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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Some random terms

  • dissonance Any interval or chord that sounds impure, harsh, or unstable.
  • spianato [Italian] leveled, even, smooth.
  • Minnesang [German] A tradition of Medieval courtly and secular music in Germany, cultivated by the nobility. The main focus of the music of this tradition was the idea of Minnedienst, servitude to love, often illustrated as the devoted knight entirely loyal to an unattainable lady with no hope of her love in return.
  • verve [French] A high degree of energy, excitement or spirit. Often referred to as the artistic inspiration and special feeling of excitement that is used by artists to realize the expression of ideas in performance or composition.
  • pop Term born as an abbreviation of popular music, that since the 1950s has been used in the sense of a musical genre, originally characterized as a lighter alternative to rock and roll.
  • sonoro [Italian] Resounding.
  • crossover Recording or artist that appeals primarily to one audience but becomes popular with another as well.
  • con brio [Italian] With vivacity or spirit.
  • anacrusis One or more unstressed notes preceding the first downbeat in a bar.
  • stentando [Italian] Literally, “having difficulty”. A directive to perform in an ungraceful, heavy manner, holding back each note.
  • subito [Italian] At once, immediately.
  • common chord A chord consisting of the root, third, and fifth.
  • pianoforte [Italian] A dynamic marking (fp) directing the performer to attack the written note at the dynamic level of piano (soft) followed by an immediate increase in volume to forte (loud).
  • tutti [Italian] “All”. A directive to perform with all instruments together.
  • quarter note A note having the time duration of one fourth of a whole note.