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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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

  • energico [Italian] With energy, vigorous.
  • false note A muted or dampened note that has rhythm but often no discernible pitch.
  • lentissimo [Italian] Very slow.
  • double [French] During the Baroque period, a repetition or variation of an air or a dance that adds extra notes and/or ornaments.
  • harmonic minor scale A minor scale where the seventh tone is raised by a semitone, both ascending and descending.
  • foxtrot Ballroom dance popular in the 19th century.
  • smear A slang term for a glissando performed on a trombone.
  • remote keys Those keys that have few notes in common. The key of C and the key of F sharp would be considered remote.
  • 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.
  • phrygian The mode based upon the third note of the major scale. In the key of C major, phrygian mode would start on the key of E, and include all the notes of the C major scale.
  • militare [Italian] Military.
  • villanelle [French] A French term used in the 16th century for pastoral poems or songs. The term was later revived, and applied to compositions by later composers.
  • 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.
  • musico [Italian] Term applied to any musician in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • binary measure A measure containing two beats.