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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Some random terms

  • fauxbourdon [French] A technique of musical harmonization used in the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. It consists of the cantus firmus and two other parts a sixth and a perfect fourth below.
  • scherzo [Italian] Literally, “jest“. A composition in ABA form, usually in triple meter. Originally, in the early 17th century, the scherzo was a piece of lively, playful character, with animated rhythm.
  • concerto grosso [Italian] A baroque style of music in which a small group of solo instruments (the concertino) plays in opposition to a larger ensemble (the ripieno).
  • non [Italian] “Not”.
  • leggerissimo [Italian] Very light, very delicate.
  • savamment [French] Skilfully, expertly; with knowledge and experience.
  • upbeat The last beat of any measure, usually a weak beat.
  • militare [Italian] Military.
  • dominant The fifth degree of a diatonic scale.
  • cakewalk Traditional, syncopated African-American form of music and dance which originated among slaves in the Southern United States.
  • comodetto [Italian] Diminutive form of comodo.
  • etwas [German] “Somewhat”.
  • mediant The third note of a diatonic scale.
  • chromatic scale A scale consisting of all 12 semitones.
  • diabolus in musica [Latin] Literally, “the devil in music”. A medieval name for the tritone.