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

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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Some random terms

  • lieblich [German] Charming, lovely.
  • refrain [French] A verse which repeats throughout a song or poem at given intervals.
  • outer voices The highest and the lowest voices in a polyphonic composition.
  • ionian In the system of modes, the ionian mode is the one based on C; therefore, it is the modern major scale.
  • sonatina [Italian] A form popular in the late classical era that consisted of a short or “light” sonata; often the sonatina contained an exposition and recapitulation without the development section. The form has been revived in the 20th century by various composers.
  • pitch Highness or lowness of a tone, depending on the frequency (rate of vibration).
  • Gregorian chant Monophonic melody with a freely flowing, unmeasured vocal line; liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church.
  • locrian A mode based upon the seventh tone of the major scale.
  • hautbois [French] Oboe.
  • natural minor scale A scale similar to the major scale, but with the third, sixth and seventh degrees lowered by a semitone.
  • toujours [French] Always.
  • baton The stick used by the conductor to define the beat of the music. Also, a light metal rod used for keeping time, twirling and juggling in marching band performances.
  • haut [French] Literally, “high”. Medieval category of loud instruments, used principally for outdoor occasions.
  • Abendmusik [German] Evening music, usually religious in nature, originating in the 17th century.
  • leggiero [Italian] Light, delicate.