Moderato – at a moderate pace

(Pronounced mod-uh-rah-toh)

We only need to change one letter to remember the definition of this word.

Change the o to an e should be enough to remember this word.

Examples of moderato in a sentence

The first sonata in the series is marked moderato, to be played at a medium tempo.

Although the sheet music said it should be played moderato, she attacked the test piece at blistering speed and was not offered a place at the conservatoire.

He decided it would be fun to speed up the piece, even though it was supposed to be played moderato.

Piano (P.) – Quietly

(Pronounced pee-an-oh)

Note: Piano is Italian and in music it means play quietly.

The tiny mouse played the piano so quietly so that she didn't wake anyone up.

Note: often abbreviated to P.

Examples of piano in a sentence

Playing the piece piano style was not really an option: the hall was huge and the sound would not carry.

In the piano section, the French horn must be played quietly to evoke a sense of eeriness.

She was too heavy on the timpani in the piano part and the conductor signalled her to play more quietly.

Pianissimo (PP.) – Very quiet

(Pronounced pee-uh-niss-im-oh)

Note: abbreviated often to PP. (double quiet i.e. very quiet).

Will she pee on this sumo (pianissimo)? The baby is very quiet, but she is full of surprises! 

Examples of pianissimo in a sentence

She played her harp in pianissimo style, so quietly it could barely be heard, but the quietness added to the mysterious quality of the piece.

The punk band had never heard of pianissimo - every performance for them was loud and raucous.

The players started off loudly, but ended in a much quieter, pianissimo mode.

Poco – A little

(Pronounced poh-koh)

Note: Poco is often used in the context of "poco a poco" which means "little by little" - e.g., "Accelerando poco a poco" means "accelerate little by little".

Their Thursday night poker (poco) game was a little treat after a hard week's scavenging.

Examples of mezzo in a sentence

As each instrument is introduced to the piece, the sound builds poco a poco until it becomes fully orchestral.

The song slows down poco a poco rather than suddenly changing tempo, then builds back up in the same way, little by little.

Her voice fades poco a poco towards the end of the recording, trailing off into nothingness.

Rallentando (or rallo) – Gradually getting slower

(Pronounced rah-luhn-tahn-doh)

As Dad approached the rally on a tandem (rallentando) he got gradually slower.

Examples of rallentando in a sentence

After the rallentando that ends the first movement, the start of the second does the opposite and gradually speeds up.

The conductor obsessively controlled every rallentando, using computer technology to signal the beats of the slowing pace.

The rallentando slowed the pace so much the audience thought it was the end of the piece and prematurely applauded.

Ritardando (or ritard. or rit.) – Gradually getting slower

(Pronounced Ree-tahr-dahn-doh)

The roadworkers re-tarred and do (ritardando) repairs on the road but got gradually slower as they become tired.

Examples of ritardando in a sentence

The orchestra gradually slowed the tempo - it was a great example of the effectiveness of ritardando.

The pianist was always using ritardando, slowing down his music when there was no real reason for it.

As an experienced guitarist, he knew exactly how to use ritardando to full effect, slowing the pace and increasing the intensity.

Ritenuto (riten. or rit.) – an immediate, or sudden, reduction in speed or tempo

(Pronounced ree-tuh-noo-toh)

Please believe that I have written you too (ritenuto) but the postal service strike may suddenly slow down my letter.

Examples of ritenuto in a sentence

The musical piece moves from fast to slow so suddenly it takes the audience by surprise: that is the effect of ritenuto.

In film scores, ritenuto is an accepted technique used to signal a change of atmosphere to cinemagoers.

The ritenuto - a sudden change from the upbeat to the slow and dreamy - was quite abrupt; on the dance floor, there was an inevitable awkwardness while everybody adjusted.

Staccato (or stacc.) – Each note detached or separated from each other

(Pronounced sta-kah-tow)

The stack of cards were oh (staccato) so high but then suddenly tumbled and the cards became detached.

Examples of staccato in a sentence

She sang partly in staccato - there was a little pause between each word and this added extra emphasis to them.

To get the best out of this song, some of it needs to be sung staccato to give clarity to the meaning.

The staccato rhythms in the final act of the opera help to portray the hostility and tension between the characters.

Tempo – Speed, time

(Pronounced tem-poh)

Note: Tempo is the rate of speed of a musical piece indicated by directions (such as largo or allegro) and often by an exact metronome marking.

He was so naughty he lost his temper (tempo) all the time.

Examples of tempo in a sentence

Her version of the song was really up-tempo, moving along at a pleasingly fast pace.

Too many changes of tempo in a song can be unsettling, even wearing, for the listener.

The busker played his song faster and faster, speeding up the tempo to the delight of the crowd.