ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching)

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ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching)

2022/6/2

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All Gr Fr It

Level 0 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Transposing > General

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Instrument Keys

• Some Instruments have two "keys"
  • Transposition Key ≠ Tuning Key (for Transposing Instruments)

• Some Instruments have one "key"
  • Transposition Key = Tuning Key (for Transposing Instruments)
  • Tuning Key (for Non-Transposing Instruments), being the pitch when instrument (or certain part of the instrument) is in a "open" position.

• Some Instruments have an implied popular "key"
  • Alto Flute (in G)
  • English Horn (in F)
  • Oboe d'Amore (in A)
  • Cornet (in Bb)
  • Octave/Double Octave Transposing Instrument
    • Glockenspiel, which transposes to C6
    • Xylophone, which transposes to C5
    • Celesta, which transposes to C5
    • Piccolo, which transposes to C5
    • Bass Flute, which transposes to C3
    • Double Bass, which transposes to C3
    • Double Bassoon, which transposes to C3

• Some Instruments do not transpose and so they have no "key"
  • In the case of Non-Transposing Definite Pitch Instrument : The Transposition Key is C4, hence no transposition is needed.
  • In the case of Non-Transposing Indefinite Pitch Instrument : No Transposition to speak of

Transposing Direction

• These Instruments transpose UP UP by more than an Octave (in fact, two Octaves)
  • Glockenspiel (x2)

• These Instruments transpose UP by Octave
  • Xylophone
  • Celesta
  • Piccolo

• Instruments in the key of D, Eb/E, F transpose UP by less than an Octave
  • Clarinet in Eb
  • Trumpets in D, Eb, E, F

• Instruments in the key of G, A, Bb transpose DOWN by less than an Octave
  • Transposing Instruments in Bb (Clarinet, Cornet, Trumpet)
  • Transposing Instruments in A (Clarinet, Oboe d'Amore, Trumpet)
  • Transposing Instruments in G (Alto Flute)

• All Horns transpose DOWN by less than an Octave
  • Transposing Instruments in F (English Horn, Horn)
  • Transposing Instruments in E (Horn)
  • Transposing Instruments in D (Horn)

• These Instruments transpose DOWN by Octave
  • Bass Flute
  • Double Bass
  • Double Bassoon

• These Instruments transpose DOWN DOWN by more than an Octave
  • Bass Clarinet in Bb

Level 01 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
Tenore (It)	Tenor
Contralto (It)	Alto
Basso (It)	Bass
Ténor (Fr)	Tenor
Alto (Fr)	Alto
Basse (Fr)	Bass
Tenor (Gr)	Tenor
Alt (Gr)	Alto
Bass (Gr)	Bass
maggiore (It)	major
majeur (Fr)	major
dur (Gr)	major	dur ~ duration ~ long ~ major
mineur (Fr)	minor
minore (It)	minor
moll (Gr)	minor	eeny, meeny, miny, moe ~ minor moll
dièse (Fr)	sharp	dièse ~ sharp
diesis (It)	sharp	diesis ~ sharp
-is (Gr)	sharp	is sharp es/s flat
bémol (Fr)	flat	bémol ~ b ~ flat
bemolle (It)	flat	bemolle ~ b ~ flat
-es (Gr)	flat	is sharp es/s flat
-s (Gr)	flat	is sharp es/s flat

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
Do	C	"Ut" /yt/ was changed in the 1600s in Italy to "Do"
Ut	C	"Ut" /yt/ was changed in the 1600s in Italy to "Do"
Re	D
Mi	E
Fa	F
Sol	G
La	A
Si	B	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Ti	B	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
as (Gr)	A flat
la bemolle (It)	A flat
la bémol (Fr)	A flat
as (Gr)	A flat
la diesis (It)	A sharp
la dièse (Fr)	A sharp
ais (Gr)	A sharp
B (Gr)	B flat
si bemolle (It)	B flat
si bémol (Fr)	B flat
B (Gr)	B flat
H (Gr)	B
do bemolle (It)	C flat
do bémol (Fr)	C flat
ces (Gr)	C flat
do diesis (It)	C sharp
do dièse (Fr)	C sharp
cis (Gr)	C sharp
re bemolle (It)	D flat
ré bémol (Fr)	D flat
des (Gr)	D flat
re diesis (It)	D sharp
ré dièse (Fr)	D sharp
dis (Gr)	D sharp
es (Gr)	E flat
mi bemolle (It)	E flat
mi bémol (Fr)	E flat
es (Gr)	E flat
fa diesis (It)	F sharp
fa dièse (Fr)	F sharp
fis (Gr)	F sharp
sol bemolle (It)	G flat
sol bémol (Fr)	G flat
ges (Gr)	G flat
sol diesis (It)	G sharp
sol dièse (Fr)	G sharp
gis (Gr)	G sharp

Level 02 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Instrument & Transposing > Woodwind

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Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
A Klarinette (Gr)	Clarinet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Contrabassoon (En)	Double Bassoon	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Contrafagotto (It)	Double Bassoon	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Contrebasson (Fr)	Double Bassoon	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Kontrafagott (Gr)	Double Bassoon	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
B Klarinette (Gr)	Clarinet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	German B is English Bb. German H is English B.
Alt Flöte (Gr)	Alto Flute in G	G3	↓Perfect 4th
B Bassklarinette (Gr)	Bass Clarinet in Bb	Bb2	↓Compound Major 2nd if Treble Clef ↓Major 2nd if Bass Clef	The most common Bass Clarinet is Bb2 Bass Clarinet. German B is English Bb. German H is English B.
Bassflöte (Gr)	Bass Flute	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Basson (Fr)	Bassoon	C4	Non-Transposing	When playing open, the pitch is F.
Clarinette (Fr)	Clarinet	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	The Bb clarinet is often referred to as simply clarinet.
Clarinette en La (Fr)	Clarinet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Clarinette Basse en Si b (Fr)	Bass Clarinet in Bb	Bb2	↓Compound Major 2nd if Treble Clef ↓Major 2nd if Bass Clef	The most common Bass Clarinet is Bb2 Bass Clarinet. In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Clarinette en Mi b (Fr)	Clarinet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Clarinette en Si b (It)	Clarinet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Clarinetto (It)	Clarinet	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	The Bb clarinet is often referred to as simply clarinet.
Clarinetto Basso in Si b (It)	Bass Clarinet in Bb	Bb2	↓Compound Major 2nd if Treble Clef ↓Major 2nd if Bass Clef	The most common Bass Clarinet is Bb2 Bass Clarinet. In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Clarinetto in La (It)	Clarinet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Clarinetto in Si b (It)	Clarinet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Clarinetto Piccolo in Mi b (It)	Clarinet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Es Klarinette (Gr)	Clarinet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Fagott (Gr)	Bassoon	C4	Non-Transposing	When playing open, the pitch is F.
Fagotto (It)	Bassoon	C4	Non-Transposing	When playing open, the pitch is F.
Flauto (It)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing
Flauto Basso (It)	Bass Flute	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Flauto Contralto (It)	Alto Flute in G	G3	↓Perfect 4th
Flauto Grande (It)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing	Grande (It) = Grand (End)
Flauto Piccolo (It)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	Piccolo (It) = Small (En)
Flautino (It)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	-ino (It) = Little (En)
Flöte (Gr)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing
Flûte (Fr)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing
Flûte Basse (Fr)	Bass Flute	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Flûte en Sol (Fr)	Alto Flute in G	G3	↓Perfect 4th
Grande Flûte (Fr)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing	Grande (Fr) = Grand (End)
Grosse Flöte (Gr)	Flute	C4	Non-Transposing
Hautbois d'Amour (Fr)	Oboe d’Amore	A3	↓Minor 3rd	Hautbois (Fr) = Oboe (It, En) Amour (Fr) = Amore (It) = Love (Eng)
Hautbois (Fr)	Oboe	C4	Non-Transposing
Hoboe (Gr)	Oboe	C4	Non-Transposing
Klarinette (Gr)	Clarinet	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	The Bb clarinet is often referred to as simply clarinet.
Kleine Flöte (Gr)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	Kleine = Little (En)
Liebesoboe (Gr)	Oboe D'Amore	A3	↓Minor 3rd	Liebe (Gr) = Love (Eng) Oboe (It, En) ~ Hoboe (Gr)
Ottavino (It)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	-ino (It) = Little Ottavino = Little Octave
Petite Flûte (Fr)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	Petite (Fr) = Small (En)
Piccolo (It)	Piccolo	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	Piccolo (It) = Small (En)

