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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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

  • vaudeville [French] A variety show with unrelated acts consisting of stand-up comedy, virtuoso instrumental and vocal performance, and song and dance acts.
  • trio sonata [Italian] A baroque sonata for two treble instruments and continuo, generally requiring four performers.
  • difference tone A lower tone that is heard when two higher notes are played in such a way that the frequency of the difference tone is the difference of the frequencies of the other two notes.
  • opéra comique [French] French comic opera that is not necessarily sung throughout.
  • brace A symbol that looks like an archer's bow, used to connect two or more different staves that are to be played at the same time by the same instrument (e.g. a piano, a organ or a harp). This should not be confused with the bracket, that provides a visual connection between independent parts of a system.
  • Requiem [Latin] A composition to honor the deceased.
  • inflection Small alteration of the pitch by a microtonal interval.
  • forte [Italian] “Loud”.
  • inline G On a flute, the standard position of the left-hand G (third-finger) key: in line with the first and second keys.
  • quarter note A note having the time duration of one fourth of a whole note.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.
  • Handel-Werke-Verzeichnis [German] The numbering system identifying compositions by George Frederic Handel.
  • Schottische [German] A German round dance in duple time.
  • oral tradition Music that is transmitted by example or imitation and performed from memory.
  • accompaniment Additional but subordinate music used to support a melodic line. Also, the art of playing along with a soloist or ensemble in a supporting manner.