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

  • quodlibet [Latin] A humorous composition that contains snatches of popular melodies and texts presented concurrently or consecutively.
  • goliard song Medieval Latin-texted secular song, often with corrupt or lewd lyrics; associated with wandering scholars.
  • con brio [Italian] With vivacity or spirit.
  • multiphonics The technique of performing two or more tones simultaneously on an instrument that is designed to produce only one tone at a time, like the flute.
  • mutig [German] Courageous, spirited.
  • modulation Moving from one key to another.
  • comodetto [Italian] Diminutive form of comodo.
  • variation An altered version of a rhythm, motive, or theme.
  • fantasia [Italian] Free instrumental piece of fairly large dimensions, in an improvisational style.
  • jarabe [Spanish] Traditional Mexican dance form with multiple sections in contrasting meters and tempos.
  • piccolo [Italian] Literally, “small”. A small flute that sounds an octave above the regular flute, and also an octave above its written music.
  • baroque The music of the period circa 1600–1750, directly following the Renaissance and preceding the Classical era. Its style is characterized by rich ornamentation.
  • fundamental The base note upon which a chord is built.
  • elegy A funeral song; a mournful or plaintive composition.
  • fixed form A form in which the poetic structure determines musical repetitions.