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

  • basse dance [French] A graceful, stately court dance of the early Renaissance.
  • stanchezza [Italian] Weariness.
  • countersubject The secondary theme of a fugue, heard against the subject.
  • gebrochen [German] “Broken”.
  • bass flute A flute that plays one octave below the concert flute.
  • innocentemente Innocently.
  • retrograde Backward statement of a melody.
  • grand opera A style of opera that was developed in France in the 19th century that involved no spoken dialogue. It contained huge choruses, serious plots, elaborate dance episodes, ornate costumes and spectacular scenery.
  • non-transposing instrument An instrument which is notated in the same key on paper that it sounds when played.
  • estinto [Italian] Literally, “extinguished”. A directive to perform as soft as possible.
  • postlude A composition that concludes a larger composition. Also, a composition performed at the end of a church service as the congregation leaves.
  • languendo [Italian] Languishing.
  • acoustical instrument Any musical instrument not relying on external power for operation.
  • deciso [Italian] Decided, bold.
  • leggerissimo [Italian] Very light, very delicate.