A
This glossary documents terms found in the documentation for Music.
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
AA
Note of the scale. A440 (440 cycles per second) is commonly used for tuning the orchestra. Also, an analytical term for the first section of a piece.
abend (Ger.)
Evening.
abendlied (Ger.)
Evening song.
AAA
Music composed simply as music, with no references to emotions, stories, paintings or any other non-musical subject.
absolute music
absolute pitch\Perfect pitch. The ability to recognize or recall any note.
abstract music
Same as absolute music.
accelerando (It.)
Getting gradually quicker.
accent
Emphasizing a musical sound or note by playing it slightly louder.
acciaccatura (It.)
A crushed dissonant note of the shortest possible duration played before or after the main note or chord and immediately released.
accidental
In music notation, a temporary alteration to a particular note, raising it or lowering from its normal pitch only to the bar in which the accidental occurs. It is indicated by a sharp, flat, double sharp, double flat or natural sign preceding a particular note.
accompaniment
Harmonic or melodic support to the principal melody in music. It is often made up of decorative or textural music, or sometimes simple chords. The accompaniment often comes to the forefront of the music, but its role is essentially to be supportive.
acoustics
The sound qualities of a listening space, such as a concert hall or theatre. The factors affecting acoustics have been studied by scientists and engineers who have tried to document the variables that contribute to satisfying sound for both the performing musicians and the audience. This developing science, working with things such as the dimensions and construction materials of a structure, has been used with varying success in the design of new concert halls.
adagio (It.)
Slow speed. Often used as the title of a slow movement in Sonatas and similar pieces of music.
a deux cordes (Fr.), a due corde (It.)
On two strings.
ad lib
Play a passage with freedom as to rhythm and tempo.
affettuoso (It.)
With feeling.
agitato (It.)
Restless and wild.
agogic
Used of deviations from the strict tempo and rhythm necessary for the subtle performance of a musical phrase.
air
A simple tune for voice or instrument.
alberti bass
A keyboard moving figuration for the left hand using simple arpeggio treatment of a series of chords. This was much used by 18th and early 19th century composers.
aleatoric music
Music containing chance or random elements. A trend since 1945 with composers like John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
al fine (It.)
To the end.
alla (It.)
To the, at the, in the manner of.
alla breve (It.)
Take the half note as the main unit, not the quarter note (e.g. 2/2 instead of 4/4).
allargando (It.)
Getting broader.
alla turca (It.)
In the Turkish style (e.g. Mozart's Rondo alla turca).
alla zingarese (It.)
In the style of gypsy music.
allegretto (It.)
Slower than allegro.
allegro (It.)
Fast and lively.
Allegro non troppo
Fast but not too fast.
allemande (Fr.)
(1) A moderately slow dance movement often opening the Baroque suite in 4/4 time. (2) A brisk dance in triple time current in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A prototype of the waltz.
antiphon (Gk.)
The plainsong setting of sacred words sung as responses in Roman Catholic or Greek orthodox services. The term antiphonal derives from the practice of alternating performances between sets of singers stationed apart.
appassionato (It.)
Impassioned.
appoggiatura (It.)
A musical ornament (chiefly 18th century) of an auxiliary note falling or rising to a harmonised note. It can be written or unwritten.
arabesque (Fr. and Eng.), arabeske (Ger.)
A short piece with decorative qualities (e.g. Debussy, Arabesques).
aria (It.)
Air or song for one or more voices found in opera and oratorio. A da capo aria is one in which the first section is finally repeated after a contrasting section.
arietta (It.)
A little or light aria.
arioso (It.)
Similar to an aria.
arpeggio (It.)
A chord performed with the notes separated.
arrangement
A re-write of an existing piece of music into a different style or combination of instruments\voices.
atonal
Music which is composed without reference to a key (e.g. major, minor or modal). All the expected devices for musical composition, such as melody, chords, rhythm, can be used. However, other methods of tonal organization (including mathematical patterns) are used.
attacca (It.)
Go on to the next section without a repeat.
augmentation
The lengthening (e.g. doubling) of note time values. The melody may be made of the same pitches, for example, but with longer time values, has a different musical and emotional effect.
ayre
A song for one or several voices in 17th century >Transfer interrupted!
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B
Note of the scalebadinage or badinerie (Fr., 'playfulness')
This term was used as a title movement in quick 2/4 time in the 18th century suite (e.g. Bach's Suite in B minor for flute and strings.bagatelle (Fr., 'trifle')
Usually a short and light piano piece. Beethoven wrote 26 (e.g. Fur Elise).ballad
A traditional solo song telling a story with music repeated for each verse. In the l9th century the term came to mean a rather sentimental drawing- room song. However, it may also be applied to a self-contained narrative song (e.g. Schubert's Erlkonig or to operatic arias (e.g. Senta's Song from The Flying Dutchman by Wagner. It describes a sentimental song in jazz.ballade
Chopin's term for a long, dramatic piano piece suggesting a story. His Four Ballades are inspired by the poems of Mickiewicz. Brahms, Grieg, Liszt and others later used the title.bar
The metrical division of music into groups of beats, and marked by vertical barlines drawn across the musical staff. Also known as 'measure'. Its main purposes are to indicate the placement of rhythmic emphasis and to be a visual aid to musicians. A double bar (two vertical lines close together) indicates the end of a piece, or section.barcarolle (Fr. from It.)
A song or piece of instrumental music in a swaying 6/8 or 12/8 time associated with the Venetian gondoliers.baritone
Male voice between bass and tenor with a range of two octaves from G (on bottom line bass clef) to G (above middle C). The term is also a prefix for instruments indicating the range below the tenor type (e.g. baritone saxophone.baroque
The musical period approximately between 1600 and 1750 encompassing composers such as Monteverdi, Frescobaldi and Gabrieli (early baroque) and Bach and Handel (late baroque). It is characterized by elaborate treatment of melody in polyphonic style.bass
Bass can refer to the lowest sounding male voice, or the largest bowed string instrument. Generally, it refers to music written in the low range of notes and notated in the Bass Clef. In piano music, this means the lower part of the keyboard played by the left hand.basso (It., 'bass')
Basso cantanle describes a lyrical singing voice; basso conlinuo is the same as continuo and basso ostinato is the same as ground bass.berceuse (Fr., 'bercer' to rock)
An instrumental cradle song or lullaby in compound duple time (e.g. Chopin's Berceuse).bergamasque (Fr.), bergamasca (It.), bergomask (Eng.)
