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

  • enharmonic Two notes, intervals, or scales having different names but equal pitch.
  • opera seria [Italian] Italian opera of the 18th and 19th centuries that was either heroic or tragic.
  • consonant A chord (or an interval) that is pleasing and harmonious to the ear.
  • Biamonti Catalog [Italian] A chronological catalog of Ludwig van Beethoven's compositions, compiled by Giovanni Biamonti.
  • score The complete musical notation of a composition, especially for an ensemble, where the individual parts are lined up vertically.
  • dur [French] Literally, “hard”. With a harsh or ungraceful tone.
  • medley A piece of music that is composed of melodies of other compositons strung together.
  • lento [Italian] Slow.
  • invention Mostly in reference to baroque music, a short, contrapuntal composition, usually implying an originality of idea.
  • drone A harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout much or all of a piece, sustained or repeated.
  • jig A vigorous dance originating in the British Isles in the 15th century or earlier, usually in compound meter.
  • seconda volta [Italian] “Second time”; may refer to the second ending of a repetition.
  • serioso [Italian] Serious, grave.
  • scherzando [Italian] Literally, “joking”. A directive to perform in a lively, playful, animated manner.
  • appassionato [Italian] Passionate, with intense emotion or feeling.