Graceful

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the staff as a heading or mid-piece, often paired with another word (graceful, with feeling) in English-language editions and arrangements. It lasts until the next character marking.

How Composers Use It

The English equivalent of grazioso or gracieux: light, elegant, flowing delivery with gentle phrasing. English directions like this are common in twentieth-century British and American music and in teaching editions. It describes manner only, so pair it with a tempo word or metronome mark, and avoid stacking several adjectives, which dilutes each one.

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