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

  • just intonation Tuning system in which the notes are obtained by adding and subtracting natural fifths and thirds.
  • come prima [Italian] “As before”. A directive to return to a previous tempo or to play a particular passage in the manner of a previous passage.
  • homophony Music in which one voice leads melodically followed by the other voices more or less in the same rhythm. In contrast with polyphony.
  • neoclassical Term applied to 20th century composers who use the forms and thematic processes of the classical era.
  • lauda [Latin] Laud, hymn of praise.
  • tablature Any form of musical notation using symbols or letters rather than notes on the staff to describe pitches.
  • Requiem [Latin] A composition to honor the deceased.
  • quadruple counterpoint Counterpoint in four parts.
  • Abendmusik [German] Evening music, usually religious in nature, originating in the 17th century.
  • bizzarro [Italian] Odd, whimsical, irregular.
  • modo [Italian] Way, manner.
  • mit [German] “With”.
  • blues African-American music genre, characterized by simple repetitive structures and by the use of the blues chord progressions and the blue notes.
  • exposition The first statement of a theme.
  • tief [German] Deep, low.