Multilingual 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.