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

  • orchestra An instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large, with string, brass, woodwind sections, and possibly a percussion section as well.
  • nocturne [French] A composition to be played at night in the open air. Also used by composers for piano and orchestral pieces that suggest some aspect of the night and are usually solemn and contemplative.
  • villancico [Spanish] A 15th and 16th century form of Spanish poetry that was often set to music.
  • werden [German] To become.
  • volta [Italian] “Time”, as in “first time” (prima volta) or “second time” (seconda volta).
  • prima volta [Italian] “First time”; may refer to the first ending of a repetition.
  • church mode A term used for the categories of modes used in Gregorian chant.
  • ballata [Italian] A type of fourteenth-century italian secular song, similar to the French virelai.
  • episode Interlude or intermediate section in the baroque fugue, which serves as an area of relaxation between statements of the subject.
  • zeloso [Italian] Zealous, keen, earnest.
  • allmählich [German] Used in conjunction with a tempo directive to indicate that the directive should be performed gradually, little by little.
  • measure The smallest metrical divisions of a composition, containing a fixed number of beats, the first of which bears an accent.
  • roulade [French] A highly ornamented vocal composition, usually for one voice and accompaniment.
  • pitch Highness or lowness of a tone, depending on the frequency (rate of vibration).
  • clos [French] The second ending of a repeated section.