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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Some random terms

  • baton The stick used by the conductor to define the beat of the music. Also, a light metal rod used for keeping time, twirling and juggling in marching band performances.
  • immer [German] Ever, always.
  • sprezzatura [Italian] A term used in 17th century Italy describing a free style of performing compositions that ignored strict tempo and rhythm, embracing freedom of tempo and expressiveness.
  • tardamente [Italian] Slowly.
  • woodwind quintet Standard chamber ensemble consisting of one each of the following: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn (not a woodwind instrument).
  • Wiederholung [German] Repetition.
  • articulation The manner in which adjacent notes of a melody are connected or separated. Woodwind and brass instruments generally articulate by tonguing, the use of the tongue to break the airflow into the instrument.
  • vite [French] Fast.
  • augmentation Statement of a melody in longer note values, often twice as slow as the original.
  • simple meter A meter in which the main beats are subdivided into twos, such as 2/4 or 3/4.
  • fanfare A short, lively, loud, militaristic composition, usually composed for brass instruments and percussions.
  • stinger A chord at the end of a march that is used to punctuate the ending of the composition. The stinger is typically played by the entire ensemble on the last beat of the last measure of the composition and contains an accent.
  • false note A muted or dampened note that has rhythm but often no discernible pitch.
  • scherzando [Italian] Literally, “joking”. A directive to perform in a lively, playful, animated manner.
  • con malinconia [Italian] With melancholy.