Grades 3–5
Tempo Words: Slow to Fast
Tempo is the speed of the beat. Match each Italian tempo word to its meaning, then put them in order.
Music theory worksheet · Dynamics and tempo
Getting Louder, Getting Softer
A crescendo gets louder little by little. A decrescendo gets softer. Circle the right word for each one.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–4
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Topic
- Dynamics and tempo
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Reading p, mp, mf and f, Ordering dynamics from softest to loudest, Reading crescendo and decrescendo signs, Knowing tempo words from largo to presto
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- What does each sign tell you to do? Write “get louder” or “get softer”.
- Crescendo or decrescendo? Circle the one that fits.
- A train comes closer and closer.
- A parade marches away down the street.
- A few raindrops turn into a storm.
- An echo fades away in a cave.
- A crowd starts to cheer as the runner nears the finish line.
- A music box slowly winds down.
Teacher tip
Have kids trace a crescendo sign with a finger while humming and getting louder as the sign opens up. Trace the decrescendo and fade away.
How to use it
- Sing or clap one short pattern at each dynamic so kids feel the difference.
- Show a crescendo with your hands: start close together and spread them apart.
- Make the sound first. Clap, sing or play the idea before kids see it on paper.
Watch for
Mixing up loud with fast and soft with slow. Try loud and slow together to pull them apart.
Talk about it
- Which tempo fits a lullaby? A race?
- What does this symbol tell a musician to do?
Take it further
Let one child be the conductor and show dynamics with big and small arm motions.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More dynamics and tempo worksheets
Grades 2–5
Dynamics and Tempo Word Search
Find twelve dynamics and tempo words. They go across, down and diagonally.
Grades 1–2
Soft or Loud? Dynamics Match
Dynamics tell you how loud or soft to play. Draw a line from each sign to what it means.
Grades 2–4
Dynamics from Softest to Loudest
Number the six dynamics from 1, the softest, to 6, the loudest, then finish the sentences.
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