Multilingual Music Glossary
Q
- Quadrat
See natural.
- quadriglia
See quadrille.
- quadrille
An early 19th century ballroom dance for four or more couples.
- quadruple counterpoint Counterpoint in four parts.
- quadruple croche
See sixty-fourth note.
- quadruple meter Metrical pattern with four beats to a measure.
- quadruplet A group of four notes played in the time usually taken to play six.
- quadruplum
Polyphony having four voices. Also, the highest of these voices.
- quarta
See fourth.
- quartal harmony Harmony based on the interval of the fourth as opposed to a third; used in twentieth century music.
- quarte
See fourth.
- quarter note A note having the time duration of one fourth of a whole note.
- quarter tone Half a semitone.
- quartet A piece for four singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
- quartetto
See quartet.
- quartetto d'archi
See string quartet.
- quartina
See quadruplet.
- quarto
See quarter note.
- Quartole
See quadruplet.
- quartolet
See quadruplet.
- quasi
“Almost”.
- quatuor
See quartet.
- quaver See eight note.
- Querflöte
See flute.
- quickstep A dance popular in the 1920s in duple meter. Also, a fast march.
- quieto
Calm, serene.
- quindicesima
See 15ma.
- quinta
See fifth.
- quinte
See fifth.
- quintet A piece for five singers or instrumentalists. Also, a group of such musicians.
- quintetto d'archi
See string quintet.
- quintus
Term used in the 16th century for the fifth voice in a composition having five or more vocal parts. Sometimes it was a countermelody added on top of the usual four voices.
- quodlibet
A humorous composition that contains snatches of popular melodies and texts presented concurrently or consecutively.