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

  • strepitoso [Italian] Boisterous, noisy.
  • episode Interlude or intermediate section in the baroque fugue, which serves as an area of relaxation between statements of the subject.
  • opus [Latin] A number, often assigned by a publisher, used to classify a particular work of a composer.
  • sciolto [Italian] A directive to perform at ease, in a light, free manner.
  • schnell [German] Fast.
  • appassionato [Italian] Passionate, with intense emotion or feeling.
  • ostinato [Italian] Literally, “obstinate”. A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout a composition.
  • gebrochen [German] “Broken”.
  • troppo [Italian] Too much.
  • interpretation The manner in which a performer carries out a composer's performance directions.
  • giusto [Italian] A directive to perform in an equal, steady, exact tempo.
  • martellato [Italian] Literally, “hammered”. Strongly marked.
  • 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.
  • overblowing A technique employed by woodwind players (flute players in particular) in which the player directs the flow of air to obtain a harmonic tone other than the fundamental.
  • jota [Spanish] A type of Spanish dance song characterized by a quick triple meter and guitar and castanet accompaniment.