Level 03 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Instrument & Transposing > Mallet Percussion

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Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
Campane (It)	Tubular Bells	C4	Non-Transposing	shortest of all campane- words
Campanelle (It)	Tubular Bells	C4	Non-Transposing	-elle sounds like bell
Campanette (It)	Glockenspiel	C6	↑2 x Perfect 8ve	suffix is not -elle, so not bell
Campanelli (It)	Glockenspiel	C6	↑2 x Perfect 8ve	suffix is not -elle, so not bell
Caisse Claire (Fr)	Snare Drum, because Caisse (Fr) ~ Case (En) Claire (Fr) = Clear (En), hence Staccato sounds Caisse Claire (Fr) = Snare Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-
Caisse Roulante (Fr)	Tenor Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Caisse (Fr) ~ Case Roulante (Fr) = Rolling (En) Case for Drum Roll, best to be in middle range, hence Tenor Drum
Cassa Rullante (It)	Tenor Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Cassa (It) ~ Case Rullante (It) ~ Rolling (En) Case for Drum Roll, best to be in middle range, hence Tenor Drum
Cloches (Fr)	Tubular Bells	C4	Non-Transposing
Cassa Tamburo (It)	Bass Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Cassa (It) ~ Case Tamburo (It) = Drum (En) As big as a Case, hence a Bass Drum.
Glocken (Gr)	Tubular Bells	C4	Non-Transposing
Glockenspiel (Gr)	Glockenspiel	C6	↑ 2 x Perfect 8ve	Spiel (Gr) = Set (En)
Gong ()	Gong	Indefinite Pitch	-
Gran Cassa (It)	Bass Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Gran (It) = Great = Big Cassa (It) = Cash Box (En) ~ Box A Big Box, hence a Bass Drum.
Grosse Caisse (Fr)	Bass Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Grosse (Fr) = Gross (En) = Fat (En) Caisse (Fr) ~ Case A Fat Case, hence a Bass Drum.
Grosse Trommel (Gr)	Bass Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Grosse (Gr) = Gross (En) = Fat (En) Trommel (Gr) = Drum (En) A Fat Drum, hence a Bass Drum.
Kleine Trommel (Gr) Kleine (Gr) = Small (En) Trommel (Gr) = Drum (En)	Snare Drum, because of the use of stiff wires called snares to pull the drum heads tight to produce sharp staccato sound Side Drum, because its size makes it easy to carry during military march	Indefinite Pitch	-
Marimbaphon (Gr)	Marimba	C4	Non-Transposing
Pauken (Gr)	Kettledrums	C4	Non-Transposing	Exception: “Timpani in D” means the drum head is tuned to the pitch D. It does not mean the timpani makes the pitch of D when a written middle C (C4) is played. Drum heads (also called drum skins) are the plastic surfaces on the top and bottom of each drum.
Rührtrommel (Gr)	Tenor Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-	Rühr (Gr) ~ Roll (En) Trommel (Gr) = Drum (En) Roll Drum, hence Drum Roll that is best to be in middle range, hence Tenor Drum
Schellentrommel (Gr)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Schellen (Gr) = Small Bells (Eng) Trommel (Gr) = Drum (En)
Silofono (It)	Xylophone	C5	↑Perfect 8ve
Tambour Militaire (Fr)	Snare Drum, because the staccato sounds (caused by the Drum Head held tightly using Snares) are suited to military march Side Drum, because the instrument needs to be carried on one side during military march.	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tambour (Fr) = Drum (En) Militaire (Fr) = Military (En)
Tamburo Militare (It)	Snare Drum, because the staccato sounds (caused by the drum head held tightly using Snares) are suited to military march. Side Drum, because the instrument needs to be carried on one side during military march.	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tamburo (It) = Drum (En) Militare (It) = Military (En)
Tamburo Piccolo (It)	Snare Drum, Side Drum	Indefinite Pitch	-
Tam-Tam ()	Tam-Tam	Indefinite Pitch	-
Tambourin (Fr)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tambour (Fr) = Drum -in ~ tiny
Tamburin (Gr)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tambur ~ Tamburo (It) = Drum -in ~ tiny
Tamburino (It)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tamburo (It) = Drum -ino (It) ~ tiny
Tambour De Basque (Fr)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tambour (Fr) = Drum Basque (Fr) = Basque Country
Tamburo Basco (It)	Tambourine	Indefinite Pitch	-	Tamburo (It) = Drum Basco (It) ~ Basque Country
Timbales (Fr)	Kettledrums	C4	Non-Transposing
Timpani (It)	Kettledrums	C4	Non-Transposing
Triangel (Gr)	Triangle	Indefinite Pitch	-
Triangolo (It)	Triangle	Indefinite Pitch	-
Vibrafono (It)	Vibraphone	C4	Non-Transposing
Vibraphon (Gr)	Vibraphone	C4	Non-Transposing
Xilofono (It)	Xylophone	C5	↑Perfect 8ve
Xylophon (Gr)	Xylophone	C5	↑Perfect 8ve

Level 04 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Instrument & Transposing > Keyboard Percussion, Other Percussion, String

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Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
Carillon (Fr)	Tower Glockenspiel	Many carillons are transposing instruments, but an increasing number of new carillons have been installed in concert pitch.	Transposition can be anywhere from down a perfect fourth to up an octave.
Célesta (Fr)	Celesta	C5	↑Perfect 8ve
Céleste (Fr)	Celesta	C5	↑Perfect 8ve
Jeu De Timbres (Fr)	Keyboard Glockenspiel	C5	↑Perfect 8ve	Jeu (Fr) = Set (En) Timbre (Fr) /tɛ̃bʁ/ = Timbre /ˈtæmbə(ɹ)/ (En)
Klavier (Gr)	Piano	C4	Non-Transposing
Pianoforte (It)	Piano	C4	Non-Transposing

Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
Alto (It)	Viola	C4	Non-Transposing
Arpa (It)	Harp	C4	Non-Transposing
Basso (It)	Double Bass	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Bratsche (Gr)	Viola	C4	Non-Transposing
Contrabasso (It)	Double Bass	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Contrebasse (Fr)	Double Bass	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Harfe (Gr)	Harp	C4	Non-Transposing
Harpe (Fr)	Harp	C4	Non-Transposing
Kontrabass (Gr)	Double Bass	C3	↓Perfect 8ve
Violine (Gr)	Violin	C4	Non-Transposing
Violino (It)	Violin	C4	Non-Transposing
Violon (Fr)	Violin	C4	Non-Transposing
Violoncello (It)	Cello	C4	Non-Transposing

Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
Becken (Gr)	Cymbals	Indefinite Pitch	-
Castagnette (It)	Castanets	Indefinite Pitch	-
Castagnettes (Fr)	Castanets	Indefinite Pitch	-
Cymbales ( /sɛ̃.bal/Fr)	Cymbals	Indefinite Pitch	-
Kastagnetten (Gr)	Castanets	Indefinite Pitch	-
Piatti (It)	Cymbal	Indefinite Pitch	-	Piatti (It) = Plates (En)

Level 05 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Instrument & Transposing > Brass

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Foreign	English	Key	Transposing	Memory Aid
Althorn in Es (Gr)	Alto Horn in Eb	Eb3	↓Major 6th
Bassoposaune (It)	Bass Trombone	C4	Non-Transposing	posaune ~ position => slide Trombone comes from Tromba (trumpet) and -one. Italian suffix "-one" makes the noun as "big one". Italian suffix "-ino" makes the noun as "small one". The pitch of a brass instrument is the lowest playable resonance frequency of the open instrument.
Cor Anglais (Fr)	English Horn	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Cor en Fa (Fr)	Horn in F	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Cor en Mi (Fr)	Horn in E	E3	↓Minor 6th
Cor en Mi b (Fr)	Horn in Eb	Eb3	↓Major 6th
Cor en Re (Fr)	Horn in D	D3	↓Minor 7th
Cornet à Pistons en Si b (Fr)	Cornet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Cornetta in Si b (It)	Cornet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Kornett (Gr)	Cornet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd
Corno in Mi (It)	Horn in E	E3	↓Minor 6th
Corno in Mi b (It)	Horn in Eb	Eb3	↓Major 6th
Corno in Fa (It)	Horn in F	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Corno in Re (It)	Horn in D	D3	↓Minor 7th
Corno Inglese (It)	English Horn	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Englisch Horn (Gr)	English Horn	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Englisches Horn (Gr)	English Horn	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Horner in D (Gr)	Horns in D	D3	↓Minor 7th
Horner in E (Gr)	Horns in E	E3	↓Minor 6th
Horner in Es (Gr)	Horns in Eb	Eb3	↓Major 6th
Horner in F (Gr)	Horns in F	F3	↓Perfect 5th
Trombone Basse (Fr)	Bass Trombone	C4	Non-Transposing	Italian suffix "-one" makes the noun as "big one". Italian suffix "-ino" makes the noun as "small one". Trombone comes from Tromba (trumpet) and -one. The pitch of a brass instrument is the lowest playable resonance frequency of the open instrument.
Trombone Basso (It)	Bass Trombone	C4	Non-Transposing	Italian suffix "-one" makes the noun as "big one". Italian suffix "-ino" makes the noun as "small one". Trombone comes from Tromba (trumpet) and -one. The pitch of a brass instrument is the lowest playable resonance frequency of the open instrument.
Tuba Bassa (It)	Bass Tuba	C4 (when Non-Transposing)	Written music in Bass Clef is Non-Transposing. Written music in Treble Clef is Transposing.
Tuba Basse (Fr)	Bass Tuba	C4 (when Non-Transposing)	Written music in Bass Clef is Non-Transposing. Written music in Treble Clef is Transposing.
Posaune (Gr)	Trombone	C4	Non-Transposing	Italian suffix "-one" makes the noun as "big one". Italian suffix "-ino" makes the noun as "small one". Trombone comes from Tromba (trumpet) and -one. The pitch of a brass instrument is the lowest playable resonance frequency of the open instrument.
Tromboni (It)	Trombone	C4	Non-Transposing	Italian suffix "-one" makes the noun as "big one". Italian suffix "-ino" makes the noun as "small one". Trombone comes from Tromba (trumpet) and -one. The pitch of a brass instrument is the lowest playable resonance frequency of the open instrument.
Tromba in La (It)	Trumpet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Trompete in A (Gr)	Trumpet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Trompette en La (Fr)	Trumpet in A	A3	↓Minor 3rd
Tromba in Si b (It)	Trumpet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Trompete in B (Gr)	Trumpet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	German B is English Bb. German H is English B.
Trompette en Si b (Fr)	Trumpet in Bb	Bb3	↓Major 2nd	In Anglophone countries, "si" was changed to "ti" by Sarah Glover in the 19th century so every syllable begins with a different letter.
Tromba in Do (It)	Trumpet in C	C4	Non-Transposing
Trompete in C (Gr)	Trumpet in C	C4	Non-Transposing
Trompette en Ut (Fr)	Trumpet in C	C4	Non-Transposing	"Ut" was changed in the 1600s in Italy to “Do”
Tromba in Re (It)	Trumpet in D	D4	↑Major 2nd
Trompete in D (Gr)	Trumpet in D	D4	↑Major 2nd
Trompette en Re (Fr)	Trumpet in D	D4	↑Major 2nd
Tromba in Mi (It)	Trumpet in E	E4	↑Major 3rd
Trompete in E (Gr)	Trumpet in E	E4	↑Major 3rd
Trompette en Mi (Fr)	Trumpet in E	E4	↑Major 3rd
Tromba in Mi b (It)	Trumpet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Trompete in Es (Gr)	Trumpet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Trompette en Mi b (Fr)	Trumpet in Eb	Eb4	↑Minor 3rd
Tromba in Fa (It)	Trumpet in F	F4	↑Perfect 4th
Trompete in F (Gr)	Trumpet in F	F4	↑Perfect 4th
Trompette en Fa (Fr)	Trumpet in F	F4	↑Perfect 4th
Tuba	Tuba	C4 (when Non-Transposing)	Written music in Bass Clef is Non-Transposing. Written music in Treble Clef is Transposing.

Level 06 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance > String

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
arco (It)	on string instrument, return to using bow after pizzicato	arco (It) = Arch = Bow
a punto d'arco (It)	at the point of the bow	punto
à la pointe (Fr)	at the point of the bow
an der spitze (Gr)	at the point of the bow	spike = tip
pizzicato (pizz) (It)	pluck the strings with the fingers	pizzico (It) means "pinch" in Italian Demonstration
flatterzunge (flzg., flz. or flt.) (Gr) frullato (frull) (It) flutter tonguing (often abbreviated to f.t.) (En)	roll an r with the tongue to flutter the tongue	memory aid : gelato is licked by tongue See: Demonstration of Flatterzunge
muta G in D (It)	change tuning on a timpani, change tuning from G to D on a brass instrument, change crook from G to D on a woodwind instrument, change instrument from G to D	mutazione (It) = mutation (En) mutano (It) = change (En) See: Demonstration of Timpani Tuners See: Demonstration of French Horn Crooks
martelé (Fr); martellato (It)	hammered a type of bow stroke when playing string instruments	Demonstration
harmonics (It)	on string instrument, this is produced by lightly touching a vibrating string at certain points along its length

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
sul D (It)	on the D string	su (It) = on (En) sul (It) = su il (It) ~ on the (En) sulla (It) = su la (It) ~ on the (En)
sul G (It)	play on the G string	su (It) = on (En) sul (It) = su il (It) sulla (It) = su la (It)
sul ponticello (It)	bow near or on the bridge This brings out the higher harmonics and produces a nasal tone.	ponte (It) = bridge (En) -icello (It) = little (En) Demonstration su (It) = on (En) sul (It) = su il (It) sulla (It) = su la (It)
sul tasto (It)	for string instruments, to play on the fingerboard
flauntato (It)	for string instruments, to play on the fingerboard to produce a flute-like sound	The bow will have less pressure to produce a more airy flute-like sound
sautille (Fr)	springing
spiccato (It)	on string instrument, make every note detached or light and short	spit Demonstration

