Multilingual Music Glossary

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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

  • gracieusement [French] Gracefully.
  • clef In musical notation, a symbol at the beginning of a staff that determines the pitches of the lines and spaces. The most common clefs are treble, for indicating pitches mostly above middle C, and bass, for indicating pitches mostly below middle C.
  • inconsolato [Italian] Disconsolate, mournful.
  • vivacissimamente [Italian] A directive to perform in a very lively or brisk manner.
  • walking bass In baroque music, a bass line that moves steadily in a rhythm contrasting to that of the upper parts.
  • quodlibet [Latin] A humorous composition that contains snatches of popular melodies and texts presented concurrently or consecutively.
  • cassation Classical instrumental genre related to the serenade or divertimento, often performed outdoors.
  • concertante [Italian] A part that calls for some element of solo performance, as in a classical concerto.
  • accablement [French] Despondency, oppression.
  • mosso [Italian] Moved, agitated.
  • schnell [German] Fast.
  • a tempo [Italian] A directive to return to the original tempo after a deliberate deviation.
  • mute A mechanical device used with string and brass instruments to muffle the tone.
  • un peu [French] A little.
  • answer Second entry of the subject in a fugue, usually pitched a fourth below or a fifth above the original subject. If the theme is altered slightly in the answer, then it is said to be a tonal answer, if it is entirely unaltered, it is said to be a real answer.