Multilingual Music Glossary

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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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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

  • triplet Three notes of equal length that are to be performed in the duration of two notes of equal length.
  • giubilo [Italian] Rejoicing, jubilation.
  • stretto [Italian] In a fugue, that situation in which the subject and answer overlap one another, or when two subjects enter in close succession.
  • closed-hole A flute finger key which is fully covered.
  • ballet [French] A representation of a story by means of dances or pantomimic action accompanied by music.
  • oratorio [Italian] Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action.
  • Cecilia [Italian] Saint honored as the patroness of music.
  • staff Series of five horizontal lines upon and between which the musical notes are written, thus indicating, in connection with a clef, their pitch.
  • appoggiatura [Italian] Ornamental note, usually taking half of the duration of the main note it precedes.
  • lip plate The part of a flute which contacts the player's lower lip, allowing precise positioning and direction of the air stream.
  • allegrissimo [Italian] A fast tempo marking, faster than allegro.
  • tonality The organization of a composition around a tonic.
  • languendo [Italian] Languishing.
  • sight-singing The practice of singing a composition at sight, without previous preparation.
  • repercussion The frequent repetition of the same sound. Also, the re-entrance of the subject and answer in a fugue following other material.