Level 07 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance > Harp

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
bisbigliando (It)	on harp, playing repeated notes quickly and softly using fingers of both hands	bis (It) = twice (En) ~ both hands bisbigliando (It) = whispering (En) It is also considered as tremolo produced by a bowed or plucked string instruments (eg. harp). See: Bisbigliando Demonstration
harmonics (En)	on harp, producing sound an octave higher than written	An octave harmonic is notated by indicating the played string with a small circle above it. The resulting note sounds an octave higher than notated. This is the standard notation in contemporary harp literature. There is no need to indicate the sounding note, since a harpist will immediately know that an octave harmonic is meant. There are two ways to produce octave harmonics on a harp - with left hand or with right hand.
près de la table (Fr)	play near the soundboard	memory aid : presence, press, pressure près(Fr) = near (En)
sons bouches (Fr)	stopped notes, produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) boucher (Fr) /bu.ʃe/ = block (En)
sons ètouffès (Fr)	dampen a harp string immediately after it has sounded	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) ètouffès (Fr) /e.tu.fez/ = muffled (En) See: Sons ètouffès Demonstration

Level 08 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance > Percussion

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
sèche (sec) /sɛʃ/ (Fr)	on cymbals, dampen the cymbals immediately after they have sounded	sec (F, masculine singular) ~ sector, dissect (En) sèche (F, feminine singular) ~ sector, dissect (En) This instruction is in contrast to the instruction laissez vibrer. See: Demonstration of Dampening Cymbals
laissez vibrer (l.v.) (Fr)	on cymbals, let a note vibrate and fade away without damping	"laissez" (Fr) means "let it" (En) "vibrer" (Fr) means "vibrate" (En) memory aid : lv sac
roll (En)	rapidly alternate blows from two drumsticks to create sustained sound	See: Demonstration of Drum Roll
bis (It)	twice; repeat a passage	bi- (En) = double (En) bis (It) = twice (En)

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
portamento (It)	playing two different notes on the same string by gliding the finger along the two positions	Demonstration
glissando (gliss) (It)	on string instrument, slide the finger rapidly along the string	glissando (gliss) (It) is an Italianized musical term derived from glisser (gliss) (Fr), meaning "to glide" in French. Demonstration
glissando (gliss) (It)	on trombone, pull the slide while blowing	See: Demonstration of Glissando on Trombone
glissando (gliss) (It) (2020 Paper A)	on harp, draw the fingers rapidly across the strings	glissando (gliss) (It) is an Italianized musical term derived from glisser (gliss) (Fr), meaning "to glide" in French
	glissando

Level 09 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance > Brass

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
stopped note (En)	produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	See: Demonstration No.1 of Hand Stopping in French Horn See: Demonstration No.2 of Hand Stopping in French Horn
cuivre (Fr)	blow hard to force a brassy tone often on a stopped note but can be on open note, too	"cuivre" (Fr) = "copper" (En) chemical symbol for Copper is Cu
sons bouches (Fr)	stopped notes, produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) boucher (Fr) /bu.ʃe/ = block (En)
sons ètouffès (Fr)	dampen a harp string immediately after it has sounded	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) ètouffès (Fr) /e.tu.fez/ = muffled (En) See: Sons ètouffès Demonstration
gestopft /ˈgə.ʃtɔpft/ (Gr)	stopped notes, produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	gestopft (Gr) = stuffed (En)
chiuso (It)	stopped notes, produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	chiusa (feminine) (It) ~ chew (En) = closed (En) chiuso (masculine) (It) ~ chew (En) = closed (En)
double stopping (En)	stop and play two strings at the same time	Demonstration
vibrato (It)	vibrating; on string instrument, stop the string by shaking the left hand	Demonstration

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
tremolo (trem) (It)	on string instrument, quiver the bow rapidly to produce a shivering effect	Demonstration
tremolando (trem) (It)	on string instrument, quiver the bow rapidly to produce a shivering effect	Demonstration
arco saltando, saltando, saltato (It)	playing with a bow bouncing across the strings	arco (It) ~ arc (En) = bow (En) salto(It) ~ somersault = jump (En) Demonstration
spiccato (It)	on string instrument, make every note detached or light and short	spit Demonstration
mano sinistra (m.s.) (It)	left hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En) left-handed persons were considered sinister in ancient time.
mano destra (m.d.) (It)	right hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En) Most people are dexterous (skilled) with their right hands.
sopra (It)	above; play piano by crossing hands	sopra (It) = supra- (En) = above (En) sotto (It) = under (En)
mano sinistra sopra (ms sopra) (It)	play piano by crossing hands, with left hand above right hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)
mano destra sopra (md sopra) (It)	play piano by crossing hands, with right hand above left hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)

Level 10 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance > Piano

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
una corda (It)	one string; meaning press the soft pedal of the piano
due corda (It)	two strings; meaning press the soft pedal of the piano

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
tre corde (It)	three strings; meaning release the soft pedal of the piano
tutte le corde (It)	all the strings; meaning to release the soft pedal of the piano

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
enlever la pédale gauche (Fr)	release the left pedal	gauche (Fr) = left (En)

Level 11 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Pitch

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
ottava alta (8va) (It)	play the notes one octave higher than written	ottava (It) = octave (En) alto (It) = high (En)
ottava basso (8vb) (It)	play the notes one octave lower than written	ottava (It) = octave (En) basso (It) = low (En)
in alto (in alt) (It)	notes in the octave above the top line of the treble stave	alto (It) = high (En)
in altissimo (It)	notes in the second octave above the top line of the treble stave	-issimo (It) = very (En) alto (It) = high (En)
coll' ottava (coll' 8) (It)	with the octave, to be played by adding notes an octave higher or an octave lower
coll' ottava basso (It)	with the octave below, to be played by adding notes an octave lower

Level 12 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Lively

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
allegro (It)	lively, fast	"aller" (Fr) means "to go" (En), so allegro looks like "go! go!" 124-156 bpm
etwas lebhaft (Gr)	somewhat lively	etwas (Gr) = somewhat (En) leb (Gr) = live (En) -haft (Gr) = -like, -ish, -ly (En) lebhaft (Gr) = lively (En)
munter (Gr)	lively
très vif (Fr)	very lively	très (Fr) = very (En) vif (Fr) = lively (En)
vivace (Fr)	lively a marking used sometimes to indicated a passage that should be performed somewhat quicker than the prevailing tempo faster than allegro	vie (F, noun) = life (En) 156–176 bpm
vivacissimo (It)	extremely lively	-issimo (It) = very (En) 172–176 bpm
vivement (Fr)	lively	vie (F, noun) = life (En) -ment (Fr) makes adverb
vivo (It)	lively	viva (It) = hurray (En) 156–176 bpm

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
anima (It)	soul, spirit	con anima (It)
animando (It)	become more lively
animato (It)	animated, lively	allegro animato (It)
animé (Fr)	animated, lively	allegro animato (It)
en animant (Fr)	becoming more lively
risvegliato (It)	getting more animated	ri + svegliato = re-animated memory aid : vegetabilisetabilis (Latin) = growing, animating, which is where "vegetable" comes from
con moto (It)	Italian for "with movement"; can be combined with a tempo indication, e.g., Andante con moto
mosso (It)	with motion, animated
moto, movimento (It)	movement, motion
mouvement, mouvt (Fr)	movement, motion
brio (It)	vigour, animation; example: allegro con brio
vigoroso (It)	vigorous
kräftig (Gr)	vigorous or powerful
frisch (Gr)	vigorous
energico (It)	energetic
schwungvoll (Gr)	with energy	schwung (Gr) = swing (En), hence with energy -voll (Gr) = -ful (En), creating adjective out of noun
spiritoso (It)	spirited
con slancio (It)	enthusiasm	con (It) = with (E) slancio (It) = enthusiasm (E)

