Wish you could have a list of all the musical symbols and terms you should know when sight-reading at the piano? This article is exactly that. You’ll find the most common musical symbols and terms.
Here are musical symbols and terms you should know when sight-reading at the piano. It’s not a comprehensive list but it includes the most common symbols and terms.
Music symbols related to articulation
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 | Staccato | Play detached |
 | Accent | Play accented |
 | Staccatissimo | Play detached and in a more exaggerated way than normal staccato |
 | Strong accent | Play with a strong accent |
 | Sforzando | Play with a strong and sudden initial attack |
 | Tenuto | Hold or sustain note for its full length |
 | Two-note slur | Link the two notes together |
 | Phrase | Play notes in one breath, usually legato. A phrase represents a single musical idea. |
 | Trill | Play the written note and the pitch above it in quick succession |
 | Pedal marking | Press down the sustaining pedal until the line stops or until the next symbol |
 | Arpeggio sign | Arpeggiate the notes of the chord by playing them quickly one after the other from the bottom note (unless there is a down arrow, in which case you arpeggiate from the top note) |
Musical symbols related to pitch
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 | Sharp | Raises the note by a semitone (half step) |
 | Flat | Lowers the note by a semitone (half step) |
 | Double sharp | Raises the note by 2 semitones (half steps) |
 | Double flat | Lowers the note by 2 semitones (half steps) |
 | Natural | Cancels previous accidentals. For example, E natural = E. |
 | Ottava | Play one octave higher |
 | Ottava bassa | Play one octave lower |
Musical terms related to speed
| Italian term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Adagio | Slow |
| Largo | Slow and broad |
| Andante | At a walking pace |
| Moderato | Moderate speed |
| Allegretto | Moderately quick |
| Allegro | Quick, lively |
| Presto | Very fast |
| Rallentando or rall. | Gradually slower |
| Ritardando or rit. | Held back, gradually slower |
| Ritenuto or rit./riten. | Held back, immediately slower |
| Accelerando or accel. | Gradually accelerate |
| A tempo | Back to the original tempo |
Musical terms and symbols related to expression
| Italian term | Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Espressivo | Expressive | |
| Cantabile | In a singing style | |
| Dolce | Sweet, gentle | |
| Giocoso | Cheerful, playful | |
| Mysterioso | Mysterious | |
| Agitato | Agitated | |
| Maestoso | Majestic | |
| Vivace | Lively | |
| Ad libitum or ad lib. | Optional, as you wish | |
| pp or pianissimo |  | Very soft |
| p or piano |  | Soft |
| mp or mezzo piano |  | Moderately soft |
| mf or mezzo forte |  | Moderately loud |
| f or forte |  | Loud |
| ff or fortissimo |  | Very loud |
| crescendo or cresc. |  | Gradually louder |
| diminuendo or dim., or descrescendo |  | Gradually softer |
Other Common Musical Symbols
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 | Fermata or pause | A pause of unspecified length on a note or rest |
 | Start and end repeat signs | Indicate the start and end of a repeat respectively |
 | First ending | Indicates the passage you play the first time through |
 | Second ending | The second time through, you jump to this section (you skip the first ending) |
| D.C. al Fine | Da Capo al Fine | Repeat from the start until the end. Literally means "from the head to end" in Italian. |
 | Dal segno | Repeat from this sign. Literally means "from the sign" in Italian. |
 | Coda | A passage of music that brings the piece to an end. Literally means "tail" in Italian. |
Are there any musical symbols or terms that are new to you? Let me know in the comments below!
