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 2459 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

  • Tafelmusik [German] Literally, “table music”. Music that is performed at feasts and banquets.
  • repercussion The frequent repetition of the same sound. Also, the re-entrance of the subject and answer in a fugue following other material.
  • dopo [Italian] “After”.
  • Opp. [Latin] Plural of Op.
  • compound harmony Regular harmony with an added octave in the bass.
  • flute A woodwind instrument that is held horizontally and sounded by blowing across the mouthpiece of the instrument.
  • paso doble [Spanish] Literally, “double step”. A Spanish dance in a brisk duple meter, typically 2/4 time.
  • minuet A 17th-century court dance in moderate triple meter, originating in France.
  • third An interval of three diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
  • falsetto [Italian] Vocal technique whereby men can sing above their normal range, producing a lighter sound.
  • ritardando [Italian] Gradually delaying the tempo.
  • zu [German] “Too” (excessively).
  • Lombard rhythm A rhythm associated primarily with baroque music, generally consisting of a stressed sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note.
  • simile [Italian] “Similar”. Often used to designate the continuation of the use of an articulation without repeating the articulation symbol.
  • forefall An ascending appoggiatura.