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

  • allegro [Italian] Literally, “cheerful”. A quick tempo marking, usually around 120–168 BPM.
  • lullaby A cradle song. A song sung to a child to soothe him to sleep or a gentle, quiet song.
  • compound harmony Regular harmony with an added octave in the bass.
  • remote keys Those keys that have few notes in common. The key of C and the key of F sharp would be considered remote.
  • system The collection of staves, two or more, as used for writing down of keyboard, chamber, choral, or orchestral music.
  • trio [Italian] A composition for three performers.
  • all'ottava [Italian] Literally, “at the octave”. Directive to perform an indicated passage of a composition one octave higher than notated. Typically, this is indicated by an “8va” or “8” over the passage followed by a dotted line over the top of all the notes to be transposed.
  • passamezzo [Italian] A 16th and 17th century Italian dance similar to or identical to the pavane.
  • monotone A single sustained, unvarying tone, or a succession of notes of the same tone. Often used in the recitation of liturgical texts.
  • break In the flute or other wind instrument, the place between the lower register of the instrument and the higher. For example, the break on the flute is between C-sharp and D.
  • quadruple meter Metrical pattern with four beats to a measure.
  • middle C First C below the 440 Hz A. It is the note on the ledger line halfway between the bass and treble clef on the grand staff. It is the lowest C that a concert flute can make.
  • rondellus [Latin] A 13th century English style of three-voice composition.
  • modulation Moving from one key to another.
  • brioso [Italian] Vivacious, spirited, lively.