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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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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Some random terms

  • dissonance Any interval or chord that sounds impure, harsh, or unstable.
  • harmony Tones sounding simultaneously.
  • consonant A chord (or an interval) that is pleasing and harmonious to the ear.
  • oratorio [Italian] Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action.
  • suite [French] A work made up of a series of contrasting dance movements, generally all in the same key.
  • Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis [German] The numbering system identifying compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach.
  • anthem A choral setting of an English religious text similar to a motet, usually used in church with or without organ accompaniment.
  • postlude A composition that concludes a larger composition. Also, a composition performed at the end of a church service as the congregation leaves.
  • clef In musical notation, a symbol at the beginning of a staff that determines the pitches of the lines and spaces. The most common clefs are treble, for indicating pitches mostly above middle C, and bass, for indicating pitches mostly below middle C.
  • duration The length of time that a note is sounded or a rest (silence) is observed.
  • tronco [Italian] A directive to perform a certain passage short or “cut off”.
  • martellato [Italian] Literally, “hammered”. Strongly marked.
  • vocal music music that is written or arranged to be performed by human voices.
  • phrase A natural division of the melodic line, comparable to a sentence of speech.
  • burlesque [French] A humorous composition, usually involving parody or grotesque exaggeration.