Level 13 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Fast

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
vite (Fr)	fast	vie (F, noun) = life (En)
moins vite (Fr)	less fast
assez vite (Fr)	fairly fast
assez vite (Fr)	fairly fast	assez (Fr) = fairly (En)
assez rapide (Fr)	fairly rapid	assez (Fr) = fairly (En)
en serrant (Fr)	squeezed; getting faster
geschwind (Gr)	fast	like the wind
incalzando (It)	getting faster
rapide (Fr)	rapid
rasch (Gr)	fast	rush
rascher (Gr)	faster
aber nicht eilen (Gr)	but don't rush	aber (Gr) ~ ah but (En) => but (En)
schnell (Gr)	fast	snel (Dutch)
schneller (Gr)	faster
stretto (It)	quickening the speed
stringendo (It)	squeezed; getting faster
veloce (It)	fast	velocity
volante (It)	flying, fast	volatile (En)
ziemlich schnell (Gr)	rather fast
allegro (It)	lively, fast	"aller" (Fr) means "to go" (En), so allegro looks like "go! go!" 124-156 bpm
accelerando, accel. (It)	getting faster
nicht eilen (Gr)	don't hurry	alien rushing around in spaceship
serrer, serrez (Fr)	hurry, quicken	running away from a serrated knife
tosto (It)	rapid
affrettando, affret. (It)	hurrying	"fretta" (It) means "haste" (En), and "-ando" (It) makes continuous tense
affrettare (It)	hurry (In Italian, "fretta" means "haste".)
fretta (It)	haste	memory aid : to fret over something (En) = to be anxious about something (En)
doppio movimento (It)	twice as fast	doppio (It) = double (En)

Level 14 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > happy

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
piacevole (It)	pleasant
amabile (It)	amiable, pleasant	allegretto amabile (It)
a piacere (It)	at pleasure performer may use their own discretion and need not follow the tempo and rhythm strictly	"piacere" and "pleasure" both start with "p"; "cere" sounds like "cherry"
giocoso (It)	playful, humorous
giojoso (It)	joyful, merry
lustig (Gr)	cheerful
frohlich (Gr)	cheerful, joyful
felice (It)	happy

Level 15 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Sad

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
lugubre (It)	mournful
dolente (It)	sad, mournful	doleful (En) = mournful (En)
dolore (It)	grief	doleful (En) = mournful (En)
lacrimoso, lagrimando, lagrimoso (It)	sad
lamentoso (It)	lamenting
mesto (It)	sad
traurig (Gr)	sad
tristamente (It); triste (It); triste (Fr)	sad
grave (It)	very slow, solemn	the funeral procession to the graveyard is the saddest and very slow 25–45 bpm
solenne (It)	solemn, grave
piangevole (It)	plaintive, in the style of a lament
Leid (Gr)	grief, pain
duolo (It)	grief
sospirando (It)	sighing

Level 16 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Tenderly

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
delicato (It)	delicate
zart (Gr)	delicate	zart (It) ~ art (En) => delicate (En)
affettuoso (It)	tenderly	andante affettuoso (It)
teneramente (It)	tenderly
tenerezza (It)	tenderness
pietosamente (It)	tenderly	"pietà" (It) means "pity" (En) "-mente" forms an adverb from an adjective
pietoso, pietosamente (It)	tenderly

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
soave (It)	gently	suave (En) = gentlemanly (En)

Level 17 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Lento

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
lent (It)	slow	money that is lent out is slow to return 45–60 bpm
lento (It)	slow	money that is lent out is slow to return 45–60 bpm
lentement (Fr)	slowly	-ment (Fr) makes adverb
assez lent (Fr)	fairly slow	assez (Fr) = fairly (En)
ralentir (Fr)	slacken, slow down	lent (It) = slow (En)
rallentando, rall. (It)	gradually getting slower	lent (It) = slow (En) -ando (It) = gradually (En)
slentando (It)	getting slower	lent (It) = slow (En) -ando (It) = gradually (En)
langsam (Gr)	slow	lang (Gr) = long (En) in time langsam (Gr) = adagio (It)
grave (It)	very slow, solemn	the funeral procession to the graveyard is the saddest and very slow 25–45 bpm
ziemlich langsam (Gr)	rather slow	lang (Gr) = long (En) -sam (Gr) forms adjective
en cédant (Fr)	yielding; getting slower	to cede (En) something = to give up (En) something
cédez (Fr)	yielding; getting slower	to cede (En) something = to give up (En) something

Level 18 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Andante

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
tempo comodo (It)	at a comfortable pace
comodo (It)	comfortable	moda (It) = style (En)
gehend (Gr)	at a walking pace	gehen (Gr) = walk (En) memory aid : go hen
andante (It)	at a walking pace	andante (It) comes from andare (It), which means "to go" (En) 76–108 bpm
andante moderato (It)	between andante and moderato (thus the name)	92–112 bpm
andante, piu tosto allegretto (I)	andante, or rather allegretto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) tosto (It) = rapid (En) piu tosto (It) = or rather (En) hint: the one with accent is more
andante quasi allegretto (I)	a little quicker than Andante and not so quick as Allegretto
andantino (It)	slightly faster than andante (although, in some cases, it can be taken to mean slightly slower than andante)	-tino (It) means small, so Andantino means Small Andante 80–108 bpm

Level 19 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Presto

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
presser, pressez (Fr)	hurry	pressed with time
en pressant (Fr)	pressing; getting faster	pressing matter
prestissimo (It)	as fast as possible	-issimo (It) = very (En) 200 bpm and over
presto (It)	very fast	magicians often say "hey presto" when they perform magic tricks 168–200 bpm
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)

Level 20 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Largo

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
grandioso (It)	grandly
maestoso (It)	majestic	maestoso
maestoso (It)	majestic	maestoso
nobilmente (It)	nobly	"-mente" (It) forms an adverb from an adjective
breit (Gr)	broad	memory aid : breit ~ bright, and broad daylight is bright
largamente (It)	broadly	"larga" comes from "largo" "-mente" forms an adverb from an adjective
larghetto (It)	slow and broad, slightly faster than largo	-etto (It) means little, so Larghetto means Little Largo 60–66 bpm
larghissimo (It)	very, very slow (24 bpm and under)	-issimo (It) = very (En)
largo (It)	slow and broad, stately, with dignity	large king, go slow, with dignity 40–60 bpm
allargando (It)	gradually broadening	"-ando" (It) makes continuous tense getting slower and slower, accompanied with a crescendo
allargare (It)	to broaden	"al" (It) means "to" (En); "larg" comes from "largo" (It);
slargando(It)	getting slower

Level 21 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Allegro

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
poco allegretto (I)
allegro alla marcia (It)	fast, in the style of a march
allegretto (It)	moderately fast, slightly slower than allegro	-etto (It) means little, so Allegretto means Little Allegro 112–120 bpm
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
allegretto o più tosto allegro (I)	allegretto or rather allegro	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more
allegretto quasi vivace (I)	a little quicker than Allegretto and not so quick as Vivace
allegrissimo (It)	very fast	-issimo (It) = very (En) 172–176 bpm
allegro (It)	lively, fast	"aller" (Fr) means "to go" (En), so allegro looks like "go! go!" 124-156 bpm
allegro appassionato (It)	with passion
allegro assai (It)	very lively; faster than allegro	assai (It) = very (En)
allegro assai e lusingando (It)
allegro moderato (It)	close to, but not quite allegro (116–120 bpm)
allegro molto (It)	very lively; faster than allegro	molto (It) = very (En)
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
allegro non troppo (It)	not so fast
allegro risvegliato (It)	fast, getting more animated
allegro vivace (It)	fast and lively
allegro assai (It)	very lively; faster than allegro	allegro (It) = lively, fast (En) assai (It) = very (En)
allegro assai e lusingando (It)		allegro (It) = lively, fast (En) assai (It) = very (En)
più tosto allegro (I)		peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more
andante, piu tosto allegretto (I)	andante, or rather allegretto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) tosto (It) = rapid (En) piu tosto (It) = or rather (En) hint: the one with accent is more

