.
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Stringendo (tempo marking)
Stringendo is a tempo indication instructing musicians to gradually increase the speed of the music. It appears in scores across many styles, often alongside accelerando, and affects phrasing and expressive intensity.
Metronome Marking
A metronome marking indicates the exact speed of a piece of music, usually expressed in beats per minute (BPM). It guides performers in maintaining a consistent tempo throughout a composition.
Andantino
Andantino is an Italian tempo marking indicating a speed slightly faster than andante, though interpretations vary. It guides performers on a moderately brisk pace, often used in Classical and Romantic repertoire.
Morendo
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Tempo Primo (musical term)
Tempo Primo is an Italian musical instruction meaning “the original tempo.” It tells performers to return to the initial speed after a temporary change such as a ritardando or accelerando.
Simile (music)
In music notation, a simile marking indicates that a passage should be performed with the same articulation, bowing, or dynamic approach as the preceding material. It streamlines scores by avoiding repetitive markings and is common in string and wind repertoire.
Rallentando (music)
Rallentando, often abbreviated as “rit.”, is an Italian musical term indicating a gradual slowing of the tempo. It is used across many genres to create expressive phrasing and dramatic effect.
Leggiero (musical articulation)
Leggiero is an Italian musical term meaning “lightly” or “with ease.” It directs performers to play a passage with a delicate, airy touch, often contrasted with heavier articulations like marcato or forte.
Niente (musical term)
Niente is an Italian musical term meaning “nothing.” It directs performers to produce an extremely soft, near‑silent sound, often used at the beginning or end of a phrase to create a dramatic fade‑in or fade‑out.