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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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

  • performance directions Words or symbols provided by composers to instruct performers in how their music is to be played, including articulation, dynamics, expression, and phrasing.
  • dopo [Italian] “After”.
  • sinfonietta [Italian] An orchestral work of smaller proportions than a full symphony.
  • interpretation The manner in which a performer carries out a composer's performance directions.
  • Köchel Verzeichnis [German] The numbering system identifying compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
  • a due [Italian] For two voices or instruments; a duet. Also used to indicate that two instruments playing from the same part or score are to play in unison, after divisi or a solo passage for one of the instruments.
  • chromatic Any music or chord that contains notes not belonging to the diatonic scale.
  • early music European music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque.
  • morbidezza [Italian] Softness, tenderness.
  • leise [German] Quiet.
  • spianato [Italian] leveled, even, smooth.
  • time signature A symbol placed at the left side of the staff indicating the meter of the composition.
  • pochettino [Italian] A little bit.
  • Leben [German] Life, vivacity.
  • calma [Italian] Calm.