accent
a stressed note
allegro
fast
allegretto
fairly fast (a little slower than allegro)
andante
moderately slow; at a walking pace
a tempo
return to the original tempo
common time
a symbol for 4/4
crescendo, cresc
becoming louder
D.C. al Fine
repeat from the beginning and end at Fine
da capo, D.C.
from the beginning
decrescendo, decresc.
becoming softer
diminuendo
becoming softer
double bar line
indicates the end of a piece
fermata
pause, hold the note or rest for longer than it's written value
fine
the end
forte
loud
fortissimo
very loud
legato
smooth
lento
slow
mezzo forte
moderately loud
mezzo piano
moderately soft
moderato
at a moderate tempo
molto
much, very
Pedale, ped.
use the damper pedal (on the piano)
pianissimo
very soft
piano
soft
poco
little
presto
very fast
rallentando, rall.
slowing down
repeat sign
repeat the music within the double bar lines
ritardando, rit.
slowing down gradually
slur
play the notes smoothly (legato)
staccato
detached
tempo
speed at which music is performed
tenuto
held, sustained
tie
hold for the combined value of the tied notes