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

  • dotted note A note that has a dot placed to the right of the notehead, indicating that the duration of the note should be increased by half again its original duration.
  • xylophone A percussion instrument consisting of a row of chromatically tuned wooden bars, arranged in the manner of a piano keyboard.
  • passacaglia [Italian] Baroque form in moderately slow triple meter, based on a short, repeated base-line melody that serves as the basis for continuous variation in the other voices.
  • fantasia [Italian] Free instrumental piece of fairly large dimensions, in an improvisational style.
  • comodamente [Italian] Comfortably.
  • sarabande [French] Stately Spanish baroque dance type in triple meter, a standard movement of the Baroque suite.
  • polyrhythm The simultaneous use of several rhythmic patterns or meters, common in twentieth-century music and in certain African musics.
  • envoi [French] A short final stanza of a ballade which serves as a summary or dedication.
  • triplet Three notes of equal length that are to be performed in the duration of two notes of equal length.
  • riff In pop and jazz compositions, a short ostinato, two to four bars long. A prominent feature of jazz music.
  • première [French] Literally, “first”. The first public performance of a musical or dramatic work.
  • Reigenlied [German] Medieval dance form in triple meter, characterized by repeated notes and phrases.
  • amabile [Italian] Lovable, charming, amiable.
  • cotillion [French] A popular dance in the French Courts in the 18th and 19th century, that preceded the Quadrille style of dancing.
  • afflitto [Italian] Sad, melancholy.