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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Some random terms

  • backfall A descending appoggiatura.
  • interval Difference in pitch between two notes.
  • loure [French] A slow, dignified French dance of the 17th and 18th centuries usually in 3/4 or 6/4 time.
  • recitativo accompagnato [Italian] Recitative accompanied by the entire orchestra.
  • libero [Italian] Literally, “free”. A directive to perform in a free, unrestrained style.
  • prima donna [Italian] Literally, “first lady”. Term used in opera for the principal female singer of the opera or of the opera company.
  • quadruplet A group of four notes played in the time usually taken to play six.
  • vago [Italian] Vague, indefinite.
  • sin' al fine [Italian] Literally, “to the end”. Usually attached to another directive, implying that whatever the other directive stated should be carried out to the end of the composition.
  • Schleppend [German] Dragging.
  • moins [French] “Less”.
  • gigue [French] A lively baroque dance in compound meter originating from the British jig, imported into France in the mid-17th century. It usually appears at the end of a suite.
  • leap Any movement from one note to another through means of an interval that is greater than a second.
  • retardation A slowing down of the tempo.
  • mazurka A lively Polish dance in 3/4 or 3/8 time with the accent usually on the second or third beat of the measure.