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

  • bourrée [French] An old French dance in use during the Baroque period, very rapid and hearty, usually in 2/4 or 2/2 time.
  • calypso A style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the beginning of the 20th century.
  • anacrusis One or more unstressed notes preceding the first downbeat in a bar.
  • polychord The simultaneous use of two or more simple chords (such as triads), a technique used in 20th century compositions.
  • countersubject The secondary theme of a fugue, heard against the subject.
  • compound harmony Regular harmony with an added octave in the bass.
  • K Either Köchel or Kirkpatrick.
  • minor Term referring to a sequence of notes that define the tonality of the minor scale. The main difference from the major scale is the third, which is lowered by a semitone. The sixth and seventh degrees are usually lowered, too, generating the natural minor scale.
  • non-harmonic note In part writing, a note that is dissonant with other notes in the same chord.
  • impromptu [French] A single-movement piano composition of the Romantic era, usually short, with a spontaneous character.
  • patetico [Italian] “Pathetic”, with great emotion.
  • tonality The organization of a composition around a tonic.
  • vivacissimamente [Italian] A directive to perform in a very lively or brisk manner.
  • pianissimo [Italian] Very soft, softer than piano.
  • music Broadly speaking, sounds organized to express a wide variety of human emotions.