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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Some random terms

  • waltz Ballroom dance type in triple meter; in the Romantic era, a short, stylized piano piece.
  • sforzando [Italian] Literally, “forcing”. Dynamic marking indicating a strong, sudden accent.
  • largamente [Italian] With a broad, full sound.
  • toccata [Italian] Virtuoso composition, generally for organ or harpsichord, in a free and rhapsodic style; in the Baroque, it often served as the introduction to a fugue.
  • syllabic The style of chant which sets one note to each syllable of text.
  • sextuple meter Compound metrical pattern that consists of six beats to every measure.
  • giubiloso [Italian] Jubilant.
  • fine [Italian] Literally, “end”. An indication of where a composition ends when there is a repeat.
  • con disperazione [Italian] Desperately.
  • doucement [French] Softly.
  • prelude An instrumental composition intended to introduce a larger composition or a set of compositions.
  • lentissimo [Italian] Very slow.
  • art music Music implying advanced structural and theoretical considerations and a written musical tradition. It is frequently used as a contrasting term to popular music and folk music.
  • attack The method of beginning a phrase.
  • dance Any physical movements done to music.