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Performance details can cover a range of elements, but the most important ones are:
- Dynamics
- Tempo
- Articulation
- Mood
Dynamics
Dynamics are the louds and softs of the piece
ff – fortissimo, very loud
f – forte, loud
mf - mezzo forte, moderately loud
mp - mezzo piano, moderately soft
p - piano, soft
pp – pianissimo, very soft
crescendo – gradually getting louder
diminuendo – gradually getting softer
Tempo
This is the speed at which the piece is played. Sometimes there is a metronome marking stating the beats per minute (e.g. M.M crotchet = 60 means 60 crotchet beats per minute) Other times there isan instruction given at the start.
Allegro Fast
Andante At a walking pace
Adagio Slow
A tempo Back to original speed
Accelerando Speeding up
Rallentando Slowing down
Ritenuto Holding back
Articulation
This is the way the piece is played i.e. smoothly, disjointed etc.
legato a curve over the notes, indicating played smoothly
stacatto notes are played short and detached, indicated by a dot underneath the note
lean a line underneath the note, indicating a stress or emphasis
Mood
This refers to the feeling of the music and is an indication of how it should be played
Agitato Agitated
Dolce Sweetly
Cantabile In a singing style
Maestoso Majestically
Vivace Lively
Con Brio With life
