Dynamics and tempo: the Italian words

Many musical instructions are written in Italian, because Italian music and musicians were very influential across Europe when these markings became standard. Learn them once and you can read music from anywhere.

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Dynamics

Dynamics tell you how loud or quiet to play:
Mezzo means 'half' or 'moderately'.
SignItalianMeaning
pppianissimovery quiet
ppianoquiet
mpmezzo pianomoderately quiet
mfmezzo fortemoderately loud
fforteloud
fffortissimovery loud

Changing dynamics

Crescendo (cresc.) means get gradually louder. It is often shown by a sign that opens out, like <.
Diminuendo (dim.) or decrescendo means get gradually quieter, shown by a sign that closes up, like >.
A sforzando (sfz) is a sudden strong accent on one note.

Tempo words

Tempo markings, from slow to fast:
Changes of tempo: accelerando (gradually faster), rallentando or ritardando (gradually slower), a tempo (back to the original speed).
ItalianMeaning
Largovery slow and broad
Adagioslow
Andanteat a walking pace
Moderatoat a moderate speed
Allegrofast and lively
Prestovery fast
Worked example

A piece starts p, ends ff and gets faster all the way through. Which Italian words describe it?

  1. p is piano: quiet. ff is fortissimo: very loud.
  2. Getting gradually louder is a crescendo.
  3. Getting gradually faster is accelerando.

Answer: It starts piano, crescendos to fortissimo and has an accelerando.

Key idea

Dynamics: pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff; crescendo means gradually louder and diminuendo gradually quieter. Tempo: largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, presto; accelerando means gradually faster and rallentando gradually slower.

Key words
Dynamics
How loud or quiet music is.
Tempo
The speed of the music.
Crescendo
Gradually getting louder.
Diminuendo
Gradually getting quieter. Also called decrescendo.
Largo
A very slow, broad tempo.
Adagio
A slow tempo.

All KS3 Music key terms and definitions →

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. What does piano (p) mean as a dynamic?

    1. Loud
    2. Quiet
    3. Fast
    4. Slow
    Show the answer

    Answer: Quiet

    Piano means quiet.

  2. What does mf (mezzo forte) mean?

    1. Moderately quiet
    2. Moderately loud
    3. Very loud
    4. Very quiet
    Show the answer

    Answer: Moderately loud

    Mezzo means moderately, forte means loud.

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.