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

Hint: Don't worry about accents over letters, just skip them.

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…

You may browse the glossary alphabetically, or directly search for a term by using the search box above.

If you are looking for a symbol, check out our Guide to Musical Symbols.

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

  • sextuplet A group of six notes played in the time usually taken to play four.
  • rondellus [Latin] A 13th century English style of three-voice composition.
  • réjouissance [French] A jubilant composition used to conclude some Baroque orchestral suites.
  • form The structure of a composition, the frame upon which it is constructed.
  • spigliato [Italian] Self-confident, bold, smooth.
  • paraphrase In the Renaissance, a melody borrowed from another source (usually chant) and then elaborated freely. In the 19th century, a virtuoso composition using popular melodies, usually from operas, in an elaborated manner.
  • K Either Köchel or Kirkpatrick.
  • affannoso [Italian] With anxious expression.
  • étude [French] Study piece that focuses on a particular technical problem.
  • stentando [Italian] Literally, “having difficulty”. A directive to perform in an ungraceful, heavy manner, holding back each note.
  • Kammer [German] Chamber, room.
  • sonata da camera [Italian] A baroque style of sonata, consisting in a suite of stylized dances, performed either by a small ensemble or by a soloist.
  • white noise Sounds containing every audible frequency at approximately the same intensity.
  • sospirando [Italian] Sighing.
  • Rococo [French] A term applied to French compositions of the 18th century, implying light, airy, graceful, and ornamented style, in response to the rigid, severe lines of the previous era.