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

  • connecting note A note held in common by two chords.
  • interval Difference in pitch between two notes.
  • concertante [Italian] A part that calls for some element of solo performance, as in a classical concerto.
  • comp Jazz term used to describe the accompaniment backing up a soloist.
  • mordent An ornament indicating that a note is to be played in a single rapid alternation with the note above or below.
  • sono [Italian] Sound.
  • col [Italian] “With the”
  • hymn Song in praise of God; often involves congregational participation.
  • walking bass In baroque music, a bass line that moves steadily in a rhythm contrasting to that of the upper parts.
  • national anthem A song, usually an anthem, a fanfare, a march, or a hymn, that is used as a national symbol.
  • violento [Italian] Violent, vehement.
  • Kirkpatrick numbers The numbering system identifying compositions by Domenico Scarlatti.
  • Nachahmung [German] Imitation.
  • Meistergesang [German] A tradition of songwriting and performance in Germany during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
  • polyphony Music written in a combination of several simultaneous voices (parts) of a more or less pronounced individuality.