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Italian Terms Weekly Worksheets

  • Writer: Chris Caton-Greasley
    Chris Caton-Greasley
  • Jun 25
  • 8 min read

Updated: Jun 28

Why Italian Terms Matter

In the world of music, understanding the language of expression is just as important as playing the notes themselves. Many of the terms we use to describe how music 

should be played—from how fast or slow to how loud or soft—are traditionally in Italian. Think of words like allegro (fast), andante (walking pace), forte (loud), or piano (soft). Learning these Italian terms is not just about memorizing vocabulary; it’s about gaining a deeper insight into the composer's intentions and bringing the music to life with greater accuracy and emotional depth. These terms are a universal code, allowing musicians worldwide to understand and interpret pieces consistently. By grasping this fundamental musical language, students will not only improve their performance but also develop a more profound appreciation for the rich history and global nature of classical music. This knowledge forms a crucial part of a comprehensive music education, enhancing communication with tutors and unlocking new levels of musical understanding.

To support your learning, we're excited to introduce a new, downloadable worksheet available every Sunday! Each worksheet will feature five popular Italian musical terms, carefully chosen for students from Grades 1 to 5. Your task is to learn these terms, understand their meanings, and complete the short activity provided. Videos for the five terms will be shared on our social media channels each day. Bring your completed worksheet to your tutor or to reception to receive an extra gem as a reward for your dedication and progress. 





Forte & Piano

The term "forte" (meaning "loud" in Italian) and its counterpart "piano" (meaning "quiet") started to appear in musical scores more regularly during the Baroque and Classical periods.

One of the earliest and most famous examples of the explicit use of "piano" and "forte" in musical notation is in Giovanni Gabrieli's "Sonata pian e forte" from 1597. This piece is significant because it's one of the first known compositions to explicitly mark dynamic contrasts, instructing different sections or groups of instruments to play at varying loudness levels.


Giovanni Gabrieli's "Sonata pian e forte" from 1597

Before this, dynamic interpretation was largely left to the performer's discretion and the conventions of the time. However, with the development of instruments that could produce a wider range of dynamics, like the fortepiano (the precursor to the modern piano, aptly named "quiet and loud"), composers began to have more control over the expressive elements of their music and started to include these markings more consistently in their scores.


So, while the concept of playing loudly or softly existed before, the notation of "forte" (and "piano") became more formalized and widespread from the late 16th century onwards, gaining particular prominence in the 18th century with composers like Mozart and Haydn.


Before this, dynamic interpretation was largely left to the performer's discretion and the conventions of the time. However, with the development of instruments that could produce a wider range of dynamics, like the fortepiano (the precursor to the modern piano, aptly named "loud and soft"), composers began to have more control over the expressive elements of their music and started to include these markings more consistently in their scores.

So, while the concept of playing loudly or softly existed before, the notation of "forte" (and "piano") became more formalized and widespread from the late 16th century onwards, gaining particular prominence in the 18th century with composers like Mozart and Haydn.

It is interesting that the early piano from the period of Mozart was called a fortepiano, a loudsoft; whereas the modern piano is called a pianoforte, a softloud. 


Six Gradients of Dynamics

While dynamics were used before the late Classical period, the range was generally rather narrow. Mozart and Haydn are often considered among the first composers to use a wider range of six dynamics, with the extremities adding the suffix '-issimo' to words like piano or forte, creating pianissimo or fortissimo, which means 'very.' This suffix elevates the dynamic to an absolute extreme, making it exceptional, utterly remarkable, and the ultimate expression of loud or quiet. Are you playing something from 1750 or after? How is the '-issimo' in your music? Remarkable, or a little lackluster? Apply sparkle, pizzazz, and a feather boa to truly showcase the extremities of dynamic nuance.

The next dynamic prefix we encounter is 'mezzo,' which in Italian means middle or half. While 'meta' can also mean half, 'mezzo' in music specifically refers to the middle point, equally distant from forte and fortissimo, or piano and pianissimo. When you are asked to play mf (mezzo forte) or mp (mezzo piano), remember that the dynamic should be in the middle—not louder than forte or softer than piano, but precisely in between. To accurately find these six dynamic levels, it is incredibly useful to practice scales or broken chords at each different level. Challenge yourself to find and master all six on your instrument.

Why Italian?

Well musicians also use terms in French and German, but why Italian? The adoption of Italian as the universal standard for musical expression wasn't a single event, but rather a confluence of historical, cultural, and practical factors that converged over several centuries. In the Renaissance era Italy was at the forefront of musical development in Europe. Cities like Venice and Florence were vibrant centers of musical innovation. Opera was born in Italy around the late 16th century. As this new, highly expressive art form spread across Europe, it carried the Italian language with it. Early operas, even when performed in other countries, often retained their Italian librettos (texts) and musical instructions. The first recognisable opera, with the story told through song and music, was Orfeo by Monteverdi, first performed in Mantua in Italy in 1607. Many musical forms that are still central to classical music today, like the concerto, sonata, and symphony, either originated or were significantly developed in Italy. Similarly, many instruments central to the orchestra, such as the violin family (violin, viola, cello), and the fortepiano (the predecessor to the modern piano), were invented or perfected by Italian craftsmen.

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century played a vital role. Italy was among the first countries to print music extensively. As these printed scores were distributed across Europe, they carried Italian musical instructions, effectively standardising the terminology. Ottaviano Petrucci (1466 - 1539) lived in Venice and in 1498 was given the exclusive right to print music with a moveable type font he had invented.