Level 22 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Adagio

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
adagietto (It)	slow, slightly faster than adagio	-etto (It) means little, so Adagietto means Little Adagio
adagio (It)	slow, leisurely	ad (It) = at (En); agio (It) = ease (En) 66–76 bpm langsam (Gr) = adagio (It)
adagissimo (It)	very slow	-issimo (It) = very (En)

Level 23 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Brilliant

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
brillante (I); brillante (Fr)	brilliant showy, spirited and sparkling in style
vorgetragen (Gr)	prominent
bravura (It)	brilliance a style of music to show off the skill of a performer	needs to be brave to show off brilliance
con bravura (It)	with brilliance
trionfale (It)	triumphant

Level 24 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Agitated

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
con fuoco (It)	with fire	fuoco (It) = fire (En)
furioso (It)	furious, frenzied
feroce (It)	fierce
feurig (Gr)	fiery
emporté (Fr)	fiery	"porte" means "door", and "emporté" means "carried away" in everyday French
agitato (It)	agitated	allegro agitato (It)
ziemlich bewegt (Gr)	rather agitated	bewegt (Gr) /bə.ˈveːkt/ = with movement, in an animated manner, agitated hint: bees whacked => angry bee => animated beekeeper

Level 25 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > loud

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
forte (p) (It)	loud
fortissimo (pp) (It)	very loud	-issimo (It) = very (En)
fortississimo (ppp) (It)	very very loud	-ississimo (It) = very very (En)
crescendo, cresc., cres. (It)	gradually getting louder
in relievo (It)	prominent, in relief to play slightly louder than the other instrument so as to stand out
mezzo forte (mf) (It)	moderately loud	mezzo (It) = half (En)
più forte (più f) (It)	more loud	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more
fortepiano (fp) (It)	loud, then immediately quiet
piano poi forte (It)	soft, then loud

Level 26 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Quiet

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
tacet (La)	silent	tacit (En) = silent, implied (En)
piano poi forte (It)	soft, then loud
fortepiano (fp) (It)	loud, then immediately quiet
decrescendo, decresc., decres. (It)	gradually getting quieter
diminuendo, dimin., dim (It)	gradually getting quieter	to diminish (En) = to lower (En)
estinto (It)	as quiet as possible	estinto (It) = extinct (En)
leise (Gr)	quietly	anagram of Elise (of Für Elise)
mezzo piano (mp) (It)	moderately quiet	mezzo (It) = half (En)
molto piano (It)	very quiet	molto (It) = very (En)
pianissimo (pp) (It)	very quiet	-issimo (It) = very (En)
pianississimo (ppp) (It)	very very quiet	-issimo (It) = very (En)
piano (p) (It)	quiet
più piano (più p) (It)	more quiet	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
mancando (It)	dying away	man can do what? In the end, we all die ...
morendo (It)	dying away	morendo = death
perdendosi (It)	dying away	perdendosi = death
smorzando (smorz) (It)	dying away	smoking => death
calando (It)	dying away dying away = gradually getting quieter AND slower	calamity => death

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
ruhig (Gr)	peaceful (example: sehr ruhig)
calmato (It); calme (Fr)	calm, tranquil
tranquillo (It)	calm
placido (It)	calm, peaceful
apaisé (Fr)	calm, peaceful

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
gracieux (Fr)	graceful
grazioso (It)	graceful
con grazia (It)	with grace, or gracefully

Level 27 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Sweet

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
dolce (It)	sweet	dolce (It) = dear (En) Dolce & Gabbana is a famous pair of fashion designers.
douce (feminine singular), doux (masculine singular) (Fr)	soft, sweet; example: doucement (sweetly)
suss (Gr)	sweet

Level 28 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Loving

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
amoroso (It)	loving
lieblich (Gr)	lovely
avec amour (Fr)	with love	avec (Fr) = with (En)
appassionato (It)	with passion	allegro appassionato (It)
Leidesnschaft (Gr)	passion
allegro appassionato (It)	with passion
impetuouso (It)	impetuous

Level 29 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Singing, Chanting

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
cantabile (It)	in a singing style	chant (En)
cantando (It)	singing	chant (En) –ando or –endo (It) = -ing (En), i.e. continuous tenses
gesangvoll (Gr)	in a singing style	gesang (Gr) = singing (En) -voll (Gr) = -ful (En), creating adjective out of noun
canzone (It)	song
quasi recitativo (It)	like a recitative a recitative is an accompanied solo song that imitates the rhythms and accents of spoken language

Level 30 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Expressive

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
ausdrucksvoll (Gr)	expressive	ausdruck (Gr) = expression (En) -voll (Gr) = -ful (En), creating adjective out of noun
innig (Gr)	heartfelt, sincere
expressif (Fr)	expressive
espressione (It)	expression
espressivo, espress., espr. (It)	expressive
mit ausdruck (Gr)	with expression	mit (Gr) = with (En)
tempo rubato (rubato) (It)	flexibility of tempo for expressive purpose tempo of some notes is slowed slightly so that other notes can be speeded up slightly	"rubato" (It) = "robbed" (En) Demonstration
patetico (It)	with deep feeling, with pathos
empfindungsvoll (Gr)	with feeling	Empfindung (Gr) = (En) feeling -voll (Gr) = -ful (En), creating adjective out of noun
parlando, parlante (It)	speaking, in a speaking style	parlance (En) is a particular way of speaking or a group of words used by a particular group of people

Level 31 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Chapel, Military

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
a cappella (It)	unaccompanied; in chapel style

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
alla marcia (It)	in the style of a march	Example: allegro alla marcia (It)
allegro alla marcia (It)	fast, in the style of a march
marcia moderato (It)	moderately, in the manner of a march	83–85 bpm
marcato, marc. (It)	emphatic, accented
ben marcato (It)	well-marked; meaning to play more forcefully than surrounding music
marziale (It)	in a martial style

Level 32 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Moderate

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
massig, mäßig, mässig (Gr)	moderate	mässig (Gr) = moderato (It)
moderato (It)	moderate	mässig (Gr) = moderato (It) 108–120 bpm
modéré (Fr)	moderate
allegretto (It)	moderately fast, slightly slower than allegro	-etto (It) means little, so Allegretto means Little Allegro 112–120 bpm
mezzo forte (mf) (It)	moderately loud	mezzo (It) = half (En)
mezzo piano (mp) (It)	moderately quiet	mezzo (It) = half (En)
marcia moderato (It)	moderately, in the manner of a march	83–85 bpm

Level 33 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Much, Long, Heavy, Strong, Decisive, Emphasized

