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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Some random terms

  • samba [Portuguese] Afro-Brazilian dance, characterized by duple meter, responsorial singing and polyrhythmic accompaniments.
  • con passione [Italian] “With passion”.
  • circular breathing Technique used by players of some wind instruments to produce a continuous tone without interruption. This is accomplished by breathing in through the nose while simultaneously blowing out through the mouth using air stored in the cheeks.
  • head voice The highest register of the voice, excluding falsetto.
  • sostenuto [Italian] Sustained.
  • sonata da chiesa [Italian] A baroque instrumental work intended for performance in a church, generally in four movements, arranged slow, fast, slow, fast.
  • fine [Italian] Literally, “end”. An indication of where a composition ends when there is a repeat.
  • fugue [French] Polyphonic form popular in the Baroque era in which one or more themes are developed by imitative counterpoint.
  • oral tradition Music that is transmitted by example or imitation and performed from memory.
  • farce A comedy which aims to entertain the audience by means of extravagant and improbable situations.
  • geistvoll [German] Spirited, brilliant; with great sound.
  • repercussion The frequent repetition of the same sound. Also, the re-entrance of the subject and answer in a fugue following other material.
  • soli [Italian] “Alone” (plural form). A directive to perform with an entire section of an ensemble.
  • intontito [Italian] Dull, numbed, dazed, stunned.
  • paso doble [Spanish] Literally, “double step”. A Spanish dance in a brisk duple meter, typically 2/4 time.