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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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

  • vaudeville [French] A variety show with unrelated acts consisting of stand-up comedy, virtuoso instrumental and vocal performance, and song and dance acts.
  • decani [Latin] In Anglican church music, referring to the half of the choir sitting on the dean's side of the church.
  • empfindungsvoll [German] Feelingly.
  • jive A form of blues popular in the 1940s.
  • ictus [Latin] The instant when a beat occurs.
  • gravità [Italian] Gravity, utmost seriousness or solemnity.
  • divertimento [Italian] Instrumental composition intended for entertainment, usually in a number of movements. The term is used particularly in the second half of the 18th century.
  • dolce [Italian] Sweet, soft, with tender emotion.
  • spigliato [Italian] Self-confident, bold, smooth.
  • barcarolle [French] A folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers (oarsmen of the traditional Venetian rowing boat called gondola), or a piece of music composed in that style. It is characterized by a rhythm reminiscent of the gondolier's stroke, almost invariably a moderate tempo 6/8 meter.
  • fado [Portuguese] A type of street song and dance of Portugal, usually accompanied by a guitar.
  • sehr [German] “Very”, “much”.
  • mutig [German] Courageous, spirited.
  • foot joint The last section of a flute, played farthest towards the right.
  • phrasing The clear rendering in musical performance of the phrases of a melody.