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

  • strisciando [Italian] A directive to perform with a slur, a smooth slide, or a glide from one note to another.
  • passacaglia [Italian] Baroque form in moderately slow triple meter, based on a short, repeated base-line melody that serves as the basis for continuous variation in the other voices.
  • staccato [Italian] A style of playing notes in a detached, separated, distinct manner, as opposed to legato.
  • un peu [French] A little.
  • postlude A composition that concludes a larger composition. Also, a composition performed at the end of a church service as the congregation leaves.
  • planctus [Latin] Medieval style of song and poetry of a lamenting character.
  • chamber music Ensemble music for two to about ten players, with one player to a part and usually without a conductor, intended for performance in a room or chamber as opposed to a church or larger building.
  • sight-reading The practice of playing or singing a composition at sight, without previous preparation.
  • legato [Italian] Literally, “tied together”. A directive to perform a certain passage in a smooth, connected style. It is usually indicated by a slur over the affected notes.
  • sextuplet A group of six notes played in the time usually taken to play four.
  • polonaise [French] Stately Polish processional dance in triple meter.
  • attacca [Italian] A musical directive for the performer to begin the next section of a composition immediately and without pause.
  • overtone A constituent frequency of a sound other than the fundamental frequency.
  • cabaletta [Italian] A form of aria within 19th century Italian opera. It is usually found as the last part of a double aria, with the scena, cantabile and the tempo di mezzo preceeding it. It is often in a fast tempo.
  • glissando [Italian] Rapid slide through pitches of a scale. A glissando with the voice is known as portamento.