Multilingual Music Glossary

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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

  • lento [Italian] Slow.
  • half note A note that has half the duration of time of a whole note.
  • 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.
  • 15mb [Italian] A directive to perform two octaves lower than written.
  • tuning The adjustment of the pitch of an instrument. Also, the set pitches to which an instrument is tuned.
  • a due [Italian] For two voices or instruments; a duet. Also used to indicate that two instruments playing from the same part or score are to play in unison, after divisi or a solo passage for one of the instruments.
  • vago [Italian] Vague, indefinite.
  • wind instrument Any instrument that produces sound by means of a column of air.
  • ictus [Latin] The instant when a beat occurs.
  • andante [Italian] Literally, “going”. A moderate tempo marking, usually around 76–108 BPM.
  • libretto [Italian] A “little book” that contains the complete text of an opera, oratorio, and so forth.
  • string quintet Standard chamber ensemble made up of either two violins, two violas and cello, or two violins, viola and two cellos.
  • seventh An interval of seven diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
  • fertig [German] Dexterous, nimble, quick.
  • mais [French] “But”.