A peasant's dance from Bergamo, north Italy, with 2 beats to the bar. Composers have used the term in titles, (e.g. Debussy's Suite Bergamasque).binary form
A simple composition in two balanced sections. After beginning in one key, the first section shifts to some other related key. The second section, in the new key, then works its way back to the original key. If the original key is a minor one, then the flrst section ends with the relative major. Such compositions are usually short.bitonality
A 20th century concept of using two keys simultaneously, evident in Stravinsky's music.bolero (Sp.)
A Spanish dance performed to the dancers' singing with castanets in simple triple time.bourree (Fr.)
A popular fast dance of the 18th and l9th centuries. It began with an upbeat, had two beats to the bar and was often found in dance suites.brace
The line with bracket joining two staves in piano music.bravura (It.)
A display of a musical passage requiring great virtuosity by the performer.brillant (Fr.), brillante (It.)
Brilliant. Usually a direction for solo performers.broken chord
A chord in which notes are sounded one after the other, rather than all together.broken octaves
Alternate notes played an octave apart, frequently used in piano music.
C
Note of the scalecadence
A progression of chords in music designed to produce a closing effect, such as at the end of phrases, sections or the composition. Over the years, some chord progressions have come to be known as a standard cadences.cadenza (It.)C
A solo passage before the final cadence, generally occurring in the first or last movement in the classical concerto. It suggests improvisation of the main themes and a display of the soloist's virtuosity. However, Mozart and other composers since have taken no chances with the performer's improvisational skills and have written out their cadenzas in a style that matched the concerto.canon
A contrapuntal work in which a melody, stated by one voice (or part) is repeated by one or more voices in turn, each entering before the previous part has finished. This results in overlapping, similar to a type of music called the Round (e.g. Frere Jacques), but more formal and complex in construction. Although canons can be performed by a group of singers or instrumentalists, solo piano music can imitate many voices.cantabile (It.)
In a singing style.cantata (It.)
Generally a vocal composition with instrumental accompaniment telling a story by means of arias and recitatives. In the 17th and 18th centuries two types existed: cantata da camera which was secular and cantata da chiesa which was suitable for church. Writers of this period included Schutz and J.S. Bach who made the cantata more theatrical with the use of choruses, chorales and strings. In the 19th century the term described short narrative choral works accompanied by full-scale orchestra with arias, recitatives and soloists. Modern writers include Bartok, Stravinsky and Britten.cantilena (It. )
A smooth Iyrical melody line.canzona (It., 'song')
A short, fairly polyphonic instrumental piece popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 18th century, Canzoni referred to short arias and similar short Iyrical instrumental pieces.capriccio (It.), caprice (Fr.)
A short, light and lively pieces. In the 17th century, the term referred to keyboard works in bright, fugal style. In the l9th century, it described piano pieces in rhapsodic style (e.g. by Brahms).cedez (Fr.)
Slow down.chaconne (Fr.)
A vocal or instrumental composition in slow, stately three- beat time with a ground bass, and popular in 17th century keyboard music and opera.chaleur (Fr.)C
Warmth .chamber music
Instrumental ensemble music with a limited number of performers and with only one player per part, suitable for a small performing space (such as in a private home). Chamber music is often performed in small concert halls.chamber sonata or sonata da camera (It.)
A type of suite prevalent in the 17th and 18th centuries mainly in the form of dance movements for two or more stringed instruments with keyboard accompaniment.chanson (Fr.)
A song or an instrumental composition with a song-like character.chorale
A Lutheran metrical hymn tune often used by J.S. Bach.chorale prelude
An instrumental piece based on a chorale, usually composed for organ.chord
The sounding together of two or more notes, usually with harmonic implication. Chord progressions are a series of chords that logically flow from one to the other.chromatic
Music which makes heavy use of notes not belong to the scales within the composition's key. A chromatic chord, for example, has notes foreign to the key. J.S. Bach's music is often very chromatic. Chromaticism commonplace in 19th century music, evolving to the point where the key is not always obvious.classical music
A style of music in the late 18th century written by composers such as Haydn and Mozart, characterized by clarity of texture, harmony and melody, as well as the refinement of abstract musical forms such as the sonata, symphony and concerto.clef
The symbol to determine the relative position of notes on the musical staff, placed normally at the beginning of each line, or whenever a different clef temporarily replaces the starting clef (to make notes fit more easily on the staff). There are many possible clefs (e.g. treble, bass, alto and tenor) chosen to accomodate the range of various instruments or voices. In piano music, the double staff (a staff for each hand) uses treble or bass clefs.close harmony
Harmony in which notes of chords are written closely together (e.g. in barbershop quartets).cluster
A 20th century concept of playing a group of adjacent notes simultaneously on the piano (e.g. with the forearm or a piece of wood. The usual term is tone cluster or note cluster. Pioneered by Cowell in 1912 and used by Ives.coda (It.,'tail')
The concluding section at the end of a movement, not usually of structural necessity. However, Beethoven's codas have great significance in his musical design.codetta (It., 'little tail')
Similar to coda but on a smaller scale, eg. rounding off a section of a movement as opposed to a whole movement.coloratura (It.)
Agile and florid style of vocal performance.common time
Four quarter notes to the bar, written 4/4 or C.compound time
A type of metre where the beat units are divisible into three (e.g. 6/8, 9/8, 12/8. Opposite of simple time.con forza (It.)
With force, vigorously.con fuoco (It.)
With fire.con grandezza
with grandeur.concertante
(1) A work for orchestra or for two or more instruments with prominent solo parts. (2) The sinfonia-concertante is a work with a form nearer to a symphony than concerto but employing solo instruments and orchestra.concertino
(1) A small and light textured concerto. (2) The soloist group in the 17thand 18th century concerto grosso. (3) A less formally structured work than a concerto for one or more solo instruments with orchestra.concerto
(1) A large-scale work, generally in three movements involving solo instrument(s) contrasted with orchestra and standardised by Mozart. Also called solo concerto. (2) An orchestral work in several contrasting movements with or without solo instruments, often supported by figured bass in the 17th and 18th centuries.concord
Pleasing to the ear and sounding harmonically resolved. However, interpretations of this term vary considerably. The opposite is discord.conduct
To direct a performance of either singers, players or both with a baton or hands in order to give precise indications of dynamics, phrasing and speed.consecutive intervals
Harmonic intervals of the same kind (e.g. thirds succeeding one another in the same parts.conservatoire (Fr.) or conservatory
A school for musical training.consonance
Same as concord.continuo (It.)
