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

  • prologue The introduction or preface to a dramatic work. The prologue usually tells the audience the background to the story about to be presented.
  • gaudioso [Italian] Joyous, joyful.
  • replica [Italian] Repetition.
  • chromatic scale A scale consisting of all 12 semitones.
  • appoggiatura [Italian] Ornamental note, usually taking half of the duration of the main note it precedes.
  • monophony Music that is written for only one voice or part.
  • volando [Italian] Flying.
  • church mode A term used for the categories of modes used in Gregorian chant.
  • varsovienne [French] A French dance in 3/4 time with a moderate tempo.
  • armonioso [Italian] Harmonious, pleasant-sounding.
  • quadruple counterpoint Counterpoint in four parts.
  • sonata-rondò [Italian] A form of a composition that displays characteristics of both the rondò and the sonata forms.
  • werden [German] To become.
  • piccolo [Italian] Literally, “small”. A small flute that sounds an octave above the regular flute, and also an octave above its written music.
  • cupo [Italian] Dark, obscure.