Multilingual Music Glossary
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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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Some random terms
- backbeat A style of rhythmic accentuation that puts accents on even beats. In common time this means having accents on beats 2 and 4.
- closed-hole A flute finger key which is fully covered.
- giocoso
Jolly, merry, playful. - con amore
“With love”, lovingly. - amaramente
Bitterly, mournfully, grievingly. - simile
“Similar”. Often used to designate the continuation of the use of an articulation without repeating the articulation symbol. - calmato
Calm. - ledger line Short, horizontal line added to the top or the bottom of a staff for the reception of a note too high or too low to be represented on the staff.
- quasi
“Almost”. - sextuplet A group of six notes played in the time usually taken to play four.
- locrian A mode based upon the seventh tone of the major scale.
- symphonic poem A piece of orchestral music in one principal self-contained section called a “movement” in which a program from a poem, a story or novel, a painting, or another source is illustrated or evoked.
- festivo
Merry, festive. - galop
A lively ballroom dance, generally in 2/4 time. - lyric opera Hybrid form combining elements of grand opera and opéra comique and featuring appealing melodies and romantic drama.