Abbreviation of basso continuo. Same as figured bass.contralto
The lower type of female voice having a range from F below middle C to G above the treble clef.contrapuntal
Adjective from counterpoint.corda, corde
String(s)\In piano playing, una corda (one string) indicates the use of the soft (left) pedal. The term tre corde (three strings) cancels this, indicating the release of the soft pedal.counterpoint
The sounding together of two or more separate parts of rhythmic and melodic independence, in harmony. Invertible counterpoint occurs when any one melody strand can exchange its position for another (e.g. the bass becomes treble). Between two parts, this is called double counterpoint.courante (Fr.)
A lively dance in triple time popular in the baroque period and found in the suite.crescendo (It.)
Getting gradually louder.csardas (Hung.)
Hungarian dance in contrasting sections (slow and fast).cycle
(1) A set of works, especially songs, intended to be performed as a group with thematic connection (e.g. Schubert's song cycle Die Winterreise.cyclic form
A work in which a theme connects more than one movement. Beethoven introduced it into symphonic music (e.g. in his Fifth symphony) and romantic composers developed it further.cycle of fifths
a chain of perfect fifths which will lead back to the original note (at a different octave) after working through the other eleven notes of the chromatic scale. It is useful for learning key signatures.
D
Note of the scale; Abbreviation for Deutsch in the cataloguing of works by Schubert.Da capo or DC
Repeat from the beginning.Da capo al fine
Repeat up to the word Fine (the end).Da capo al segno
Repeat to the sign.Dal segno
Repeat from the sign.damping pedal
Piano soft (left) pedal.decrescendo (It.)
Becoming gradually softer.degree
Position of note in scale (e.g. D is the second degree of C major scale).development
The section of a movement when initial statements of themes are expanded, developed, modified and broken up.diatonic
Adjective describing major and minor scales and also modes. The opposite of chromatic music which introduces notes not in the prevailing key. Diatonic harmonies, intervals, passages, etc. are made up of notes of the current key.diminished triad
A triad in which the perfect fifth is reduced chromatically by a semitone (e.g. A C and E flat.diminuendo or dim.(It.)
Gradually becoming softer. See decrescendo.diminution
The treatment of a melody by shortening the time values of notes, usually by half (e.g. in fugues and canons).discord
See concord.dissonance
Same as discord (see concord).divertimento (It.)
Usually an 18th century term for an entertaining suite of movements for chamber ensemble or orchestra. Mozart wrote in this style.divertissement (Fr., 'amusement')
(I) Entertainment in ballet form, sometimes with songs, found in operas or plays for contrast (e.g. the operas of Lully. (2) Same as divertimento. (3) Instrumental piece or fantasia employing popular tunes.dodecaphonic music
Same as serial music.dolce (It.)
Sweet and gentle.dolcissimo
Very sweetly.dolente (lt.)
Sorrowful.dominant
Fifth degree of the major or minor scale, or a triad built on it.dominant seventh
Dominant triad with the addition of the seventh note from its root.Doppio movimento
At double the speed of the preceding sectlon .double bar
Two bar lines placed closely together to signify the end of a composition or section.double counterpoint
Invertible counterpoint in two parts occurring frequently in fugues.double flat
A prefix to a note indicating the pitch is to be lowered by two semitones.double sharp
Prefix attached to note indicating pitch to be raised by two semitones.douce(ment) (Fr.)
Sweet (sweetly), gentle (gently).downbeat
The downward movement of the conductor' s baton or hand indicating the first beat of the bar. The term can also mean the first beat of the bar.due corde (It.)
Two strings. In piano music this occasionally indicates the release of the soft pedal (same as Tre Corde).duet
A composition for two performers sometimes with accompaniment. A piano duet is for two pianists on one piano.duettino (It.)
A little duet.duo
Same as duet but mainly an instrumental composition for two performers. A piano duo is for two pianists on separate pianos.duple time
Time in which the number of beats in the bar is divisible by two or four (e.g. 2/4, 4/4, 2/2).duplet
A pair of notes occupying time usually taken by three (e.g. 6/8 or 3/8).dynamics
The degrees of softness or loudness in music indicated by signs or words on the score.clatant (Fr.)
(1) Brilliant, bright; (2) Blaring. cossaise (Fr.)\Short for danse ecossaise. Although meaning Scottish dance, the term is apparently not of Scottish origin. A quick dance in 2/4 time, it was popular in Britain and on the Continent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Cultivated by Beethoven.
eilen (Ger.)
To hurry. Nicht cilen, do not hurry.einfach (Ger.)
Simply.eisteddfod (Welsh, 'assembly')
Music or competitive festival.elegy
Song or instrumental composition for the dead.embellishments
Same as ornaments.embouchure (Fr.)
The correct position of lips to the mouthpiece of an instrument to produce accurate intonation and good tone.encha nez (Fr.)
Link together (e.g. go straight on to the next section or movement without a break).encore (Fr.)
Again. Refers to an extra selection performed by musicians after a program in response to audience applause. French term is bis.enharmonic
Refers to alternate naming or spelling of the same musical note (e.g. A flat is the same as G sharp)ensemble (Fr., 'together')
(l) A small group of performers (e.g. a vocal or instrumental ensemble; (2) In opera, an ensemble is an selection for several soloists with or without chorus.entr'acte (Fr.)
(I) Interval during a play or opera. (2) Music to be played between the acts of a play or opera.entree (Fr.)
