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

  • sinfonietta [Italian] An orchestral work of smaller proportions than a full symphony.
  • false note A muted or dampened note that has rhythm but often no discernible pitch.
  • Wiederholung [German] Repetition.
  • custos [Latin] (Plural: custodes.) A symbol that appears at the end of a staff line with a single voice). It anticipates the first note of the following line and thus helps the player or singer to manage line breaks during performance. Custodes were frequently used until the 16th century.
  • heptatonic scale Any scale of seven tones.
  • augmentation Statement of a melody in longer note values, often twice as slow as the original.
  • canto [Italian] Literally, “singing”. The highest vocal part in choral music.
  • temperament The division of an octave into twelve equal parts.
  • non-imitative counterpoint A musical texture in which independent voices of different character compete for attention.
  • polyphony Music written in a combination of several simultaneous voices (parts) of a more or less pronounced individuality.
  • suite [French] A work made up of a series of contrasting dance movements, generally all in the same key.
  • overblowing A technique employed by woodwind players (flute players in particular) in which the player directs the flow of air to obtain a harmonic tone other than the fundamental.
  • bagatelle [French] A short piece of music, typically for the piano, and usually of a light, mellow character. The term literally means a “trifle”, as a reference to the innocent character of the piece.
  • grand opera A style of opera that was developed in France in the 19th century that involved no spoken dialogue. It contained huge choruses, serious plots, elaborate dance episodes, ornate costumes and spectacular scenery.
  • zusammen [German] Literally, “together”. A directive to perform a certain passage of music together with other musicians in the section. Typically found after a divisi.