A significant number of the most influential composers were Italian (e.g., Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Corelli). Their groundbreaking works, which often included detailed Italian instructions, were widely studied and emulated by musicians and composers across the continent. 

Italian is often described as a very "musical" or "singing" language due to its phonetic qualities that make it particularly well-suited for conveying nuances in musical expression. The terms themselves are often very descriptive. Words like allegro (lively/fast), adagio (slowly), dolce (sweetly), and cantabile (in a singing style) convey not just technical instructions but also mood and character, which is crucial for musical interpretation. While some composers later chose to use their native languages for expressive markings (e.g., Bach and Beethoven in German, Satie and Debussy in French), the foundation of Italian terms was so deeply entrenched that it remained, and largely still is, the primary international standard, a testament to Italy's immense contribution to the development of Western classical music.


Quiz

  1. Why are Italian terms considered a "universal code" in music?

  2. What is the significance of Giovanni Gabrieli's "Sonata pian e forte" in the history of musical dynamics?

  3. Explain the difference between fortepiano and pianoforte.

  4. How do composers indicate the "absolute extreme" of loud or quiet in musical notation?

  5. What does the prefix 'mezzo' signify in musical dynamics, and how does it differ from 'meta'?

  6. List three Italian cities that were at the forefront of musical innovation during the Renaissance era.

  7. How did the birth of opera in Italy contribute to the widespread adoption of Italian musical terms?

  8. Who was Ottaviano Petrucci, and what was his contribution to standardising musical terminology?

  9. Give two reasons why Italian is considered a "musical" or "singing" language well-suited for musical expression.

  10. Name three musical forms or instruments that either originated or were significantly developed in Italy.


Essay Format Questions

  • Discuss the historical journey of dynamic markings in music, from the early discretionary interpretations to the formalisation seen in works like Gabrieli's "Sonata pian e forte" and the later expansion by composers like Mozart and Haydn.

  • Analyse the multifaceted reasons behind Italian becoming the universal language of music, considering its role as a "cradle of musical innovation," the influence of opera, the development of key musical forms and instruments, and the impact of music printing.

  • Explain how understanding Italian musical terms goes beyond mere vocabulary memorisation, contributing to a deeper insight into composer's intentions, enhanced performance accuracy, and a more profound appreciation for classical music's history and global nature.

  • Compare and contrast the expressive meanings and technical applications of the six gradients of dynamics discussed in the source (pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo). How might a musician "apply sparkle, pizzazz, and a feather boa" to truly showcase the extremities of dynamic nuance?

  • Despite the prevalence of Italian terms, some composers chose to use their native languages for expressive markings. Discuss the implications of this practice and why, despite these deviations, Italian terms have largely remained the primary international standard in Western classical music.


Glossary of Key Terms

  • Adagio: (Italian) A tempo marking meaning "slowly." Conveys a sense of leisure and broadness.

  • Allegro: (Italian) A tempo marking meaning "fast" or "lively." Implies brisk and energetic movement.

  • Andante: (Italian) A tempo marking meaning "at a walking pace." Indicates a moderate, flowing tempo.

  • Cantabile: (Italian) An expressive marking meaning "in a singing style." Suggests a lyrical and smooth performance.

  • Concerto: A musical form, significantly developed in Italy, typically for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra.

  • Dolce: (Italian) An expressive marking meaning "sweetly" or "softly." Indicates a gentle and tender performance.

  • Dynamics: The variations in loudness or quietness of musical sound.

  • Fortepiano: The precursor to the modern piano, developed in the early 18th century. Aptly named "soft and loud" due to its ability to produce a wider range of dynamics.

  • Forte (f): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "loud." Implies a bold, clear, and powerful tone.

  • Fortissimo (ff): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "very loud." Represents the absolute extreme of loudness, demanding maximum power and impact.

  • Libretto: The text of an opera or other long vocal work.

  • Mezzo: (Italian) A prefix meaning "middle" or "half." In music, it refers to a moderate dynamic level.

  • Mezzo Forte (mf): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "moderately loud." Indicates a comfortable, clear loudness, between piano and forte.

  • Mezzo Piano (mp): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "moderately quiet." Indicates a gentle tone, softer than mezzo forte but not a whisper.

  • Opera: A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists. Born in Italy around the late 16th century.

  • Piano (p): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "quiet" or "soft." Implies playing gently, with a sense of compassion, peace, or humility.

  • Pianissimo (pp): (Italian) A dynamic marking meaning "very quiet." Represents the absolute extreme of quietness, delicate and often mysterious.

  • Pianoforte: The modern piano, named "soft loud," reflecting its dynamic capabilities.

  • Renaissance Era: A period in European history from the 14th to the 17th century, marked by a revival of classical art, literature, and learning, and significant musical innovation in Italy.

  • Sonata: A musical form, significantly developed in Italy, typically for a solo instrument or a small group of instruments.

  • Symphony: A musical form, significantly developed in Italy, typically a long composition for a full orchestra.

  • Suffix '-issimo': An Italian suffix meaning "very," used in musical terms to indicate an absolute extreme (e.g., fortissimo, pianissimo).


Reference list

 
 

Chris at the Piano

A part of Triquetrae Ltd

6-8 Melbourne Street | Stalybridge | Cheshire | SK15 2JE | UK

Tel 0161 303 9966

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