Chiefly a 17th century French music term for (I) an introductory piece for the entry of characters in ballet or opera; (2) an independent instrumental piece of similar nature; (3) the equivalent of a scene or act in ballet or opera.entry
(I) The entrance of a theme in a fugue occurring not only at the beginning but also at later stages in the composition. (2) A 17th century term for a prelude.episode
(I) In a rondo, this is a contrasting section between episodical form recurrences of the main theme. (2) In a fugue, it is a section linking (by means of contrast, modulation or possibly using subject material) one entry and another. In both contexts, an episode has a subordinate role.episodical form
Same as rondo form.equale (Old It., 'equal')
Piece or pieces (equali) for instruments of the same kind.espressivo (It.)
With expression.estampie (Fr.)
A popular dance form in the 13th and 14th centuries consisting of several sections (puncta) each of which has a first ending (ouvert) and a second ending (clos).estinto (It., 'extinct')
Music to be played so that it is barely audible.etouffez (Fr., 'damp')
Indication to harp or cymbal players, etc. that sound must be immediately cut short.etude (Fr., 'study')
An instrumental piece to improve or demonstrate certain technical points. However, many etudes (such as those by Chopin) have great artistic merit.exercise
(I) An instrumental or vocal piece intended to improve aspects of technique and of no artistic value. (2) The term for a keyboard suite in the 18th century.exposition
The initial statement of a musical theme or idea upon which a rnovement or piece is based. In a fugue, the exposition is the initial statement of the subject by each voice in turn. The exposition is completed when each voice has been heard for the first time. In sonata form, it is a repeated section in which the main themes are first stated before moving on to the development section.expressionism
A 20th century term borrowed from painting and applied to other art forms implying a reaction against impressionism (e.g. the works of composers such as Debussy). Musically it is especially applied to the works of Schonberg, Berg and some compositions of Hindemith.expression marks
Indications on the score provided by the composer to aid accurate performance of a work and consisting of dynamics (e.g. degrees of loudness and softness), tempo and mood.extemporisation
Same as improvisation.
F
(1) Note of the scale; (2) Abbreviation of forte.f clef
Another name for bass clef.facile (Fr. and It.)
Fasy, fluent.Facilmente
Easily or fluently.falsetto (It.)
Singing or speech by an adult male voice in a higher register than normal. It is sometimes used for a comic effect and is used by tenors for notes above their normal range.fandango (Sp.)
A lively Spanish dance in 3/4 or 6/8 time accompanied by guitar, castanets and performers' singing. The fandango includes sudden stops and speed increasesfanfare
(I) A flourish for trumpets (or other imitating instruments) usually for an introduction or proclamation; (2) French for brass band.fantasia (It.), fantaisie (Fr.), fantasie (Ger.), fantasy (Eng.)
This style is generally associated with the abandoning of set rules for free flights of the composer's imagination. Specific definitions include: (I) a romantic mood piece of the 19th century(e.g. by Schumann); (2) a contrapuntal piece, in several sections for one or many players, current in the 16th and 17th centuries, of improvisatory nature, with 'fancy' as an alternative name. The title phantasy was used for the 20th century revival of the form.fantasiestuck (Ger.)
A short piece similar to capriccio or intermezzo.farandole (Fr.)
A dance of Provence in 6/8 time accompanied by pipe and tabor.fausset (Fr.)
Falsetto.fermata (It.)
Pause.ff
Abbreviation of fortissimo meaning very loudfigure
A short musical phrase (not as long as a theme) which is recognisable through repetition in a composition.figured bass or basso continuo (It.)
The bass part (played on keyboard or other chordal instrument) with figures written below the notes indicating the harmonies to be played above them. This system was used greatly in the baroque period as an accompaniment for soloists or to enrich the general texture of a larger composition.final
The note on which the melody ends in church modes. In authentic modes, the final is on the tonic. In plagal modes, it falls on the fourth degree of the scale.finale (It.)
Final. In English there are two main meanings: (1) the last movement of a work in several movements; (2) the lengthy concluding section of an opera, often subdivided into smaller sections with contrasting tempos or keys. Involves several singers and often a chorus.fine (It )
End. This term sometimes occurs in the middle of music, often where there is an instruction to repeat an opening section. The directionfine indicates the end of a piece.fino al segno (It.)
As far as the sign.fioritura (It., 'a flowering')
Decoration of a melody with ornaments which may be notated or improvised. Evident in 17th and 18th century Italian opera.first movement form
An alternative name for sonata form.flamenco or cante flamenco (Sp.)
An Andalusian song performed with guitar accompaniment and dancing of a mostly sad nature. Various types of namenco exist and are named after districts (e.g. malaguena and sevillana). Flamenco-style guitar employs quite different and forceful techniques compared to classical guitar playing.flat
A lowering in pitch which may be a semitone, or a description of someone singing or playing below normal pitch unintentionally. A double flat indicates a lowering of the pitch by two semitones.flebile (It.)
Mournful .fliessend (Ger.)
Flowing.flourish
(I) Fanfare; (2) Decorative musical figuration notated or improvlsed .flutter-tongue
Extremely fast articulation of sound on a wind instrument by the tongue, like trilling.forte (It.)
Loud. Abbreviated f.fortissimo (It.)
Very loud. Abbreviated ff.forza (It.)
Force.forzando (It.)
Strongly accented. Abbreviated fz.foxtrot
Originally an American dance in duple time of which there are two main typesÄfast and slow. It first became popular in 1912.frottola (It.)
A popular and light Italian strophic song for several voices, with the melody on top, flourishing around 1500. Particularly heard in aristocratic circles.fuga
(1) (Lat.) A canon in the 15th and 16th centuries. (2) (It.) A fugue.fugato
Describes a section of a composition in fugal style which is not actually a fugue.fuge (Ger.)
Fugue.fughetta (It.)
Short fugue.fugue
A contrapuntal composition for two or more voices or parts built around a theme, which is successively imitated by entries of each voice at the beginning and developed throughout the piece. The initial entry in the tonic key is called the subject. The second entry in the dominant is called the answer. If this answer is exact (e.g. it reproduces the subject note for note in the dominant) then it is a real answer. If the answer is slightly modified to preserve tonality, it is called a tonal answer. After having announced the subject or answer, each voice passes on to another thematic element known as the countersubject. After each voice has made its initial entry the cxposition or first section of the fugue is complete. Thereafter, further entries of the subject appear, separated by contrapuntal episodes and the subject may be treated by augmentation, diminution, inversion, etc. J.S. Bach was one of the great masters of the fugue.full close
Alternative name for perfect cadence.fundamental
First or lowest note of the harmonic series.funebre (It.)
