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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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

  • volta subito [Italian] A directive to turn the page quickly.
  • quieto [Italian] Calm, serene.
  • rhythm section In a popular music band or ensemble, the performers who establish the rhythmic pulse of a song or musical piece, and who lay down the chordal structure.
  • comic opera A sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.
  • mais [French] “But”.
  • intonation A term referring to the proper production of a tone so that it is exactly in tune.
  • ragtime Late nineteenth century piano style created by African-Americans, characterized by highly syncopated melodies.
  • leggerissimo [Italian] Very light, very delicate.
  • marcato [Italian] Marked, accented, emphasized, stressed.
  • modal Having to do with modes; this term is applied most particularly to music that is based upon the Gregorian modes, rather than to music based upon the major, minor, or any other scale.
  • a cappella [Italian] Choral or vocal music performed without instrumental accompaniment.
  • duplet A group of two notes played in the time usually taken to play three.
  • second The interval between two neighbouring tones of a scale. Since a diatonic scale consists of alternating semitones and whole tones, the size of a second depends on the scale degrees in question.
  • riser A metal section on the head joint of a flute, shaped like a ‛top hat with the top cut off’, which raises the lip plate from the head joint tube.
  • Übung [German] Exercise.