Free Music Glossary

L

• L See Longo numbers.
• L.P. See Generalpause.
• l.v. See laisser vibrer.
• l'istesso tempo Literally, “the same tempo”. An indication that directs that the beat remains constant when the meter changes.
• la volta See volte.
• labium Literally, “lip”. The part of an edge-blown aerophone (such as a flute, recorder or whistle) that splits the air column.
• lacrimoso Tearful.
• lage See ambitus.
• lagrimoso See lacrimoso.
• lai A song form composed in northern Europe, mainly France and Germany, from the 13th to the late 14th century.
• laisser vibrer A directive to the performer of a harp, piano, cymbal, or other struck or plucked instrument that the sound should not be damped or stopped after the initial attack, but should be allowed to die away naturally.
• lament A song of mourning the dead or of leave-taking. The funeral lament is one of the most common, dating back to antiquity.
• lamentevole Plaintive, mournful.
• lamento See lament.
• lamentoso Like a lament, plaintive.
• Ländler A folk dance in 3/4 time which was popular in Austria, south Germany and German Switzerland at the end of the 18th century.
• Länge See duration.
• langsam See adagio.
• langsamer werden See rallentando.
• languendo Languishing.
• largamente With a broad, full sound.
• large See largo.
• larghetto A tempo not quite as slow as largo, usually around 60–66 BPM.
• larghissimo An extremely slow tempo, slower than largo.
• largo A slow and solemn tempo marking, usually around 40–60 BPM.
• larigot A shepherd's flute or pipe.
• larynx The upper part of the trachea in the human throat. It is the mechanism that varies the tone of the voice.
• lascia vibrare See laisser vibrer.
• lauda Laud, hymn of praise.
• laut See forte.
• lauter werden See crescendo.
• lavolta See volte.
• leader See concertmaster.
• leading note The major seventh of a scale, so called because it lies a semitone below the tonic and “leads” towards it.
• leaning note See appoggiatura.
• leaning tone See leading note.
• leap Any movement from one note to another through means of an interval that is greater than a second.
• Leben Life, vivacity.
• lebhaft Lively.
• ledetone See leading note.
• ledger line Short, horizontal line added to the top or the bottom of a staff for the reception of a note too high or too low to be represented on the staff.
• ledton See leading note.
• legatissimo Very legato, extremely smooth and connected.
• legato Literally, “tied together”. A directive to perform a certain passage in a smooth, connected style. It is usually indicated by a slur over the affected notes.
• Legatobogen See slur.
• legatura See slur.
• legatura See tie.
• légèrement Lightly.
• legg. See leggiero.
• leggerissimo Very light, very delicate.
• leggero See leggiero.
• leggiero Light, delicate.
• legni See woodwind.
• Leich See lai.
• Leichen-musik Funeral music.
• leidtoon See leading note.
• leise Quiet.
• Leitmotiv A term adopted by Wagner's disciples to designate the “leading motives” in his operas.
• Leitton See leading note.
• lengte See duration.
• lent Slow.
• lentamente Slowly.
• lentement Slowly.
• lenteur “Slowness”.
• lentezza “Slowness”.
• lentissimo Very slow.
• lento Slow.
• lesto Quick, swift.
• letra See lyrics.
• leveästi See largo.
• liaison See slur.
• liaison See tie.
• libero Literally, “free”. A directive to perform in a free, unrestrained style.
• libretto A “little book” that contains the complete text of an opera, oratorio, and so forth.
• licenza A directive to perform a certain passage with some freedom of manner.
• lié See legato.
• lieblich Charming, lovely.
• Lied (Plural: Lieder.) Literally, “song”; most commonly associated with the solo art song of the nineteenth century, usually accompanied by piano.
• Lieder See Lied.
• liedtekst See lyrics.
• Liedtext See lyrics.
• ligadura See tie.
• ligesvævende temperatur See equal temperament.
• ligne See line.
• ligne supplémentaire See ledger line.
• liksvävande temperatur See equal temperament.
• line A general term for a discrete voice or part in a vocal or instrumental composition.
• linea See line.
• línea adicional See ledger line.
• lip plate The part of a flute which contacts the player's lower lip, allowing precise positioning and direction of the air stream.
• litania See litany.
• litany A prayer or processional of supplication to God, to Mary, or to the saints in which the priest or deacon chants the supplication and the congregation responds with “Ora pro nobis”, “Kyrie eleison”, etc.
• liturgy In those churches that use standard written forms of services, the ritual or service of public worship.
• llave See brace.
• lo stesso tempo See l'istesso tempo.
• loco A directive to play in the normal playing position; it cancels any previous direction to play in an unusual position, like all'ottava.
• locrian A mode based upon the seventh tone of the major scale.
• loin See lointain.
• lointain “Distant”, “faraway”.
• Lombard rhythm A rhythm associated primarily with baroque music, generally consisting of a stressed sixteenth note followed by a dotted eighth note.
• Lombardic rhythm See Lombard rhythm.
• long pause See Generalpause.
• Longo numbers A numbering system identifying keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti.
• lontano See lointain.
• lopuke See cadence.
• lourd See pesante.
• loure A slow, dignified French dance of the 17th and 18th centuries usually in 3/4 or 6/4 time.
• Luftpause See breath mark.
• lullaby A cradle song. A song sung to a child to soothe him to sleep or a gentle, quiet song.
• lunga pausa See Generalpause.
• lusingando Caressing, flattering.
• lustig See allegro.
• luttuoso Mournful.
• lydian The church mode based on F, containing the notes of the C major scale, yet using F as the tonic.
• lyric opera Hybrid form combining elements of grand opera and opéra comique and featuring appealing melodies and romantic drama.
• lyrics The words of a song.