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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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

  • Kammer [German] Chamber, room.
  • zarzuela [Spanish] A Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular song, as well as dance.
  • fiero [Italian] Proud, haughty, noble.
  • dolcissimo [Italian] Very sweet, very soft.
  • string quintet Standard chamber ensemble made up of either two violins, two violas and cello, or two violins, viola and two cellos.
  • uguale [Italian] Equal, the same.
  • sciolto [Italian] A directive to perform at ease, in a light, free manner.
  • recorder A wind instrument of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras. The recorder is a simple instrument related to the flute; it is sounded by blowing into one end and the pitch is adjusted by covering finger holes.
  • line A general term for a discrete voice or part in a vocal or instrumental composition.
  • larghissimo [Italian] An extremely slow tempo, slower than largo.
  • brillante [Italian] Bright, brilliant.
  • consonance An accord of sounds sweet and pleasing to the ear.
  • con brio [Italian] With vivacity or spirit.
  • French model A flute with pointed French-style arms and open-hole finger keys, as distinguished from the plateau style with closed holes.
  • demi [French] “Half”.