Funeral. March funebre, funeral march.fuoco (It.)
Fire.
G
Note of the scale.gaio, gaia (It.)
Gay.galant (Fr. and Ger.)
Style galant. Courtly. This term, adopted by German writers, refers to a mid-18th century style characterised by a homophonic, formal elegance as opposed to the German contrapuntal traditional style. This was practised by C.P.E. Bach and influenced Mozart.galantieren (Ger.)
Optional dances (e.g. polonaise or minuet) in the 18th century suite, normally placed between the sarabande and gigue.galliard
A lively dance usually in triple time often contrasted (although often thematically linked) with the slower pavan which it followed.galop
A quick 19th century ballroom dance in 2/4 time.gamba (It. )
Abbreviation for viola da gamba.garbato (It.)
Graceful .gavotte
A fairly quick dance in 4/4 time.gebrauchmusik (Ger.)
Same as utility music.gedampft (Ger.)
Muted.gehalten (Ger.)
Sustained. Cutgehalten, well sustained.gehend (Ger.)
At a moderate speed.geistlich (Ger.)
Sacred.gemessen (Ger.)
Held back, tempo sustained.gemutlich (Ger.)
Easy going, cosy, comfortable.general pause
Complete silence. A rest of at least one bar for the whole orchestra. Abbreviation is GP.German sixth
A type of 'augmented sixth' chord (e.g. A flat, C, E flat and F sharp whlch also may be treated as a dominant seventh chord.gesangvoll (Ger.)
Songful.geschleift (Ger.)
Smooth. Same as legato.geschwind (Ger.)
Quick.gestossen (Ger.)
Detached. Same as staccato.getragen (Ger.)
Slow and sustained. Same as sostenuto.gigue or giga (It.), jig
A lively dance in binary form, usually in 6/8 or 12/8 time. Often occurs as the last movement in the 18th century suite.giocoso (It.)
Merry, playful.giusto (It.)
(1) In strict time. (2) At a reasonable speed.glee
A simple and short part-song in several sections for male voices, flourishing in Britain between 1650 and 1830.glissando
The sliding up or down a scale, often abbreviated by gliss. or a wavy or straight stroke between the highest and lowest note.GP
Abbreviation of general pause.grace note
Same as ornament, used to embellish a melody line and normally printed in smaller type.gradevole (It.)
Pleasing .grandezza (It.)
Grandeur.grandioso (It.)
In an imposing manner.grand opera
A vague term describing: (1) the serious, entirely sung operas as opposed to the lighter op ra-comique which had dialogue, (2) operas on a grand and lavish scale.grave (It.)
Slow and solemn.gregorian chant
A type of plainsong associated with Pope Gregory I (590- 604) existing as a large collection of ancient monophonic melodies which were until quite recently used in the Roman Catholic Church.ground bass or basso ostinato (It.)
A bass line or pattern repeated over and over while upper parts proceed. The ground bass is a foundation for varied melodic, contrapuntal or harmonic treatment. Forms which use this device include the chaconne and passacaglia.gut (Ger.)
Markedly .gymel (Lat. gemellus, 'twin')
A type of two-part late medieval English vocal music, with great use of thirds and sixths.habanera (Sp.)
A syncopated Cuban dance introduced into Spain in the l9th century with singing, usually in 2/4 time.
halb(e) (Ger.)
Half. Halbsopran, mezzo-soprano. Halbtenor, baritone.half close
An imperfect cadence.half note
The equivalent of two quarter notes or half of a whole note (two beats in 4/4 time).harmonic series
A set of notes produced by a vibrating string or air column, determining the difference of tone colours of instruments.harmony
The sounding together of notes in a musically significant manner. The main unit of harmony is the chord. The chords are built around the degrees of the scale. The primary chords in most popular compositions are based on the first, fourth and fifth degree of a scale. Many different theories have evolved over the past few centuries about the construction and interpolation of chords to create various senses of musical movement or intellectual or emotional responses.head voice
Upper register of voice.heiter (Ger.)
Cheerful.heptachord
The scale of seven notes (e.g. the modern major or minor scale).hidden fifths
Consecutive fifths implied, but not actually present in harmony and nevertheless frowned upon by academics.hocket
In medieval church music, the insertion of rests into vocal parts for expressive purposes.homophony (Gk., 'same-sounding')
Music in which parts move together presenting a top melody with accompanying chords. The opposite of polyphony.hondo or cante hondo (Sp.)
A sad Andalusian song employing some intervals smaller than a semitone.hornpipe
A lively English dance, in triple time in the early 16th century. From the mid 18th century onwards it was in 4/4 time, acquiring an association with sailors.humoresque (Fr.), humoreske (Ger.)
An instrumental composition of a capricious nature. Schumann wrote in this style.hymn
A Christian song of praise sung by a congregation with words specially written.
idee fixe (Fr., 'fixed idea')
Berlioz' term for motto theme which means a recurring theme in a composition used (e.g. in his Symphonie Fantastique).idyll
A literary term for a work of pastoral or peaceful nature and transferred to music (e.g. Siegfried Idyll by Wagner).illustrative music
Descriptive music evoking a poem, novel, play, painting emotion or other non-musical source. More common term is programme music.imitation
A device in part-writing in which one voice repeats (or approximately repeats) a musical figure previously stated by another voice. Canon and fugue employ imitation with strict rules.imperfect cadence
See cadence.impresslonlsm
Term borrowed from painting, describing the works of Monet, Degas, etc. and transferred to music referring to the atmospheric music of Debussy and Ravel. A famous example is Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune by Debussy evoking the imagery of Mallarme's symbolist poem.impromptu
A short composition of improvisatory nature usually for piano. Schubert and Chopin wrote in this style.improvisation or extemporization
The art of spontaneous composition of music in performance. This may take the form of ornamentaion, variation of a song or theme, or completely new material. Improvisation is great]y used in jazz.incidental music
Properly, music to be performed during the action of a play. However, the term also includes overtures and interludes.inciso (It.)
