Multilingual Music Glossary
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We are currently providing explanations for 2409 terms from 12 languages, including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, Latin…
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Some random terms
- transposing instrument Those instruments which are notated in one key on paper, yet sound another key when they are performed.
- time signature A symbol placed at the left side of the staff indicating the meter of the composition.
- meno
“Less”. - dur
Literally, “hard”. With a harsh or ungraceful tone. - key signature The sharps or flats appearing at the beginning of each staff indicating the key of the music.
- common time 4/4 time.
- sereno
Serene, calm. - amabile
Lovable, charming, amiable. - lebhaft
Lively. - mordent An ornament indicating that a note is to be played in a single rapid alternation with the note above or below.
- fluttertonguing Wind instrument technique in which the tongue is fluttered or trilled against the roof of the mouth.
- harmonic minor scale A minor scale where the seventh tone is raised by a semitone, both ascending and descending.
- traditional music Music that is learned by oral transmission and is easily sung or played by most people.
- bar Each of the lines drawn perpendicularly across the staff to divide it into measures. In common usage the term may also mean measure.
- samba
Afro-Brazilian dance, characterized by duple meter, responsorial singing and polyrhythmic accompaniments.