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

  • oral tradition Music that is transmitted by example or imitation and performed from memory.
  • tempestoso [Italian] Stormy.
  • tarantella [Italian] A fast Italian dance in 6/8 time, characterized by alternations between major and minor tonalities and a quickening of tempo throughout the composition.
  • terzetto [Italian] A three-voice compositional form of the 18th century, usually short, which may or may not be accompanied.
  • Lombard rhythm A rhythm associated primarily with baroque music, generally consisting of a stressed sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note.
  • canto [Italian] Literally, “singing”. The highest vocal part in choral music.
  • pivot [French] A chord that is placed in a transition between two keys, serving a different function in each key and providing smooth movement between them.
  • strophic form Song structure in which every stanza of the text is sung to the same musical tune.
  • con grazia [Italian] “With grace”.
  • con forza [Italian] “With force”, vigorously.
  • flute A woodwind instrument that is held horizontally and sounded by blowing across the mouthpiece of the instrument.
  • medley A piece of music that is composed of melodies of other compositons strung together.
  • choir A group of singers who perform together, usually in parts, with several on each part.
  • minimalist music Contemporary musical style featuring the repetition of short melodic, rhythmic and harmonic patterns with little variation.
  • spiritoso [Italian] Spirited, lively.