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

  • nocturne [French] A composition to be played at night in the open air. Also used by composers for piano and orchestral pieces that suggest some aspect of the night and are usually solemn and contemplative.
  • religioso [Italian] Religious, devout.
  • isorhythmic motet Medieval and early Renaissance motet based on a repeating rhythmic pattern throughout one or more voices.
  • false note A muted or dampened note that has rhythm but often no discernible pitch.
  • quieto [Italian] Calm, serene.
  • tutti [Italian] “All”. A directive to perform with all instruments together.
  • romance [French] Originally a ballad; in the Romantic era, a lyric instrumental work.
  • sixty-fourth note A note having the time duration of one sixty-fourth of a whole note.
  • temperament The division of an octave into twelve equal parts.
  • brio [Italian] Vivacity, spirit, liveliness.
  • mit Steigerung [German] With exaltation.
  • pomposo [Italian] Pompous, stately, or ceremonious.
  • plus [French] “More”.
  • andante [Italian] Literally, “going”. A moderate tempo marking, usually around 76–108 BPM.
  • wind ensemble An instrumental ensemble consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.