Pronouncing Dictionary of Musical Terms

How to say it as well as what it means: every Italian, German and French musical term of 1896, respelled phonetically for the student.

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Tempo (It.)

Time. "Tempo" is universally used to signify " rate of movement." Tempo Indications- Slow Largo, Grave, Lento, Adagio.

Fast { { Andante, Moderate Moderato, Commodo.

Allegro, Presto.

Words used to modify the above: Poco, a little. Before a word meaning slow, signifies an increase of speed, as poco lento, a little slow; before a word meaning fast, it signifies a decrease of speed, as poco allegro, a little fast. Piu, more. Before a word meaning slow, signifies a decrease of speed, as piu lento, slower; before a word meaning fast, it signifies an increase of speed, as piu allegro, faster. Assai, very. After a word meaning slow, decreases the speed, as adagio assai, very slow; after a word meaning fast, increases the speed, as allegro assai. Molto, much; has the same meaning as assai.

Slow THE DIMINUTIVE Etto. {Larghetto, a little faster than Largo.

Adagietta, a little faster than [Adagio. [Allegro.

Fast, Allegretto, a little slower than { THE SUPERLATIVE Issimo.

Larghissimo, } As slow as possible.

Slow Lentissimo, Adagissimo, Fast Prestissimo, } Fast as possible.

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