Incisive.indeterminacy
A modernistic principal since 1945 of leaving elements of performance to pure chance (see aleatoric music) or letting performers decide when to play certain passages. Berio, Cage and Stockhausen used this concept in their compositions.infinite canon
A neverending canon popularly known as a round (e.g. Three Blind Mice).inglese (It.)
English.in modo di (It.)
In the style or manner of.innig (Ger.)
Intimate, heartfelt.instrumentation
Composing music for particular instruments. This term is used with reference to the composer's skill and knowledge of selecting instruments which sound well or are unusual, etc.interlude
(I) Music inserted between other pieces of music (e.g. organ passages between hymn verses); (2) Music inserted between acts of plays or other non-musical events.intermede (Fr.)
Same as intermezzo.intermezzo (It., 'something in the middle')\
(I) An instrumental piece in opera, i.e. performed while the stage is empty; (2) A short concert piece. Brahms wrote in this style.interrupted cadence
See cadence.invention
A title used byJ.S. Bach for contrapuntal two-part compositions for clavier. Bach called three-part compositions sinfonie but they are now also referred to as inventions.inversion
The turning upside-down of a chord or single melody (by applying intervals in opposite directions) or two melodies in counterpoint by the upper melody becoming the lower and vice-versa. This last method is called invertible counterpoint..ionian mode
The mode which, on the white keys of the piano, is represented from C to C (same as C major scale)isorhythmic (Gk ., 'equal-rhythmed')
A device used in motets around 1300- 1450 in which the rhythmic pattern is repeated according to a strict scheme. This usually occurs in the tenor line in which the rhythm is repeated several times in diminishing note values.istesso tempo (It.)
At the same tempo.Italian overture
An orchestral work revealing a literary or pictorial element in three movements, quick-slow-quick, from which the symphony evolved. The French overture has slow-quick-slow movements.Italian sixth
A type of augmented sixth chord (e.g. A flat, C and F sharp) distinguished by having a major triad and no other note between the notes forming the sixth.
jodel
A moderately fast Spanish dance in 3/4 time accompanied by castanets .
K
Abbreviation of Kochel in cataloguing Mozart's works.kammer (Ger.)
Chamber. Kammerrnusik, chamber music.KB
Abbreviation of German Kontrabass, double-bass.keen (Ir. caoine)
An Irish funeral song accompanied by wailing.Key
Musical term to indicate the tonality of a piece based on the major or minor scales and their relationship between the notes of the scale and chords built around them. There are two traditional types of keys (major or minor) depending upon whether they are based on the notes of the major or minor scale.key signature
This indicates the precise key of the piece. Sharps or flats are placed at the beginning of a composition after the clef. Any other alteration (e.g. a brief modulation to another key, is indicated by accidentals. If there is an extended passage in a new key, however, then a new key signature may appear. The key signature must be represented at the beginning of every new stave in a composition (although not always in popular music).klein (Ger.)
Little.
lacrimoso (It.)
Mournful, sad.lai (Fr.) or lay
A type of trouvere song similar to the sequence with sections of irregular length and melodic repetition.lament
Music signifying grief but especially describing bagpipe music played at Scottish clan funerals.landler
Slow Austrian dance in waltz time popular in the late 18th and early l9th centuries.largamente (It.)
Broad and deliberate in style.larghetto (It., 'a little largo')
Not quite as slow as a largo.largo (It., 'broad')
Slow and broad.leading note
The seventh degree of the major scale. This is so called because it seems naturally to rise to the tonic a semitone above. In the minor scale this note is used only when ascending, not descending.lebhaft (Ger.)
Lively.legato (It.)
Smoothly.leger (Fr.)
Light.Legerement
lightly.leggiero, leggieramente (It.)
Light, lightly..leyno (It . 'wood ')
(1) Direction in some scores to use the woodblock; (2) Direction to string players to hit the string with the back of the bowleicht (Ger.)
Lightly.leise (Ger.)
Soft, gentle. Leiser, softer.leitmotif (Ger.)
Leading motif. This is a recurring theme symbolising a character, emotion or object and was first used by H. Von Wolzogen in a discussion of Wagner's The Ring.lento (It.)
Slow.lesson
This term described a short, keyboard piece or a set of short pieces in the 17th and 18th centuries.libretto (It., 'booklet')
The text of an opera or oratorio.licenza (It.)
Freedom, licence. Con akune licenze, with some freedom in style.lied (Ger., plural lieder)
Song. This term is particularly applied to the German romantic songs of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. A characteristic is the importance paid to the piano part and the mood of the words.ligature
(1) In vocal music this is a slur mark indicating that a group of notes is to be sung to the same syllable; (2) In instrumental music this is a slur indicating notes which are to be phrased together.loco (It., 'place')
An indication to a performer that music is to be played at the pitch written. This direction may (a) cancel previous indications to play at a different pitch or (b) indicate a passage to be played in the normal position as opposed to any other in string music.locrian mode
A mode represented on the white keys of the piano from B to B.lontano (It.)
Distant.loud pedal
A nickname for the sustaining (right) pedal on the piano.lungo, lunga (It.)
Long.lusingando, lusinghiero (It.)
Alluringly.lustig (Ger. )
Cheerful, jolly.Iydian mode
(1) In Ancient Greek music this could be represented on the white keys of the piano from C to C; (2) From the middle ages, the Iydian mode can be represented on the white keys of the piano from F to F.Iyric
(1) Words of a song. (2) A fairly short but expressive piece (e.g. Lyric Piece by Grieg; (3) Describes vocal performance with the lyre. (4) A Iyric drama is an occasional synonym for opera.
ma (It.)
(1) But; (2) Abbreviation of the major scale.madrigal
A secular, polyphonic, unaccompanied vocal composition set to poems for several parts, mainly cultivated in the 16th and 17th centuries. Italian writers of this time included Gabrieli and Palestrina (16th century). Monteverdi and Marenzio wrote in the later highly stylised manner of the 17th century. English writers included Morley and YVeelkes.maestoso (It.)
Majestic, dignified.maestro (It., 'master')
This title was given to well-known conductors and composers in Italy. It is now used (sometimes rather amusingly) elsewhere.maggiore (It.)
