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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Please note: a music glossary is just like a dictionary. It contains explanations to musical terms. If you are looking for a piece, please go here instead: search tunes.

Some random terms

  • détaché [French] Not slurred.
  • jive A form of blues popular in the 1940s.
  • binary form Two-part structure of music; usually each part is repeated.
  • suives [French] Literally, “follow”. A directive to an accompanist to follow the musical interpretation of the soloist.
  • key On a woodwind instrument, the keys are the metal disks that close or open soundholes by means of levers operated by the performer's fingers.
  • burlesque [French] A humorous composition, usually involving parody or grotesque exaggeration.
  • volando [Italian] Flying.
  • fifth An interval of five diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
  • alto flute A flute pitched in the key of G, sounding a 4th lower than the concert flute.
  • lamentevole [Italian] Plaintive, mournful.
  • aeolian A mode used in Gregorian chant based upon the sixth tone of the major scale. In the key of C, the aeolian mode would be based on A, and would include A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
  • calmando [Italian] Getting calm or quiet.
  • ragtime Late nineteenth century piano style created by African-Americans, characterized by highly syncopated melodies.
  • pastorale [Italian] Pastoral, country-like.
  • con malinconia [Italian] With melancholy.