Italian terms

• arco

  using a bow (also known as bowing)
• strumming

  playing multiple strings at once
• plucking

  playing one string at a time
• pizzicato

  plucking
• mute

  a device played on a brass instrument or on a string instruments bridge which makes the strings sound muted
• blowing

  blowing air into an instrument
• glissando


  slide
• crescendo

  getting louder
• accelerando


  speeding up
• ostinato

  a repeated/rhythmic phrase, used in non-popular such as orchestras and film soundtracks
• diminuendo


  getting softer
• rallentando

  slowing down