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

  • sospirando [Italian] Sighing.
  • rinforzare [Italian] To reinforce.
  • parallel keys Two keys, one major and one minor, having the same tonic.
  • mais [French] “But”.
  • cassation Classical instrumental genre related to the serenade or divertimento, often performed outdoors.
  • doppel [German] “Double”.
  • schneller [German] Faster.
  • impetuoso [Italian] Impetuous, vehement.
  • forefall An ascending appoggiatura.
  • moto [Italian] Motion, movement.
  • branle [French] Quick French group dance of the Renaissance.
  • ricercare [Italian] Literally, “search”. Term used in the Renaissance originally meaning a keyboard or lute composition of an introductory nature, similar to a prelude, but later meaning a free composition more resembling a fantasia or a fugue. Both forms of the ricercare were characterized by complexity and an esoteric nature.
  • double sharp An accidental sign (‛x’) that raises a note by two semitones.
  • comme ci-dessus [French] “As above”.
  • non-imitative counterpoint A musical texture in which independent voices of different character compete for attention.