Musical Terms

Anyone who has played piano or an instrument in a school band has encountered musical terms, such as allegro (a fast tempo), A tempo (original tempo), or Dolce (sweetly). With the exception of certain composers, nusical terms are usually in a foreign language, notably Italian. Unfortunately, most high school and even college musicians don’t know a foreign language. Thus, they must interpret the foreign words found in music and learn to apply the interpretation at a glance while they read notes.

Lists and dictionaries are available. Many music folders for bands have a small list of frequently used musical terms, but it is surprising to see how many amateur players, even after years of experience, don’t understand terms like Da Capo (D.C.), or Dal Segno (D.S.). D.C. means “Repeat from beginning or From the beginning,” whereas D.S. means “Repeat from sign or From the sign.” Obviously, players who don’t know what these terms mean will soon be lost in the music.

A recent discussion of a less well known term, “lusingando” has prompted me to wonder once again why musical terms are not translated in American sheet music. Learned and skilled musicians interpreted lusingando variously as haltingly or hesitantly, coaxing, flattering, and singing, just to name a few of the offered suggestions. A Virginia Tech online musical dictionary defines the word: “A directive to perform a certain passage of a composition in a coaxing, caressing, flattering, or alluring style.” Thus, even well informed musicians can have variances of opinions about musical terms. When the guides to interpretation are misunderstood they serve instead as hindrances. As is the written word, written music is intended to illuminate readers. Notes do this even better, perhaps, than words. Why then should the clarifying terms be left to bafflement?