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

  • calypso A style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the beginning of the 20th century.
  • lentement [French] Slowly.
  • common chord A chord that appears in more than one key. Frequently used in modulation.
  • eilen [German] To hasten, to accelerate.
  • allegrissimo [Italian] A fast tempo marking, faster than allegro.
  • brio [Italian] Vivacity, spirit, liveliness.
  • strain A division of a composition between two double bars. It can also be referred to as a section. A strain will typically contain a primary or secondary melody of the larger composition that is often repeated.
  • Longo numbers A numbering system identifying keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti.
  • réjouissance [French] A jubilant composition used to conclude some Baroque orchestral suites.
  • vivo [Italian] Lively.
  • new wave Subgenre of rock popular since the late 1970s, highly influenced by simple 1950s-style rock and roll; developed as a rejection of the complexities of art rock and heavy metal.
  • coda [Italian] Literally, “tail”. The last part of a piece, usually added to a standard form to bring it to a close.
  • 8va [Italian] A directive to perform an octave higher than written.
  • moderato [Italian] A moderate tempo, faster than andante but slower than allegretto, usually around 100–120 BPM.
  • pochissimo [Italian] “Very little”.