Multilingual Music Glossary

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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

  • mutig [German] Courageous, spirited.
  • rumba [Spanish] A dance originating in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Spanish colonizers and of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves.
  • moderato [Italian] A moderate tempo, faster than andante but slower than allegretto, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • saltando [Italian] Proceeding in leaps or skips.
  • fauxbourdon [French] A technique of musical harmonization used in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It consists of the cantus firmus and two other parts a sixth and a perfect fourth below.
  • opera seria [Italian] Italian opera of the 18th and 19th centuries that was either heroic or tragic.
  • un pochettino [Italian] A little bit.
  • retardation A slowing down of the tempo.
  • ballet [French] A representation of a story by means of dances or pantomimic action accompanied by music.
  • fiero [Italian] Proud, haughty, noble.
  • alla breve [Italian] A time marking indicating a quick duple meter, with the half note rather than the quarter note getting the beat (2/2 rather than 4/4).
  • Nachahmung [German] Imitation.
  • leap Any movement from one note to another through means of an interval that is greater than a second.
  • species counterpoint A technique of strict counterpoint involving the addition of voices to a melody advancing from simple to more complex harmonies.
  • spiritual A style of music invented by Afro-American slaves. Spirituals are generally religious songs with elements of African rhythms, Biblical texts, and American accents. Usually the text is concerned with earthly tribulations and heavenly justice and reward.