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

  • étude [French] Study piece that focuses on a particular technical problem.
  • Handel-Werke-Verzeichnis [German] The numbering system identifying compositions by George Frederic Handel.
  • neoromantic A compositional style of the 20th century embodying the techniques and characteristics of the romantic period.
  • frequency Rate of vibration of a string or column of air, which determines pitch. Usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
  • mambo [Spanish] Dance of Afro-Cuban origin with a characteristic quadruple-meter rhythmic pattern.
  • opera A drama set to music, usually sung throughout, originating in 17th-century Italy.
  • tiento [Spanish] A Spanish Renaissance composition resembling the ricercare or the fantasia.
  • sanft [German] Soft, mild, smooth.
  • white noise Sounds containing every audible frequency at approximately the same intensity.
  • branle [French] Quick French group dance of the Renaissance.
  • alt [German] Term used to indicate the tones of the first octave above the treble staff (G5 to F6), which are said to be “in alt”.
  • MIDI Acronym for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”; technology standard that allows networking of computers with electronic musical instruments.
  • fortissimo-piano [Italian] A dynamic marking (ffp) indicating that the marked note should be attacked very loudly, instantly diminishing to a much softer volume.
  • incalzando [Italian] In a pressing or chasing manner.
  • labium [Latin] Literally, “lip”. The part of an edge-blown aerophone (such as a flute, recorder or whistle) that splits the air column.