For the ABRSM grade 2 music theory exam you’re going to need to know some Italian words and symbols and what they mean.
Although it can seem quite daunting at first don’t worry. You’ll pick them up easily with a bit of work and revision.
What are the grade 2 performance directions?
So below are all the Grade 2 performance directions for you to start getting to know.
Once you’re done with them try the quiz at the bottom of the page to test how well you know them.
You can also download a free pdf to print out below.
The Grade 2 Italian Music Terms
| Grade 2 Italian Terms | Definition |
| a | at, by, for, in the style of, to |
| al, alla | to the, in the manner of |
| allargando | broadening (getting a little slow and probably louder) |
| andantino | slightly faster than andante |
| assai | very |
| con, col | with |
| dal segno / D.S | repeat from the sign |
| e, ed | and |
| espressivo / express. / espr. | expressive |
| fortepiano | loud, then immediately soft |
| giocoso | playful, merry |
| grave | very slow, solemn |
| grazioso | graceful |
| larghetto | rather slow (not as slow as largo) |
| largo | slow, stately |
| lento | slow |
| ma | but |
| maestoso | majestic |
| meno | less |
| molto | very, much |
| mosso, moto | movement |
| non | not |
| più | more |
| poco | a little |
| presto | fast |
| ritenuto / rit. / riten. | held back |
| senza | without |
| sforzando / zforzato | forced, accented |
| simile / sim. | in the same way |
| sostenuto | sustained |
| tenuto | held |
| troppo | too much |
| vivace, vivo | lively, quick |
Grade 2 Italian Terms Quiz
Time for a quiz!
See how well you know the above grade 2 performance terms by taking the quiz below.
Good luck.
If you’re taking a grade two theory exam there are some other words you’ll need to take a look at.
To see all the other performance directions that you’ll have to learn for grade 1 and also further grades, you can use any of the links below.
