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

  • Kammerton [German] Literally, “Chamber pitch”. The pitch system used for instruments in Germany during the baroque period. In this system, the A above middle C was probably about 410–425 Hz.
  • rhythm and blues An American music style popular between the 1940s and 1960s. Generally played by a lead vocalist or instrumentalist, a rhythm section, and an ensemble of voices, wind instruments, or guitar. Most R&B is vocal, in quadruple time, and in a major key, but characterized by blue notes.
  • triad A chord made up of three notes.
  • tombeau [French] Literally, “grave”. An instrumental funeral composition or a composition which commemorates the death of someone.
  • buffo [Italian] Comic, humorous.
  • M.M. Marking typically found at the beginning of a composition, identifying the tempo of the composition in terms of beats per minute. This marking originally stood for “Mälzel Metronome”, but has since come to designate “Metronome Marking”.
  • lenteur [French] “Slowness”.
  • 15ma [Italian] A directive to perform two octaves higher than written.
  • misurato [Italian] A directive to perform in a measured or strict tempo.
  • piece A term for any composition that is a complete work in itself. This could be a self-contained movement of a larger composition, such as an aria of an opera, or the entire composition.
  • seconda volta [Italian] “Second time”; may refer to the second ending of a repetition.
  • erregt [German] “Agitated”.
  • fusion Style that combines jazz improvisation with amplified instruments of rock.
  • minuet A 17th-century court dance in moderate triple meter, originating in France.
  • leading note The major seventh of a scale, so called because it lies a semitone below the tonic and “leads” towards it.