The terms, and markings on this page are only a small amount of things you may encounter in music. Compiled here are some basics that are printed in stringed instrument repertoire.
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Tempos
Largo - Very Slow
Adagio - Slow Andante - Moderately slow “Walking speed” Moderato - Moderate Allegretto - Moderately fast Allegro - Fast/Lively Vivace - Very fast Expression/Style
Brilliante - bright
Cantabile - Singing Dolce - Sweetly Espressivo - expressive Grazioso - WIth Grace Leggiero - Light/Airy Largamente - Broaden Meno - Less Mosso - Motion Piu - More Poco - Little Rit. or Rall. - to slow down Tranquillo - Peaceful |
Bowings
Dynamics
Pianissimo - Very quiet
Piano - Quiet Mezzo Piano - Medium quiet Mezzo Forte - Medium loud Forte - Loud Fortissimo - Very loud 
Pianissimo, Piano, MezzoPiano, MezzoForte, Forte, Fortissimo
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Other Key Terms
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a - Clef - Treble, Alto, and Bass are the most common.
b - Key Signature - The Sharps, or Flats at the beginning of a line of music. c - Time Signature - The two numbers at the beginning of a piece of music that denote how many beats there will be per measure (Top number), and what note will equal one beat (Bottom number). In the example there will be six beats per measure, and an eighth note equals one beat. d - Slur - Two or more different notes in the same bow e - Tie - Two or more of the same notes in the same bow f - Breath Mark/Bow lift - Many students first learn that this mark means 'bow lift' or 'circle bow'. This is not always the case. This marking is a 'breath mark' and when it is in a piece of music, but nothing indicating that a down-bow follows the performer takes a pause as if he/she is taking a breath. g - Left hand Pizzicato - using the left hand, usually the pinky, to pluck the string. Arco - To use the bow Pizzicato - To pluck the string |
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