Multilingual Music Glossary
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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
- martellato
Literally, “hammered”. Strongly marked. - dodecaphony Ensuring that all 12 notes of the chromatic scale are sounded as often as one another in a piece of music while preventing the emphasis of any.
- well-tempered A term applied to an instrument that is voiced and tuned satisfactorily, with the pitches, tone, and timbre having the desired quality of sound.
- sin' al fine
Literally, “to the end”. Usually attached to another directive, implying that whatever the other directive stated should be carried out to the end of the composition. - planctus
Medieval style of song and poetry of a lamenting character. - tango
A dance in 2/4 time from Argentina. - vivacissimamente
A directive to perform in a very lively or brisk manner. - harmony Tones sounding simultaneously.
- brio
Vivacity, spirit, liveliness. - maestro
A title of respect given to a master musician. - temperament The division of an octave into twelve equal parts.
- instrumentation The particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition.
- galante
Gallant, courtly, elegant. - dal niente
Literally, “from nothing”. Out of silence. - beat A throbbing that is heard when two tones are slightly out of tune.