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

  • monothematic Work or movement based on a single theme.
  • jarabe [Spanish] Traditional Mexican dance form with multiple sections in contrasting meters and tempos.
  • woodwind quintet Standard chamber ensemble consisting of one each of the following: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn (not a woodwind instrument).
  • musique concrète [French] Music made up of natural sounds and sound effects that are recorded and then manipulated electronically.
  • sharp An accidental symbol that raises the pitch of a note by a semitone.
  • vocalese A style or genre of jazz singing wherein lyrics are written for melodies that were originally part of an all-instrumental composition or improvisation.
  • basse dance [French] A graceful, stately court dance of the early Renaissance.
  • quartet A piece for four singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
  • energico [Italian] With energy, vigorous.
  • dynamics The softness or loudness of a sound or note.
  • negligente [Italian] “Negligent”, unrestrained.
  • septet A piece for seven singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
  • new wave Subgenre of rock popular since the late 1970s, highly influenced by simple 1950s-style rock and roll; developed as a rejection of the complexities of art rock and heavy metal.
  • madrigal choir Small vocal ensemble that specializes in a cappella secular works.
  • intonation A term referring to the proper production of a tone so that it is exactly in tune.