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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If you are looking for a symbol, check out our Guide to Musical Symbols.

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

  • comma [Italian] Difference in pitch between a note derived from pure tuning and the same note derived from some other tuning method.
  • dampen A directive to muffle, deaden or restrain the tone of an instrument.
  • ode A composition written in commemoration and celebration of a particular event, object, or person. Especially popular in England.
  • soli [Italian] “Alone” (plural form). A directive to perform with an entire section of an ensemble.
  • tardamente [Italian] Slowly.
  • performance directions Words or symbols provided by composers to instruct performers in how their music is to be played, including articulation, dynamics, expression, and phrasing.
  • art song A vocal music composition, usually written for one singer with piano or orchestral accompaniment.
  • doucement [French] Softly.
  • fantasia [Italian] Free instrumental piece of fairly large dimensions, in an improvisational style.
  • Motown A style of music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the late 1960s.
  • brio [Italian] Vivacity, spirit, liveliness.
  • foot joint The last section of a flute, played farthest towards the right.
  • alterezza [Italian] Pride or haughtiness.
  • tone A sound of definite pitch and duration, as distinct from noise. Tone is a primary building material of music.
  • alborada [Spanish] Literally, “dawn”. Lively instrumental composition to be played at daybreak, usually in 6/8 time.