piano

Soft

Forte

Loud

mezzo piano

moderately soft

mezzo forte

moderately loud

pianissimo

very soft

fortissimo

very loud

crescendo

gradually louder

decrescendo

gradually softer

Largo

very slow

Adagio

slow

Andante

moving along (walking speed)

Moderato

moderately

Allegro

quickly, cheerfully

Vivace

lively and fast

Ritardando

gradually slower

Accelerando

gradually faster

Tempo

rate of speed

Staccato

short and detached

Accent

Note louder with special emphasis

Sforzando

sudden, strong accent "forcing."

Tenuto

Hold note for its full value "held."

Fermata

Hold longer than normal value