Major.maj
Abbreviation of the major scale.major, minor
These are the two main scales of the western tonal system. The major key is based on the major scale and the minor key is based on the minor scale. The minor scale breaks into three variations: harmonic, melodic and natural. These terms also refer to chords and intervals being built out of the major or minor scale.mal (Ger.)
Time.malaguena (Sp.)
An Andalusian dance, originating in Malaga, marked by singing. This term also describes an instrumental piece of similar nature.malinconia (It.)
Melancholy.marcato (It.)
Marked, emphatic.march
A marching piece either slow (4/4 time) or quick (2/4 or 6/8 time).marche (Fr.)
March.marcia (It.)
March. Alla marcia, in a march-like style.marziale (It.)
Martial.masque
Aristocratic, elaborate English stage entertainment chiefly cultivated in the 17th century and involving poetry, dancing, scenery, costumes, instrumental and vocal music. The masque was related to opera and ballet.mass
This is the main service of the Roman Catholic Church which has been set to music by composers including Bach, Mozart and Haydn.mattinata (It. )
Morning song.mazurka
A Polish folk dance in moderate to fast 3/4 or 3/8 time. Adapted and stylised by Chopin.md
Instruction to play with the right hand in piano playing. Abbreviations of main droite (Fr.) and mano destra (It.).mediant
A name for the third degree of the scale (e.g. E is in the mediant in C major). The mediant is so-called because it stands between the tonic and dominant.melisma (Gk., ' song'; plural melismata)
Describes a group of notes sung to the same syllable. However, the term is also applied to any florid vocal passage of improvisatory or cadenza-like nature.melodic minor
One of the three types of minor scale.melodie (Fr.)
(I) Melody. (2) Song.melodrama
In musical contexts, this term refers to the dramatic use of the spoken word against a musical background. This style may be used throughout an entire work or just as part of a work.meno (It.)
Less.Meno mosso
slower.menuet (Fr.), menuett (Ger.)
Same as minuet.menuetto
Term used by German composers who believed it to be Italian for minuet. The Italian for minuet is minuetto.messa di voce (It.)
The steady increasing and decreasing of volume on one long held note in singing.messe (Fr. and Ger.)
Same as mass.mesto (It.)
Sad.meta (It.)
Half.metamorphosis of themes
Liszt's term for leitmotif, the recurring and development of themes symbolising a character, emotion, object, idea, etc.metre
This is indicated by a time signature dividing up the music into regularly occurring accents (e.g. 3/4 time means that the basic note values are quarter notes and that every third one is accented).mezzo (It., 'half')
Mezzo-soprano, female voice midway between a soprano and contralto range.Mezzo forte
Midway between loud and soft and abbreviated mf.Mezza voce
With a moderate tone.MG
Instruction to play with the left hand in piano playing. Abbreviation of main gauche (Fr.).mi
Abbreviation of the minor scale.mi
An interval smaller than a semitone, evident in some modern compositions.min
Abbreviation of the minor scale.minacciando (It.)
Threatening.minor
Opposite of major. Applied to scales, keys, chords and intervals.minuet (Eng.), minuetto (It.)
A moderately fast French dance of rustic origin in 3/4 time but rising to court and becoming fashionable in the 18th century. The minuet is the standard third movement in the classical sonata, symphony, string quartet, etc., developing later into the scherzo with Beethoven. Form is A A B A.mirror
This term is sometimes attached to a fugue or canon to describe two or more parts appearing simultaneously, with one the correct way up and the other upside down, as if a mirror had been placed between them.missa (Lat.)
Mass.missa brevis (Lat.)
(I) A short concise musical setting of the mass. (2) A setting of the Kyrie and Gloria only.Missa solemnis
High Mass.misura (It.)
A measure. Senza misura, not in strict time.mit (Ger.)
With.mixed chorus, mixed voices
mixed chorus, mixed voices A body of singers including both adult male and female voices.mixolydian mode
A mode represented on the white notes of the piano from G to G.moderato (It.)
At a moderate pace. This term is used in other tempos (e.g. allegro moderato, implying a moderately fast pace).modes
Sets of eight-note scales inherited from ancient Greece via the Middle Ages in which they were most prevalent, although they still survive today in plainsong and folk music. At the end of the 17th century the modes had been reduced to two scales, major and minor, which we know today. Here are the modes which may be represented by scales of white notes on the piano with the names derived from the Greek system. The 'final' of a mode is the note of a cadence, or resting point, in a melody, and the 'dominant' is a reciting note.modo (It.)
Manner. In modo di, in the manner of.modulate
The shift from one key to another in composition.molto (It.)
Much, very.monodrama
A dramatic stage work for only one character.monody (Gk., 'single song')
A term used to describe a solo song with accompaniment (or continuo) in contrast to the polyphonic style in which all parts are of equal importance.monophony (Gk., 'single sound')
This term describes music with a single melody line without support of accompaniment.monothematic
Music with only one theme.morbido (It.)
Gentle, delicate.mordent
An ornament which has two forms: (1) upper mordent (or inverted mordent); (2) lower mordent or simply, mordent.morendo (It.)
Dying away (of force and sometimes, speed).mosso (It.)
Animated, moving.motet
(1) In modern use this is a religious choral composition in Latin of the Roman Catholic service corresponding to the anthem in the Anglican service. (2) In medieval times, this was a vocal composition based on a given set of words and melody, which sometimes came from a secular song.motif (Fr.)
(1) A term sometimes used in English for leitmotif. (2) Sarne as motiv or motive.motion
A term describing the course of a melody or melodies. Conjunct motion is movement by step. Disjunct motion is movement by leap. Similar motion describes two melodies moving in the same direction and contrary motion describes two melodies moving in opposite directions. Paralicl motion describes parts moving the same way and also keeping the same interval between them.motiv (Ger.), motive (Eng.)
(1) A short but recognisable melodic or rhythmic figure. (2) In analysis, this term describes the smallest subdivision of (e.g. a theme).moto (It.)
Movement. Con Moto means 'with movement'.motto theme
A term for music which recurs and develops in the form of a quotation.movement
A self-contained section of a large composition having its own time signature and title. In some works, movements are directly linked (without a break inbetween) and sound incomplete without performing them in sequence. In all works, movements form a cohesive whole, much like in a set of related literary short stories.movimento (It.)
