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

  • hautbois [French] Oboe.
  • partita [Italian] In the 18th and 19th century, a multi-movement composition consisting of dances and non-dance movements or entirely of non-dance movements.
  • refrain [French] A verse which repeats throughout a song or poem at given intervals.
  • staccato [Italian] A style of playing notes in a detached, separated, distinct manner, as opposed to legato.
  • corps [French] Literally, “body”. May indicate the body of an instrument or a company of performers.
  • invention Mostly in reference to baroque music, a short, contrapuntal composition, usually implying an originality of idea.
  • dramatic soprano A soprano voice type with a heavier tone color and more power throughout her range.
  • quasi [Italian] “Almost”.
  • giubilo [Italian] Rejoicing, jubilation.
  • strascinando [Italian] Dragging.
  • bore The diameter of the tube of a woodwind or brass instrument. The shape of the bore in part dictates the timbre or tone color of the instrument.
  • vaudeville [French] A variety show with unrelated acts consisting of stand-up comedy, virtuoso instrumental and vocal performance, and song and dance acts.
  • ode A composition written in commemoration and celebration of a particular event, object, or person. Especially popular in England.
  • con mala grazia [Italian] Ungracefully, awkwardly.
  • performer The musician that brings a composition to reality.