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

  • dampen A directive to muffle, deaden or restrain the tone of an instrument.
  • line A general term for a discrete voice or part in a vocal or instrumental composition.
  • über [German] “Above”, “over”.
  • episode Interlude or intermediate section in the baroque fugue, which serves as an area of relaxation between statements of the subject.
  • moderato [Italian] A moderate tempo, faster than andante but slower than allegretto, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • pentatonic scale A scale of five tones. Commonly, these tones correspond to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th of a major scale.
  • lacrimoso [Italian] Tearful.
  • disco Commercial dance music popular in the 1970s, characterized by strong percussion in a quadruple meter.
  • ballad In jazz and popular music, a short song in a slow tempo, usually with a romantic or sentimental text.
  • temperament The division of an octave into twelve equal parts.
  • flamenco [Spanish] A genre of dance and music characterized by its use of modes, its unusual rhythm patterns and its use of guitar accompaniment.
  • heavy metal Rock style that gained popularity in the 1970s, characterized by simple, repetitive ideas and loud, distorted instrumental solos.
  • MIDI Acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”; technology standard that allows networking of computers with electronic musical instruments.
  • chaconne [French] Baroque form in 3/4 time similar to the passacaglia, in which the variations are based on a repeated chord progression.
  • neoromantic A compositional style of the 20th century embodying the techniques and characteristics of the romantic period.