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

  • natural key A key whose signature contains no sharps or flats; basically, C major and A minor.
  • music Broadly speaking, sounds organized to express a wide variety of human emotions.
  • sereno [Italian] Serene, calm.
  • pienezza [Italian] “Fullness”.
  • groove Groove is the sense of propulsive rhythmic “feel” or sense of “swing” created by the interaction of the music played by a band's rhythm section (usually drums, electric bass or double bass, guitar, and keyboards).
  • 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.
  • largamente [Italian] With a broad, full sound.
  • break In the flute or other wind instrument, the place between the lower register of the instrument and the higher. For example, the break on the flute is between C-sharp and D.
  • whole tone scale A scale built entirely of whole tone intervals. Used commonly by the French impressionists.
  • burlesque [French] A humorous composition, usually involving parody or grotesque exaggeration.
  • frequency Rate of vibration of a string or column of air, which determines pitch. Usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
  • sehr [German] “Very”, “much”.
  • raddolcendo [Italian] Growing sweeter and calmer.
  • replica [Italian] Repetition.
  • sight-reading The practice of playing or singing a composition at sight, without previous preparation.