Expression markings allow composers to indicate expressive aspects of the music; they include tempo markings, dynamic markings, phrasing marks, acents, and terms that describe a feeling (dolce, passionato). These markings give the performer a guideline- sometimes strict, sometimes vague- of the feeling that the composer wishes the music to have. This page deals with terms used to indicate feeling; other expression marks (tempo, dynamics, etc.) are dealt with on other pages on this site.Type
Expression marks are written in lower case italic type.
Expression marks should be placed as close as possible to the notes they affect.
In keyboard music, they are placed in between the staves; in vocal and instrumental music, they are attached to individual staves.