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

  • voce piena [Italian] “Full voice”.
  • poco a poco [Italian] Little by little.
  • split E mechanism On a flute, a system whereby the second G key (positioned below the G♯ key) is closed when the right middle-finger key is depressed, enabling a clearer third octave E; standard on most flutes, but omitted from many intermediate- and professional-grade flutes, as it can reduce the tonal quality of 3rd octave F♯.
  • isorhythmic motet Medieval and early Renaissance motet based on a repeating rhythmic pattern throughout one or more voices.
  • comma [Italian] Difference in pitch between a note derived from pure tuning and the same note derived from some other tuning method.
  • retrograde Backward statement of a melody.
  • oral tradition Music that is transmitted by example or imitation and performed from memory.
  • concert A public musical performance.
  • fandango [Spanish] A lively folk and flamenco couple-dance, usually in triple meter, traditionally accompanied by guitars and castanets or hand-clapping.
  • roulade [French] A highly ornamented vocal composition, usually for one voice and accompaniment.
  • fingering The methodical use of fingers in the playing of instruments.
  • serioso [Italian] Serious, grave.
  • music Broadly speaking, sounds organized to express a wide variety of human emotions.
  • monody Term applied to Italian songs written to be performed by one voice with instrumental accompaniment dating from the first half of the 17th century.
  • fortissimo [Italian] Very loud, louder than forte.