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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Some random terms

  • Burgundian chanson Fifteenth century French composition, usually for three voices, some or all of which may be played by instruments.
  • relative key The major and minor keys that share the same key signature.
  • dirge A generic term used for a composition designed specifically for a funeral or in commemoration of the dead.
  • piece A term for any composition that is a complete work in itself. This could be a self-contained movement of a larger composition, such as an aria of an opera, or the entire composition.
  • traditional music Music that is learned by oral transmission and is easily sung or played by most people.
  • compound interval An interval greater than an octave.
  • double tonguing A technique used in playing the flute and brass instruments which allows notes to be played in rapid succession. It is achieved by rapidly forming the consonants “T” and “K” in quick succession.
  • immer [German] Ever, always.
  • postlude A composition that concludes a larger composition. Also, a composition performed at the end of a church service as the congregation leaves.
  • bass flute A flute that plays one octave below the concert flute.
  • soul A style of composition developed in America in the 1960s conveying strong emotion. This style of music is characterized by dramatic delivery of the vocal line, commonly including wails, sighs, cries, falsetto, whispers, etc.
  • quickstep A dance popular in the 1920s in duple meter. Also, a fast march.
  • connecting note A note held in common by two chords.
  • 8vb [Italian] A directive to perform an octave lower than written.
  • un peu [French] A little.