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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If you are looking for a symbol, check out our Guide to Musical Symbols.

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

  • envoi [French] A short final stanza of a ballade which serves as a summary or dedication.
  • sans [French] “Without”.
  • double flat An accidental sign consisting of two flat symbols, that lowers a note by two semitones.
  • con tenerezza [Italian] “With tenderness”.
  • con fuoco [Italian] Literally, “with fire”. A directive to play with vehement energy or fervid emotion.
  • chord progression Series of chords played in order.
  • sottovoce [Italian] Almost whispering.
  • con amore [Italian] “With love”, lovingly.
  • echo A repetition or mimicking of a certain passage, usually with less force and volume than the original statement.
  • concert pitch The tuning pitch of an ensemble, typically A440.
  • solo [Italian] A passage that is to be performed by a single performer.
  • lentement [French] Slowly.
  • flat An accidental symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by a semitone.
  • moderato [Italian] A moderate tempo, faster than andante but slower than allegretto, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • 15ma [Italian] A directive to perform two octaves higher than written.