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

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

  • Kantorei [German] The musicians of a Protestant German court.
  • interlude Any piece of music played or sung between the movements of a larger composition.
  • adagio [Italian] A slow tempo marking, usually around 66–76 BPM.
  • bas [French] Low in pitch.
  • recitativo secco [Italian] Recitative accompanied only by continuo.
  • semitone The interval of a minor second.
  • ravvivando [Italian] Animating, brightening up; quickening.
  • chaconne [French] Baroque form in 3/4 time similar to the passacaglia, in which the variations are based on a repeated chord progression.
  • Ländler [German] A folk dance in 3/4 time which was popular in Austria, south Germany and German Switzerland at the end of the 18th century.
  • rhythm section In a popular music band or ensemble, the performers who establish the rhythmic pulse of a song or musical piece, and who lay down the chordal structure.
  • libero [Italian] Literally, “free”. A directive to perform in a free, unrestrained style.
  • repercussion The frequent repetition of the same sound. Also, the re-entrance of the subject and answer in a fugue following other material.
  • toujours [French] Always.
  • fugato [Italian] In the style of a fugue.
  • choir A group of singers who perform together, usually in parts, with several on each part.