Music glossary

Piano
1. A musical instrument played by pressing down keys on a keyboard and causing hammers to strike metal strings, the vibration from which is stopped by dampers when the keys are released.
2. Performed softly.

Pianissimo
It.: "very soft".

Pop
Popular or modern music style.

Prelude (or preludium)
A short piece of music used as an introduction to a larger musical work or an event, such as a mass.

Prestissimo
Very fast. Superlative of presto.

Presto
It.: "fast". Presto is generally used as the fastest tempo marking. In 18th century music it usually means as fast as possible.

Prima vista
It.: "first sight". Prima vista, or sight reading, means playing unknown music directly from the score.

Punk rock
A loud fast moving form of rock music with crude and aggressive effects.