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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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

  • line A general term for a discrete voice or part in a vocal or instrumental composition.
  • castrato Male singer who was castrated during boyhood to preserve the soprano or alto vocal register, prominent in seventeenth and early eighteenth century opera.
  • allegretto [Italian] A rather fast tempo marking between allegro and moderato, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • metronome Device used to indicate the tempo by sounding regular beats at adjustable speeds.
  • dolcissimo [Italian] Very sweet, very soft.
  • diatonic Melody or harmony built from the seven tones of a major or minor scale.
  • larynx The upper part of the trachea in the human throat. It is the mechanism that varies the tone of the voice.
  • locrian A mode based upon the seventh tone of the major scale.
  • transcription Either notating an unnotated piece, or rewriting a piece, either simply recopying, as for clarity, or as an arrangement for another instrument.
  • frottola [Italian] A secular song that was popular in Italy in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, direct predecessor of the madrigal.
  • Dixieland An early style of jazz originating in the early 20th century in New Orleans with a simple, cheerful character.
  • severità [Italian] Strictness, severity.
  • vocal cords The vocal organs in the human being which produce sound.
  • round Perpetual canon at the unison in which each voice enters in succession with the same melody.
  • fantasia [Italian] Free instrumental piece of fairly large dimensions, in an improvisational style.