List of Italian musical terms used in English


Many musical terms are in Italian, because the vast majority of the most important early composers, from the Renaissance to the Baroque period, were Italian. That period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time.
Some of the expressions include:

Musical forms

Musical instruments

Voices

Tempo

Dynamics – volume

Moods

Musical expression (general)

Patterns within the musical score

Directions

Techniques

Roles

Criticism

Musical direction and staging