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
zu (Gr)	too	"zu" looks and sounds like "zoo", which has the same "oo" as "too"
sehr (Gr)	much
doch nicht zu sehr (Gr)	however not too much
doch nicht zu sehr (Gr)	doch (Gr) = however (En) hint: dog howls nicht (Gr) = not (En) zu (Gr) = to (En) sehr (Gr) = very (En)
ma non tanto (It)	but not so much used in the same way and has the same effect as "ma non troppo" but to a lesser degree	ma non (It) = but not (En) tanto (It) has one o's ~ so (En)
ma non troppo (It)	but not too much it is used to modify a basic tempo to indicate that the basic tempo should be reined in to a degree	ma non (It) = but not (En) troppo (It) has two o's ~ too (En)
zu sehr /t͡suː/ /zɛɐ̯/ (Gr)	too much	zu (Gr) = to (En) sehr (Gr) = very (En) hence, to the extreme => too much
molto (It)	much, very	molto (It) = assai (It) = very (En) it is used to augment the directive to which it is applied molto (It) = much (En) similar to "mole", which is a large number (6.02214 × 10²³)
viel (Gr)	much
allegro ma non troppo (It)	Fast, but not too much	ma non (It) = but not (En) troppo (It) has two o's ~ too (En)
adagio ma non troppo (It)	Slow, but not too much	ma non (It) = but not (En) troppo (It) has two o's ~ too (En)

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
lourd (Fr)	heavy
pesante (It)	heavy and ponderous

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
lointain (Fr)	distant	looks like "long", hence "distant"
lontano (It)	distant	looks like "long", hence "distant"

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
lunga pausa (It)	long pause
lunga (It)	long
langsam (Gr)	slow	lang (Gr) = long (En) in time langsam (Gr) = adagio (It)
ziemlich langsam (Gr)	rather slow	lang (Gr) = long (En) -sam (Gr) forms adjective
rinforzando, rinforzato, rinf., rfz, rf (It)	reinforcing
risoluto (It)	resolute	risoluto
stark (Gr)	strong
sforzando (sfz, sf) (It)	accented, forced
sforzando (sfz, sf) (It)	accented, forced
forza, forzando, forzato (It)	force	forza, forzando, forzato
obbligato (It)	obligatory, cannot be left out for example, essential but subordinate instrumental part
forza, forzando, forzato (It)	force	forza, forzando, forzato
bestimmt /bə.ˈʃtɪmt/ (Gr)	with decision, definite	stimmt (Gr) = affirmative (En)
deciso (It)	with determination	decisive (En)
en dehors (Fr)	emphasised usually referring to a melody line that needs to "stand out"	"dehors" looks like "door", so outside the door => more obvious

Level 34 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Short, Light, Easy, Little, Weak, Mute

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
légèrement (Fr)	lightly	-ment (Fr) forms adverb from adjective legs are nimble
leggiero (It)	light	legs are nimble
leicht (Gr)	light	leicht
staccato, stacc. (It)	short and detached
staccatissimo, stacc. (It)	very short and detached	-issimo (It) = very (En)
sec (F); secco (It)	short and dry staccato => secco	There is an English expression "cut and dried", so "cut" is related to "dry". dissect
spiccato (It)	on string instrument, make every note detached or light and short	spit Demonstration
facile (Fr)	easy	memory aid : to facilitate = to make easy
peu (Fr)	little	peu à peu (Fr) = little by little (En) sounds like "poo", which is typically tiny
peu à peu cresc. (Fr)	crescendo little by little
peu à peu cresc. et anime (Fr)	crescendo little by little and get faster
pochettino, poch (It)	rather little
pochissimo, pochiss. (It)	very little (typically used to modify tempo markings as in "pochissimo ritard")	-issimo (It) = very (En)
poco allegretto (I)
schwach (Gr)	weak
douce (feminine singular), doux (masculine singular) (Fr)	soft, sweet; example: doucement (sweetly)
dämpfer (Gr)	mute	to dampen (En) = to make less strong
sons bouches (Fr)	stopped notes, produced by inserting cupped hand into bell	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) boucher (Fr) /bu.ʃe/ = block (En)
sons ètouffès (Fr)	dampen a harp string immediately after it has sounded	son (Fr) /sɔ̃/ = sound (En) ètouffès (Fr) /e.tu.fez/ = muffled (En) See: Sons ètouffès Demonstration
sèche (sec) /sɛʃ/ (Fr)	on cymbals, dampen the cymbals immediately after they have sounded	sec (F, masculine singular) or sèche (F, feminine singular) means dry (En) or harsh (En). This instruction is in contrast to the instruction laissez vibrer. See: Demonstration of Dampening Cymbals
sordini, sordino, sord. (It)	mute a device that changes the timbre or lower the volume of an instrument
sourdine (Fr)	mute
enlever la sourdine (Fr)	release or remove the mute

Level 35 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Quasi, Piu Tosto

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
quasi (I, La)	as if, resembling
quasi niente (It)	as if nothing
quasi una fantasia (It)	like a fantasia
allegretto quasi vivace (It)	a little quicker than Allegretto and not so quick as Vivace
andante quasi allegretto (It)	a little quicker than Andante and not so quick as Allegretto

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
più tosto allegro (I)		peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more
andante, piu tosto allegretto (I)	andante, or rather allegretto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) tosto (It) = rapid (En) piu tosto (It) = or rather (En) hint: the one with accent is more
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
allegretto o più tosto allegro (I)	allegretto or rather allegro	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
Allegro molto, piu tosto Presto (I)	Allegro molto, or rather Presto	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more tosto (It) = rapid (En) più tosto (It) = or rather (En)
allegretto o più tosto allegro (I)	allegretto or rather allegro	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more

Level 36 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Smooth, Detached

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
gebunden (Gr)	smoothly	gebunden = bound (En)
legato (It)	smooth	legs are tied together "legato" (It) literally means "tied together" (En).
sempre legato (It)
legatissimo (It)	very smoothly	-issimo (It) = very (En)
soace (It)	gentel, smooth

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
spiccato (It)	on string instrument, make every note detached or light and short	spit Demonstration
staccato, stacc. (It)	short and detached
staccatissimo, stacc. (It)	very short and detached	-issimo (It) = very (En)
deutlich /ˈdɔɪ̯t.lɪç/ (Gr)	distinct	"deutsch" (Gr) refers to the language spoken by the Germans; it's the language which makes a people distinct from other people
spiccato (It)	on string instrument, make every note detached or light and short	spit Demonstration

Level 37 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Sustained

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
ritardando, ritard. rit. (It)	gradually getting slower
retenu (Fr)	held back	retenir (Fr)= to rein in (En) retention
en retenant (Fr)	holding back; getting slower	retenir (Fr) = to rein in (En)
ritenuto (riten., rit) (It)	holding back; suddenly slower	opposite of sostenuto
sostenuto (sost) (It)	sustained	sostenuto ~ sustain (En) tenuto (It) ~ tenuous (En) = held (En)
ben tenuto (It)	well-substained to truly hold and sustain the note for its full length	ben (It) = good (En) ten out of ten tenuto (It) = held (En)
ostinato (It)	persistent
sempre (It)	always preceding a tempo or dynamic marking to indicate that a specified volume, tempo, etc, is to be sustained throughout a piece or passage	sounds like "same play", hence "always"

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
schleppen, schleppend (Gr)	dragging	slap and drag the hostage
nicht schleppen (Gr)	don't drag

Level 38 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Strict vs Free/Fanciful

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
tempo giusto (It)	in strict time	giusto (It) = just, right (Eng) In modern Italian, the letter "j" is used only in Latin words, proper nouns and words borrowed from foreign languages. Instead of "j", "gi" is used. So, "giust" is used instead of "just".
rigoroso, rigor (It)	strict (in strict or exact time or rhythm)	lacking in rigor (En) = not following strict standard of logic (En)
ad libitum, ad lib (La)	at choice the performer need not follow the rhythm strictly	liberty
a piacere (It)	at pleasure performer may use their own discretion and need not follow the tempo and rhythm strictly	"piacere" and "pleasure" both start with "p"; "cere" sounds like "cherry"
liberamente (It)	freely	"-mente" forms an adverb from an adjective liberty
licenza (It)	licence, freedom
lebrement (Fr)	freely	"-ment" (Fr) forms an adverb from an adjective liberty
frei (Gr)	free
flottant (Fr)	floating
fliessend (Gr)	flowing
flessibile (It)	flexible
capriccioso (It); capricieux (Fr)	in a whimsical, fanciful style	caprice (En) = whim (En)

