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

  • comodo [Italian] Comfortable.
  • garbato [Italian] Kind, amiable, graceful
  • second The interval between two neighbouring tones of a scale. Since a diatonic scale consists of alternating semitones and whole tones, the size of a second depends on the scale degrees in question.
  • time signature A symbol placed at the left side of the staff indicating the meter of the composition.
  • pas de deux [French] An established item in ballet consisting of a dance performed by two dancers.
  • carol A festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship, and often with a dance-like or popular character.
  • Turmmusik [German] Literally, “tower music”. A term referring to the music, usually performed on wind instruments, which is played from a tower of a town hall or a church tower. Turmmusik was common in Germany from the 16th century to the 18th century.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.
  • recitativo secco [Italian] Recitative accompanied only by continuo.
  • MIDI Acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”; technology standard that allows networking of computers with electronic musical instruments.
  • romance [French] Originally a ballad; in the Romantic era, a lyric instrumental work.
  • refrain [French] A verse which repeats throughout a song or poem at given intervals.
  • giubilo [Italian] Rejoicing, jubilation.
  • Meistergesang [German] A tradition of songwriting and performance in Germany during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
  • tacet [Latin] Literally, “he is silent”. An indication that a performer is to be silent for some time.