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

  • body The middle section of a flute, with the majority of the keys.
  • fois [French] “Time”, as in “first time” (première fois) or “second time” (deuxieme fois).
  • bass flute A flute that plays one octave below the concert flute.
  • perfect Term applied to the intervals of a unison, octave, fourth, and fifth when they are exactly in tune and not augmented nor diminished.
  • accompaniment Additional but subordinate music used to support a melodic line. Also, the art of playing along with a soloist or ensemble in a supporting manner.
  • pianississimo [Italian] Extremely soft, softer than pianissimo.
  • con anima [Italian] “With soul”, with feeling.
  • closed-hole A flute finger key which is fully covered.
  • bracket In a score, a vertical bracket that groups together the staves relative to the instruments of a section, like the woodwinds or the strings.
  • tonguing In the performance of wind instruments, the technique of using the tongue to produce certain sounds and effects, and especially the technique in which notes are attacked and articulated.
  • suives [French] Literally, “follow”. A directive to an accompanist to follow the musical interpretation of the soloist.
  • andante [Italian] Literally, “going”. A moderate tempo marking, usually around 76–108 BPM.
  • recoupe [French] A dance of the French Renaissance.
  • mit Steigerung [German] With exaltation.
  • al niente [Italian] Literally, “to nothing”. Fade to silence.