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

  • spigliato [Italian] Self-confident, bold, smooth.
  • glee An English part song for three or more voices originating in the 17th century.
  • fado [Portuguese] A type of street song and dance of Portugal, usually accompanied by a guitar.
  • dance Any physical movements done to music.
  • opus [Latin] A number, often assigned by a publisher, used to classify a particular work of a composer.
  • strophic form Song structure in which every stanza of the text is sung to the same musical tune.
  • scale A series of notes in ascending or descending order that presents the pitches of a key or mode, beginning and ending on the tonic of that key or mode.
  • accompaniment Additional but subordinate music used to support a melodic line. Also, the art of playing along with a soloist or ensemble in a supporting manner.
  • giubilo [Italian] Rejoicing, jubilation.
  • villereccio [Italian] Rustic, rural.
  • traurig [German] Sad.
  • basso continuo [Italian] Literally, “continuous bass”. A bass part that runs continuously throughout a work, characteristic of Baroque music.
  • quieto [Italian] Calm, serene.
  • rondò [Italian] A form in which a principal theme (sometimes called the refrain) alternates with one or more contrasting themes, generally called episodes, but also occasionally referred to as digressions, or couplets. Possible patterns in the Classical Period include ABA, ABACA, ABABCA, etc.
  • part song A vocal composition for two or more voices, usually unaccompanied.