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

  • fifth An interval of five diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
  • sight-reading The practice of playing or singing a composition at sight, without previous preparation.
  • prestissimo [Italian] Extremely fast tempo marking, usually around 200 BPM.
  • wind ensemble An instrumental ensemble consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
  • comic opera A sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.
  • cantor [Latin] Solo singer or singing leader in Jewish and Christian liturgical music.
  • lydian The church mode based on F, containing the notes of the C major scale, yet using F as the tonic.
  • Kammerton [German] Literally, “Chamber pitch”. The pitch system used for instruments in Germany during the baroque period. In this system, the A above middle C was probably about 410–425 Hz.
  • comp Jazz term used to describe the accompaniment backing up a soloist.
  • buffo [Italian] Comic, humorous.
  • aria [Italian] Lyric song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment, generally expressing intense emotion; found in opera, cantata, and oratorio.
  • gymel A Medieval technique of splitting one voice part into two parts, both with the same range. In most cases the voices would start and end together, but would diverge in the middle of the composition.
  • dance Any physical movements done to music.
  • unison Interval between two notes of the same pitch; the simultaneous playing of the same note.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.