Multilingual Music Glossary
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Some random terms
- ragtime Late nineteenth century piano style created by African-Americans, characterized by highly syncopated melodies.
- strain A division of a composition between two double bars. It can also be referred to as a section. A strain will typically contain a primary or secondary melody of the larger composition that is often repeated.
- retransition In sonata-allegro form, the last part of the development which leads to the tonic of the main key and usually emphasizes it.
- espressione
“Expression”. - semitone The interval of a minor second.
- mormorando
Murmuring. - musical Genre of twentieth century musical theater, especially popular in the United States and Great Britain; characterized by spoken dialogue, dramatic plot interspersed with songs, ensemble numbers and dancing.
- tema
Theme, subject. - backfall A descending appoggiatura.
- fundamental A base pitch from which a series of harmonics is produced.
- technique The mechanical aspect of performing a composition.
- falsetto
Vocal technique whereby men can sing above their normal range, producing a lighter sound. - accompagnato
Accompanied. - vocal cords The vocal organs in the human being which produce sound.
- pianississimo
Extremely soft, softer than pianissimo.