Multilingual Music Glossary

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Found a word you don't know? No problem. Look it up in the Music Glossary!

We are currently providing explanations for 2484 terms from 12 languages, including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Latin…

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Please note: a music glossary is just like a dictionary. It contains explanations to musical terms. If you are looking for a piece, please go here instead: search tunes.

Some random terms

  • impromptu [French] A single-movement piano composition of the Romantic era, usually short, with a spontaneous character.
  • concertmaster The term used to address the principal first violinist of an orchestra.
  • brillante [Italian] Bright, brilliant.
  • senza [Italian] “Without”.
  • accablé [French] Overwhelmed.
  • vivacissimo [Italian] A fast tempo, faster than vivace.
  • sacred music Religious or spiritual music, for church or devotional use.
  • libero [Italian] Literally, “free”. A directive to perform in a free, unrestrained style.
  • accompaniment Additional but subordinate music used to support a melodic line. Also, the art of playing along with a soloist or ensemble in a supporting manner.
  • flute A woodwind instrument that is held horizontally and sounded by blowing across the mouthpiece of the instrument.
  • Cecilia [Italian] Saint honored as the patroness of music.
  • ober [German] Upper, higher.
  • passamezzo [Italian] A 16th and 17th century Italian dance similar to or identical to the pavane.
  • armonioso [Italian] Harmonious, pleasant-sounding.
  • clavier [French] Any keyboard instrument.