In music, an instruction to play in a capricious or whimsical manner, with freedom and spontaneity.
Italian musical term, adverbial form of 'capriccio,' used in sheet music to direct performers. Entered English directly from Italian in the 18th century alongside other musical performance instructions like 'allegro' and 'andante.'
When you see 'capriccioso' written on sheet music, it's basically the composer saying 'ignore my tempo markings and do whatever feels right'—it's permission to be wild within a structure.
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