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

  • grosso [Italian] Large, great, grand.
  • ritmico [Italian] Literally, “rhythmic”. A directive to strictly conform to the written rhythm, emphasizing it.
  • alla breve [Italian] A time marking indicating a quick duple meter, with the half note rather than the quarter note getting the beat (2/2 rather than 4/4).
  • grandioso [Italian] Majestic, grand, noble.
  • spinto [Italian] A term describing a lyric voice, usually that of a soprano or tenor, that can also achieve powerful, dramatic effects. Also, a part written for a voice of such character.
  • classical The music of the period circa 1750–1825. The Classical period falls between the Baroque and the Romantic periods.
  • vaudeville [French] A variety show with unrelated acts consisting of stand-up comedy, virtuoso instrumental and vocal performance, and song and dance acts.
  • aubade [French] A song or instrumental composition concerning, accompanying, or evoking daybreak.
  • overtone A constituent frequency of a sound other than the fundamental frequency.
  • beat A throbbing that is heard when two tones are slightly out of tune.
  • enharmonic Two notes, intervals, or scales having different names but equal pitch.
  • diminuendo [Italian] A directive to smoothly decrease the volume.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.
  • etwas [German] “Somewhat”.
  • branle [French] Quick French group dance of the Renaissance.