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

  • suives [French] Literally, “follow”. A directive to an accompanist to follow the musical interpretation of the soloist.
  • comodetto [Italian] Diminutive form of comodo.
  • soul A style of composition developed in America in the 1960s conveying strong emotion. This style of music is characterized by dramatic delivery of the vocal line, commonly including wails, sighs, cries, falsetto, whispers, etc.
  • fortississimo [Italian] Extremely loud, louder than fortissimo.
  • sinfonietta [Italian] An orchestral work of smaller proportions than a full symphony.
  • con mala grazia [Italian] Ungracefully, awkwardly.
  • sentimento [Italian] Feeling, emotion.
  • sonata da camera [Italian] A baroque style of sonata, consisting in a suite of stylized dances, performed either by a small ensemble or by a soloist.
  • natural key A key whose signature contains no sharps or flats; basically, C major and A minor.
  • rastrum [Latin] A pen that has five points (nibs), for use in notating staff lines.
  • rapidamente [Italian] Rapidly.
  • mit Steigerung [German] With exaltation.
  • art music Music implying advanced structural and theoretical considerations and a written musical tradition. It is frequently used as a contrasting term to popular music and folk music.
  • dance Any physical movements done to music.
  • gallant style A clear, elegant, uncomplicated style that arose in contrast to the more complex style of Baroque counterpoint.