"

Expression Terms

Term Definition
Agitato Excited, agitated
Animato Animated, with spirit
Cantabile In a singing manner
Comodo Leisurely
Con bravura With Boldness
Con brio With gusto, vigor
Con fuoco With fire
Con tenerezza With tenderness
Dolce Sweetly
Dolente Sad, mournful
Elan, avec With dash
Espressivo Expressively (Be careful of this Italian spelling!)
Facile Easy, fluent
Giocoso Humorously
Giusto Moderately
Grandioso Majestically
Grazioso Elegantly
Leggiero Lighly, airy
Maestoso Majestically
Pesante Heavy, ponderous
Scherzando Playfully
Secco Dry
Semplice Simple, unaffected
Tranquillo Calmly, quietly

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Music in Motion: A Conductor's Guide to Musical Communication Copyright © 2024 by Lesley Maxwell Mann is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.