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

  • flamenco [Spanish] A genre of dance and music characterized by its use of modes, its unusual rhythm patterns and its use of guitar accompaniment.
  • tardo [Italian] Slow.
  • turn An ornament consisting of four notes, alternating the main note with the one above it and the one below.
  • grave [Italian] The slowest tempo in music, usually slower than 40 BPM.
  • vocalise [French] A vocal exercise that is sung without words, typically using different vowel sounds.
  • strathspey A lively Scottish dance in 4/4 time related to the reel. A characteristic of this dance is the peculiar rhythmic pattern of a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth, known as the Scotch snap.
  • adagietto [Italian] A slow tempo marking, slightly faster than adagio.
  • sinfonietta [Italian] An orchestral work of smaller proportions than a full symphony.
  • fingering The methodical use of fingers in the playing of instruments.
  • cantabile [Italian] Songful, in a singing style.
  • branle [French] Quick French group dance of the Renaissance.
  • passepied [French] A baroque dance in triple meter.
  • martial music Music with a military feeling.
  • allegretto [Italian] A rather fast tempo marking between allegro and moderato, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • Renaissance The music of the period circa 1400–1600, directly following the Middle Ages and preceding the baroque era. Its style is characterized by charming melodies, imitative harmonies and lively ornamentation.