NotePlayMusicMusical Terms & Dynamics
Learn what common Italian terms and dynamic signs mean, ported from ABRSM Grade 1 style practice questions.
Objectives
- Know what staccato and decrescendo mean.
- Recognize common tempo terms like Adagio.
- Read dynamic markings such as mp.
Worksheet
What does the term staccato mean?
Answer: ______________________
What does the term decrescendo mean?
Answer: ______________________
What does the term Adagio mean?
Answer: ______________________
What does the sign mp mean?
Answer: ______________________
Answer Key
- Detached — Staccato means detached.
- Gradually getting quieter — Decrescendo means gradually getting quieter.
- Slow — Adagio means slow.
- Moderately quiet — mp means mezzo piano, which is moderately quiet.
1. What does the term staccato mean?
💡 Think about how staccato notes look and sound on paper and in performance — short dots above or below the notehead, played crisp and separated rather than smoothly connected. What word describes notes played that way?
2. What does the term decrescendo mean?
3. What does the term Adagio mean?
4. What does the sign mp mean?