Motion. Doppio mouvmento, at double the preceding speed.MS (It. 'mano sinistra')
Left hand. Instruction to play with left hand in piano playing.M Sop
Abbreviation of mezzo soprano.musical play
A type of American-influenced light stage entertainment which succeeded the musical comedy in the mid-20th century. Now known simply as a musical. An example is Phantom of the Opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.musical switch
A medley of popular tunes.music drama
A Wagnerian term for opera, which he felt to be inadequate. This term describes Wagner's new concept of the leitmotif and the fusing of scenery, costume, libretti, music and drama into a new art.music theatre
A term describing (from the 1960's) dramatic works simpler than opera and suitable for the concert platform.musique concrete (Fr., 'concrete music')
Music in which natural sounds (instrumental, vocal or other) were recorded on tape and then distorted, combined, etc. This term was coined by Peter Schaeffer in 1948 but it has largely been superseded by electronic music.muta (It.)
Change. Direction to the timpani player to change tuning or to the wind player to change instrument.
nach (Ger.)
To, after.nachschlag (Ger.)
Ornament in German music in the 17th and 18th centuries.nachtanz (Ger., 'after dance')
A quick dance used to follow a slow one.nachtmusik (Ger.)
Serenade or 'night music'. A title used in Mozart's Eine Klcine Nachtmusik.nationalism, nationalist
Music with national characteristics (e.g. use of folk music. The term is particularly applied to 19th century composers (e.g. Smetena and Grieg. Bartok and Kodaly were also famous as nationalist composers).natural
(1) The cancelling of a flat or sharp of a note or key indicated by a sign beside the note; (2) A trumpet or horn, etc. not having any valves or keys.naturale
Instruction to a singer or instrumentalist to perform in the normal way (e.g. singing tenor instead of falsetto or playing without mutes).neapolitan sixth
A chord on the fourth degree of the scale with a minor third and sixth (e.g. in C major it includes the notes F, A flat and D flat).neo (Gk., 'new')
A prefix indicating a new interest in older styles (e.g. neo- romantic refers to composers in the 20th century writing in the romantic style).neo-classical
Describes a trend, especially in the 1920's, characterised by its use of the concerto grosso technique, contrapuntal writing and avoidance of emotion. Neo-classical composers included Stravinsky and Hindemith.new music
(I) In the early 17th century this described the new expressive music; (2) Between 1850 and 1900 it described the new music of Wagner and Liszt as opposed to the more traditional music of Brahms; (3) Today it refers to music by contemporary composers.niente (It.)
Nothing. A niente, to nothing. Used after a diminuendo symbol to indicate the sound dying away entirely. nobile, nobilmente (It.)\Noble, nobly.nocturne
A night piece with two main meanings: (1) In the 18th century this was a composition close to a serenade for several instruments and movements. (2) In the romantic period it was a short Iyrical piece in one movement for piano (e.g. by Chopin). noel (Fr., 'Christmas')\A Christmas carol. non (Fr. and It.)\Not.non-harmonic note
A note which is not part of the chord with which it sounds. This could mean a passing note or an appoggiatura.nota cambiata (It., 'changed note')
A contrapuntal device whereby a dissonant note is used when one expects a consonant one.notation
Written music, by ordinary staff notation symbols or graphic representation or simply by letter-names (e.g. the tonic sol-fa.note cluster
The performance of a group of adjacent notes simultaneously on the piano, e. g. with the forearm or a piece of wood. Pioneered by Cowell in 1912 and used by Ives. Also known as tone cluster.note row
This occurs in 20th century serial music, also called dodecaphonic music or twelve-note music. It is the order in which the composer chooses to arrange the twelve notes, which serves as the foundation of the composition. novelette (Eng.) or novellette (Ger.)\A short, instrumental, romantic piece. The term was first used by Schumann for a piano work in 1848.
obbligato (It., 'obligatory')
An obbligato part is one which has an important and unusual special role and cannot be dispensed with, as opposed to an optional part. However, in some l9th century music, the term obbligato was applied to an additional optional part.oblique motion
Describes the movement of parts or melodies when one remains on the same note and the other moves in some direction.octave
The interval of eight steps (e.g. C to C on the white notes of the piano).octet
A composition for eight voices or instruments, or simply eight people.ode
The setting of a poem entitled 'ode' to music.ohne (Ger.)
Without.op
Abbreviation of Latin opus, work. Used as a publishers' catalogue system to indicate the order in which a composer's works have been published. The higher the opus number, the later the music was published in a composer's lifetime.opera
A drama in which all or most characters sing and in which music is an important element. Early composers of opera include Monteverdi and Purcell. Other composers are Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Wagner (who preferred the term music drama), Puccini, and in the 20th century, Berg and Britten.opera bouffe (Fr.)
A light, often satirical opera or operetta (e.g. by Offenbach).opera buffa (It.)
A comic opera especially in the 18th century (e.g. by Pergolesi).opera comique (Fr.)
This term describes comic opera but has two special meanings: (1) A type of French comic opera with spoken dialogue, lighter than current serious operas in the 18th century; (2) An opera, comic or otherwise, with spoken dialogue (e.g. Bizet's Carmen in the l9th century).opera seria (It.)
Serious opera and opposite of opera buffa. This term is especially applied to the flourishing 18th century style as used by Rossini. Characterised by the use of castrato singers, heroic or mythological plots, Italian libretti and formality in the music and action.opera-ballet
A stage work giving more or less equal importance to opera and ballet (e.g. the works of Lully and Rameau in France in the 17th and 18th centuries).opera oratorio
A stage work involving elements of both opera and oratorio (e.g. Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex).operetta (It., 'little opera')
A term applied in the l9th century to lighter styles of opera involving dialogue. Composers included Offenbach, Johann Strauss and Sullivan. This style is sometimes referred to as light opera.operette (Fr.)
Operetta.oratorio
A musical composition (originating around 1600) consisting of an extended setting of a religious or epic text for chorus, soloists and orchestra for performance in a church or concert hall, although originally oratorios involved scenery, costumes and action. An example is Handel's Messiah of 1742.orchestra
A large body of instrumentalists which has developed historically. The first orchestras were variable, but by the baroque period they consisted of strings, oboes and bassoons with other solo instruments. