Free Music Glossary

O

• obbligato Literally, “obligatory”. Important part of a music that that should not be omitted.
• ober Upper, higher.
• oblique motion In part-writing, term used when one voice (or more) remains on the same pitch while the other ascends or descends.
• octave Interval between two tones seven diatonic pitches apart; the upper tone vibrates twice as fast as the lower one.
• ode A composition written in commemoration and celebration of a particular event, object, or person. Especially popular in England.
• œuvre See opus.
• off-beat A rhythm that emphasizes the weak beats of a bar.
• offset G On a flute, a G key which is extended to the side of the other two left-hand finger keys (along with the G♯ key), thus requiring less bending of the wrist, rendering it easier to reach and cover effectively, and less uncomfortable and fatiguing to play.
• ohne “Without”.
• Oktave See octave.
• omkering See inversion.
• omkvæd See refrain.
• omkved See refrain.
• omofonia See homophony.
• omvändning See inversion.
• one hundred and twenty-eighth note A note having the time duration of one hundred twenty-eighth of the time duration of a whole note.
• Op. See opus.
• open fifth A chord comprised of the tonic and the fifth, with no third present.
• open-hole A flute finger key with a perforated center, allowing the use of techniques such as pitch bending or glissando.
• opera A drama set to music, usually sung throughout, originating in 17th-century Italy.
• opera buffa See comic opera.
• opera comica See comic opera.
• opéra comique French comic opera that is not necessarily sung throughout.
• opera seria Italian opera of the 18th and 19th centuries that was either heroic or tragic.
• operetta A less serious form of opera made up of spoken dialog, songs and dances.
• opløsningstegn See natural.
• Opp. Plural of Op.
• opus A number, often assigned by a publisher, used to classify a particular work of a composer.
• oral tradition Music that is transmitted by example or imitation and performed from memory.
• oral transmission Preservation of music without the aid of written notation.
• oratorio Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action.
• orchestra An instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large, with string, brass, woodwind sections, and possibly a percussion section as well.
• orchestration The practice of writing music for an orchestra (or, more loosely, for any musical ensemble) or of adapting for orchestra music composed for another medium.
• ordre See suite.
• organ point See drone.
• ornament Musical flourishes that are not necessary to carry the overall line of the melody (or harmony), but serve instead to decorate or “ornament” that line. Many ornaments are performed as fast notes around a central note.
• ornement See ornament.
• osa See movement.
• ossia An alternative version of a music, usually only a few measures long and marked as an added staff.
• ostinato Literally, “obstinate”. A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout a composition.
• ottava See octave.
• ottavino See piccolo.
• ottavo See eight note.
• ottendedelsnode See eight note.
• oude muziek See early music.
• outer voices The highest and the lowest voices in a polyphonic composition.
• overbinding See tie.
• överbindning See tie.
• overblowing A technique employed by woodwind players (flute players in particular) in which the player directs the flow of air to obtain a harmonic tone other than the fundamental.
• overtone A constituent frequency of a sound other than the fundamental frequency.
• overture An introductory movement, as in an opera or oratorio, often presenting melodies from arias to come. Also an orchestral work for concert performance.