Multilingual Music Glossary

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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

  • raddolcendo [Italian] Growing sweeter and calmer.
  • dorian A mode used in Gregorian chant based upon the second tone of the major scale. In the key of C, the Dorian mode would be based on D, and would include D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D.
  • anacrusis One or more unstressed notes preceding the first downbeat in a bar.
  • tonality The organization of a composition around a tonic.
  • vivace [Italian] A fast tempo marking, usually around 140 BPM.
  • seventh An interval of seven diatonic degrees, counting the first and last degree.
  • march A military piece characterized by strongly accented duple meter and clear sectional structures.
  • con passione [Italian] “With passion”.
  • fundamental The base note upon which a chord is built.
  • art song A vocal music composition, usually written for one singer with piano or orchestral accompaniment.
  • cantando [Italian] Singing.
  • rubato [Italian] “Robbed” time; the subtle pressing forward and holding back the tempo in performance.
  • tempo giusto [Italian] A directive to perform in exact, strict time.
  • misterioso [Italian] Mysterious.
  • Schleppend [German] Dragging.