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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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

  • additive meter A pattern of beats that subdivide into smaller, irregular groups. It is common in Eastern European musics, and contemporary compositions attempting to emulate such a sound. For example, a time signature like 9/8, which is normally subdivided as 3+3+3, may be subdivided by the composer as 2+3+2+2 for musical effect.
  • adagissimo [Italian] An extremely slow tempo marking, slower than adagio.
  • basse dance [French] A graceful, stately court dance of the early Renaissance.
  • septet A piece for seven singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
  • consonant A chord (or an interval) that is pleasing and harmonious to the ear.
  • encore [French] “Again”.
  • rounded binary Compositional form with two sections, in which the second ends with a return to material from the first; each section is usually repeated.
  • zart [German] Tender, delicate.
  • 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.
  • tenuto [Italian] A directive to perform a certain note or chord of a composition in a sustained manner for longer than its full duration.
  • pointed arms On a flute, arms connecting the keys to the rods which are pointed and extend to the keys' centers; found on more expensive flutes.
  • sottovoce [Italian] Almost whispering.
  • thirty-second note A note having the time duration of one thirty-second of a whole note.
  • adirato [Italian] Angry, wrathful.
  • jive A form of blues popular in the 1940s.