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

Hint: Don't worry about accents over letters, just skip them.

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…

You may browse the glossary alphabetically, or directly search for a term by using the search box above.

If you are looking for a symbol, check out our Guide to Musical Symbols.

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

  • plus [French] “More”.
  • arabesque [French] An ornament or an embellished work. The term is taken from the Arabic art and architecture which is very ornate.
  • sospirando [Italian] Sighing.
  • tonic The note upon which a scale or key is based.
  • heftig [German] Vehement, boisterous.
  • envoi [French] A short final stanza of a ballade which serves as a summary or dedication.
  • grunge rock Contemporary Seattle-based rock style characterized by harsh guitar chords; hybrid of punk rock and heavy metal.
  • vago [Italian] Vague, indefinite.
  • appoggiatura [Italian] Ornamental note, usually taking half of the duration of the main note it precedes.
  • vivacissimo [Italian] A fast tempo, faster than vivace.
  • con semplicità [Italian] “With simplicity”.
  • chord progression Series of chords played in order.
  • secco [Italian] Literally, “dry”. A directive to perform in an unornamented, cold manner. It usually implies that the notes should be of short duration.
  • phrasing The clear rendering in musical performance of the phrases of a melody.
  • vite [French] Fast.