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

  • amabile [Italian] Lovable, charming, amiable.
  • étude [French] Study piece that focuses on a particular technical problem.
  • perdendo [Italian] Losing volume.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.
  • trio [Italian] A composition for three performers.
  • con malinconia [Italian] With melancholy.
  • anonymous A person whose name is unknown.
  • character piece Term used for a broad range of 19th century piano music based on a single idea or program.
  • stanchezza [Italian] Weariness.
  • quasi [Italian] “Almost”.
  • calmato [Italian] Calm.
  • metronome Device used to indicate the tempo by sounding regular beats at adjustable speeds.
  • ripieno [Italian] The notes added when realizing the figured bass of a basso continuo.
  • über [German] “Above”, “over”.
  • Kantorei [German] The musicians of a Protestant German court.