Free Music Glossary

K

• K Either Köchel or Kirkpatrick.
• kaanon See canon.
• kadens See cadence.
• kadenssi See cadence.
• Kadenz See cadence.
• kahdeksasosanuotti See eight note.
• kaksoisalennusmerkki See double flat.
• kaksoistempo See duple meter.
• kaksoistrilli See double trill.
• kaksoisylennysmerkki See double sharp.
• Kammer Chamber, room.
• Kammermusik See chamber music.
• Kammerton Literally, “Chamber pitch”. The pitch system used for instruments in Germany during the baroque period. In this system, the A above middle C was probably about 410–425 Hz.
• Kanon See canon.
• kansallislaulu See national anthem.
• Kantor Music director of a Lutheran church, and usually the director of music at a school or institution attached to the church as well.
• Kantorei The musicians of a Protestant German court.
• käsinkirjoitettu nuotti See autograph.
• Kavatine See cavatina.
• käyden See andante.
• kenraalibasso See thorough bass.
• kenraalitauko See Generalpause.
• kerktoonladder See church mode.
• kertosäe See refrain.
• keski-C See middle C.
• keskisävelviritys See meantone temperament.
• kesto See duration.
• key See tonality.
• key On a woodwind instrument, the keys are the metal disks that close or open soundholes by means of levers operated by the performer's fingers.
• key signature The sharps or flats appearing at the beginning of each staff indicating the key of the music.
• keynote See tonic.
• kiertoilmahengitys See circular breathing.
• kiihdyttäen See accelerando.
• Kirchenmusik See sacred music.
• Kirchentonart See church mode.
• Kirkpatrick numbers The numbering system identifying compositions by Domenico Scarlatti.
• Kk. See Kirkpatrick numbers.
• Klammer See brace.
• Klang Sound, tune, ringing, sonority.
• klav See clef.
• Klavier A keyboard instrument; usually, a piano.
• klein Literally, “little”. In reference to intervals, “minor“.
• klingen To resonate.
• klucht See farce.
• Köchel Verzeichnis The numbering system identifying compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• koda See coda.
• kokoaskel See whole tone.
• kokonuotti See whole note.
• kolmijakoinen See triple meter.
• Komma See comma.
• konsert See concerto.
• konsertto See concerto.
• Kontrapunkt See counterpoint.
• Kontratenor See countertenor.
• kontratenori See countertenor.
• Konzert See concert.
• Konzertmeister See concertmaster.
• Konzertstück An informal “concert piece”, usually in one movement, for solo instruments and orchestra.
• kooda See coda.
• kor See choir.
• koraal See chorale.
• koral See chorale.
• korotusmerkki See sharp.
• korsförtecken See sharp.
• koru See ornament.
• korukuvio See mordent.
• korukuvio See turn.
• krakoviak A syncopated Polish dance in 2/4 time.
• krakowiak See krakoviak.
• Kreisatmung See circular breathing.
• Kreuz See sharp.
• kromaattinen See chromatic.
• kromatisk See chromatic.
• kruis See sharp.
• kryds See sharp.
• kurzer Vorschlag See acciaccatura.
• kuudeskymmenesneljäsosanuotti See sixty-fourth note.
• kuudestoistaosanuotti See sixteenth note.
• KV See Köchel Verzeichnis.
• kvart See fourth.
• kvartol See quadruplet.
• kvartoli See quadruplet.
• kvartti See fourth.
• kvint See fifth.
• kvintti See fifth.
• kwart See fourth.
• kwartool See quadruplet.
• kwint See fifth.
• kyrkotonart See church mode.