Leggiero
Light
"Leggiero" is an Italian term that translates to "light" or "lightly" in English, conveying the meanings of "delicacy" or "graceful lightness".
In music, "leggiero" is an instruction used to guide performers to play with a light and nimble quality, evoking a sense of delicacy and elegance.
In other words, when interpreting "leggiero", performers should aim to create a musical performance that is characterized by a light and graceful demeanor, allowing the audience to experience a musical ambiance that reflects the delicate and nimble nature of the piece being played.
Example of Leggiero
Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Worte, Op. 67 - No. 2 Allegro leggiero (Arr. Ottensamer for Clarinet...
Common Expression Markings
| Musical Terms | Meaning |
| Affettuoso | Affectionate, expressive |
| Agitato | Agitated, restless |
| Animato | Animated, lively |
| Appassionato | Passionate, emotional |
| Brillante | Brilliant, shining |
| Brioso | Lively, vivacious |
| Bruscamente | Abruptly, suddenly |
| Buffo | Comic, humorous |
| Cantabile | Singing, song-like |
| Celere | Fast, quick |
| Colossale | Colossal, enormous |
| Comodo | Comfortable, convenient |
| Con amore | With love, affectionately |
| Con brio | With vigor, with spirit |
| Con forza | With force, with strength |
| Con fuoco | With fire, with passion |
| Con grazia | With grace, with elegance |
| Con moto | With motion, with movement |
| Con spirito | With spirit, with energy |
| Dolce | Sweet, gentle |
| Doloroso | Sorrowful, painful |
| Drammatico | Dramatic |
| Energico | Energetic, forceful |
| Espressivo | Expressive |
| Feroce | Fierce, ferocious |
| Festoso | Festive, joyful |
| Furioso | Furious, violent |
| Giocoso | Playful, joyful |
| Grandioso | Grand, majestic |
| Grazioso | Graceful |
| Lacrimoso | Tearful, weeping |
| Leggiero | Light |
| Maestoso | Majestic |
| Marcato | Emphasized, accentuated |
| Misterioso | Mysterious |
| Pesante | Heavy, weighty |
| Risoluto | Resolute, with determination |
| Scherzando | Jokingly, playful |
| Semplicemente | Simple, plainly |
| Slancio | Impulse, momentum |
| Solitario | Solitary, lonely |
| Sonore | Sonorous, resonant |
| Sostenuto | Sustained, steady |
| Sotto voce | Soft voice |
| Tranquillo | Calm, peaceful |
| Volante | Flying, light |