Level 39 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > more or less

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
più o meno (It)	more or less	peu (Fr) = little (En) più (It) = more (En) hint: the one with accent is more ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)
plus ou moins (Fr)	more or less	più (It) = more (En) plus (Fr) = more (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)

Level 40 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > hand

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
main (Fr)	hand
mano (It)	hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)
main droite (Fr)	right hand
main gauche (Fr)	left hand	gauche (En) /ɡəʊʃ/ = clumsy (En)
mano destra (m.d.) (It)	right hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En) "destra" (It) comes from "dextra" (Latin), meaning "right", so "ambidextrous" (En) refers to a person who can use left hand as skilfully as the right hand
mano sinistra (m.s.) (It)	left hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En) left-handed persons were considered sinister in ancient time
sopra (It)	above; play piano by crossing hands	sopra (It) = supra- (En) = above (En) sotto (It) = under (En)
mano sinistra sopra (ms sopra) (It)	play piano by crossing hands, with left hand above right hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)
mano destra sopra (md sopra) (It)	play piano by crossing hands, with right hand above left hand	ma non (It) = but not (En) mano (It) ~ manual (En) => hand (En) meno (It) /ˈme.no/ ~ me no (En) => less (En) moins (Fr) /mwɛ̃/ ~ minus (En) = less (En)

Level 41 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Sequence

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
à deux, à 2 (Fr) (2020 Paper A) a due, a 2 (It)	(2020 Paper A) for two performers or instruments to play in unison
alla breve (It) (2020 Paper B)	two minim beats in a bar, equivalent to 2/2 also known as cut time or cut common time
	arpeggio, which is a type of broken chord with the notes played one by one in an ascending or descending order.
attacca (It)	go on at once used at the end of a section (or movement), meaning to go on immediately to the next section (or movement) without a gap or pause synonymous with segue (Gr)	Attack!!!
segue (It)	go straight on synonymous with "attacca" (It)	sequence
bis (It)	twice the repetition of a passage of music	bi- (En)
colla voce (It)	keep with the singer	voce (It) = voice (En)
da capo, D.C. (It)	from the beginning	da (It) = dal (It) = from (Eng) capo (It) = head (En)
dal segno, D.S. (It)	from the sign	da (It) = dal (It) = from (Eng) sego (It) = sign (En)
divisi, div. (I) (2020 Paper B)	divided to divide a single section of instruments in an orchestra into multiple subsections
colla parte (It)	keep with the soloist	parte (It) = part (En)
fin (Fr) fine (It)	end	finish (En)
general pause (G.P.) (En)	a rest for all sections of the orchestra
pausa (It)	a pause
poi la coda (It)	after this section then the coda
ossia (It)	or, alternatively an alternative version of a passage	"o" (It) means "or" (En), and "sia" (It) means "is" (En)
sous la direction de (Fr)	under the direction of	sous (Fr) /su/ = under (En) example: sous chef (Fr)
unisono (unis) (It)	in unison	uni + sono literally means one sound sonoro, sonore, sonoramente (It) all mean sound (En)

Level 42 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Same, Similar, As Before, Repeat, Again

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
come prima (It)	as before	previous
come sopra (It)	as above (same as come prima)	sopra (It) = supra- (En) = above (En) sotto (It) = under (En)
simile, sim (It)	in a similar manner to that previously marked. Often applies to pedalling or articulation.
equale (It)	Equale is a piece of music for equal (i.e. similar) voices or instruments. For example, two sopranos, or a violin quartet, or a trombone quartet
which is abbreviation for (2020 Paper A)	repeated, measured semiquavers It is common to find repeated short note values (such as quavers, semiquavers or demisemiquavers) written in an abbreviated form, where a single beam is used, with slashes through the stems of the notes. The number of slashes will indicate the note value required. Don’t confuse this symbol with a “tremolo” which uses the same symbol. The difference is that with measured note values, the term “trem.” Is NOT used.
repetizione (It)	repetition	replica (It) = copy (En)
replica (It)	repetition	replica (It) = copy (En)
immer wieder (Gr)	again and again

Level 43 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Resume, Cancel, Return, Original

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
a tempo (It)	in time; return to original tempo
l'istesso, l'istesso tempo, or lo stesso tempo (It)	same tempo as before despite apparent signals to the contrary
tempo primo (It)	in time; return to original tempo	primo (It) = first (En)
au mouvement (Fr)	in time; return to original tempo	full phrase is "retour au mouvement" = return to original tempo
en mesure (Fr)	in time; return to original tempo	"time signature" is also known as "measure signature"
loco (It)	at the normal pitch, cancelling a previous octave command such as 8va or 8vb	loco (It) = in place (En)
naturale, nat. (It)	resume the normal way of performing for example, without using the mute for example, discontinuing a special effect, such as col legno, sul tasto, sul ponticello or playing in harmonics	The normal way is the natural way.
premier mouvement (Fr)	in time; return to original tempo	premier (Fr) = first (En)

Level 44 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Direction > Gradually, Suddenly

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
nach und nach (Gr)	gradually nach (Gr) = to (En) nach und nach (Gr) = to and to (En)
peu à peu (Fr)	little by little
peu à peu cresc. (Fr)	crescendo little by little
peu à peu cresc. et anime (Fr)	crescendo little by little and get faster
poco a poco (It)	little by little

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
plötzlich (Gr)	suddenly	plot to lick suddenly
subito (sub) (It)	suddenly	suddenly
volti subito, V.S. (It)	turn the page quickly	"volti" comes from "voltare" (It), which means "to flip" (En)

Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
allargando (It)	gradually broadening	"-ando" (It) makes continuous tense getting slower and slower, accompanied with a crescendo
calando (It)	dying away dying away = gradually getting quieter AND slower	calamity => death
crescendo, cresc., cres. (It)	gradually getting louder
decrescendo, decresc., decres. (It)	gradually getting quieter
diminuendo, dimin., dim (It)	gradually getting quieter	to diminish (En) = to lower (En)
precipitando, precipitato, precipitoso (It)	precipitately	precipitately (En) = in a way that is too sudden and done without thinking (En)
rallentando, rall. (It)	gradually getting slower
ritardando, ritard. rit. (It)	gradually getting slower
slentando (It)	getting slower

Level 45 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Voice, Sound

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid
a cappella (It)	unaccompanied; in chapel style
colla voce (It)	keep with the singer	voce (It) = voice (En)
equale (It)	Equale is a piece of music for equal (i.e. similar) voices or instruments. For example, two sopranos, or a violin quartet, or a trombone quartet
sotto voce (It)	under the voice intentionally lowering the volume of the voice for emphasis	Demonstration sopra (It) = supra- (En) = above (En) sotto (It) = under (En) voce (It) = voice (En)
voix (Fr)	voice
sonoramente, sonoro (I); sonore (Fr)	resonant	re + sonant sonoro, sonore, sonoramente (It) all mean sound (En)
lusingando (It)	coaxing, persuasive style
misterioso (It)	mysterious
strepitoso (It)	noisy, bositerous
ritmico (It)	rhythmically
seul (Fr)	alone

Level 46 : ABRSM Glossary Revision (Lee Ching Ching) > Performance Instructions > Miscellaneous

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Term	Meaning	Memory Aid

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