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

  • paraphrase In the Renaissance, a melody borrowed from another source (usually chant) and then elaborated freely. In the 19th century, a virtuoso composition using popular melodies, usually from operas, in an elaborated manner.
  • con slancio [Italian] With energy.
  • pasticcio [Italian] A composition assembled from passages taken from numerous other sources by various composers.
  • singhiozzando [Italian] Sobbing. May suggest the use of a strong portamento.
  • temperament The division of an octave into twelve equal parts.
  • rallentando [Italian] Slowing down.
  • rinforzando [Italian] Literally, “reinforcing”. Dynamic marking indicating that several notes, or a short phrase, are to be emphasized.
  • vocal music music that is written or arranged to be performed by human voices.
  • larynx The upper part of the trachea in the human throat. It is the mechanism that varies the tone of the voice.
  • cadenza [Italian] An improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a free rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display.
  • lyrics The words of a song.
  • legato [Italian] Literally, “tied together”. A directive to perform a certain passage in a smooth, connected style. It is usually indicated by a slur over the affected notes.
  • tardo [Italian] Slow.
  • gavotte [French] Duple meter baroque dance of a pastoral character.
  • round Perpetual canon at the unison in which each voice enters in succession with the same melody.