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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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

  • inline G On a flute, the standard position of the left-hand G (third-finger) key: in line with the first and second keys.
  • melisma (Plural: melismata.) A group of notes sung melodically to a single syllable.
  • mezza voce [Italian] Literally, “half voice”. A directive to perform in a quiet or restrained manner.
  • MIDI Acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”; technology standard that allows networking of computers with electronic musical instruments.
  • monophony Music that is written for only one voice or part.
  • Kantorei [German] The musicians of a Protestant German court.
  • melodic minor scale A minor scale where the sixth and seventh tones are raised by a semitone when the scale is ascending. When the scale is descending, the melodic minor scale is the same as the natural minor scale.
  • ballet [French] A representation of a story by means of dances or pantomimic action accompanied by music.
  • common chord A chord consisting of the root, third, and fifth.
  • passamezzo [Italian] A 16th and 17th century Italian dance similar to or identical to the pavane.
  • dal niente [Italian] Literally, “from nothing”. Out of silence.
  • embouchure [French] The placement of the lips, lower facial muscles and jaws in playing a wind instrument.
  • incipit [Latin] The beginning of a musical composition.
  • maestoso [Italian] Majestic.
  • forefall An ascending appoggiatura.