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

  • strophic form Song structure in which every stanza of the text is sung to the same musical tune.
  • vocalise [French] A vocal exercise that is sung without words, typically using different vowel sounds.
  • erregt [German] “Agitated”.
  • laisser vibrer [French] A directive to the performer of a harp, piano, cymbal, or other struck or plucked instrument that the sound should not be damped or stopped after the initial attack, but should be allowed to die away naturally.
  • 15mb [Italian] A directive to perform two octaves lower than written.
  • lai [French] A song form composed in northern Europe, mainly France and Germany, from the 13th to the late 14th century.
  • vaudeville [French] A variety show with unrelated acts consisting of stand-up comedy, virtuoso instrumental and vocal performance, and song and dance acts.
  • strathspey A lively Scottish dance in 4/4 time related to the reel. A characteristic of this dance is the peculiar rhythmic pattern of a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth, known as the Scotch snap.
  • calma [Italian] Calm.
  • réjouissance [French] A jubilant composition used to conclude some Baroque orchestral suites.
  • mainstream Music which is currently popular and in demand.
  • divertissment [French] A light, entertaining dance and music combination related to the divertimento.
  • impromptu [French] A single-movement piano composition of the Romantic era, usually short, with a spontaneous character.
  • consonance An accord of sounds sweet and pleasing to the ear.
  • fusion Style that combines jazz improvisation with amplified instruments of rock.