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

  • figured bass A method of indicating an accompaniment part by the bass notes only, together with figures designating the chief chords to be played above the bass notes.
  • Middle Ages A period from about 600 AD until about 1450 AD. Sometimes divided divided into two periods, the early middle ages (ca. 600–1100) and the late middle ages or Gothic Period (ca. 1100–1450).
  • tonguing In the performance of wind instruments, the technique of using the tongue to produce certain sounds and effects, and especially the technique in which notes are attacked and articulated.
  • très [French] “Very”, “much”.
  • downbeat The first beat of a measure, the strongest in any meter.
  • passamezzo [Italian] A 16th and 17th century Italian dance similar to or identical to the pavane.
  • ancora [Italian] “Again”.
  • post-modern A term adopted around the mid-1970s to describe our current eclectic, experimental age.
  • comic opera A sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.
  • con semplicità [Italian] “With simplicity”.
  • lullaby A cradle song. A song sung to a child to soothe him to sleep or a gentle, quiet song.
  • 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.
  • sextuple meter Compound metrical pattern that consists of six beats to every measure.
  • forte [Italian] “Loud”.
  • fundamental A base pitch from which a series of harmonics is produced.