Multilingual Music Glossary
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Some random terms
- leggerissimo
![[Italian]](https://www.flutetunes.com/img/languages/it.png "Italian")
Very light, very delicate. - cavatina Originally, a short song of simple character, without a second strain or any repetition of the air. It is now frequently applied to a simple melodious air, as distinguished from a brilliant aria or recitative, and often forms part of a large movement or scena in oratorio or opera.
- acoustical instrument Any musical instrument not relying on external power for operation.
- giusto A directive to perform in an equal, steady, exact tempo.
- arrangement A rewriting of a piece of existing music with additional new material, or a fleshing-out of a compositional sketch. If a musical adaptation does not include new material, it is more accurately termed a transcription or orchestration.
- transcription Either notating an unnotated piece, or rewriting a piece, either simply recopying, as for clarity, or as an arrangement for another instrument.
- cadenza 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.
- dramma giocoso A kind of comic opera originating around 1750, with sentimental or pathetic plots bordering on tragedy rather than the traditional lighthearted comic plots.
- rapidamente Rapidly.
- pibroch Scottish traditional theme and variation form music to be performed on the bagpipe. This term refers to the more serious, courtly music rather than to dance music and military music.
- mode A series of notes into which the octave is divided according to specific systems. These systems or modes are used as the basis for composing music. Examples of modes are the major and minor scales.
- incidental music Music written to accompany dramatic works.
- third An interval of three diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
- con forza “With force”, vigorously.
- mezzo Half, medium.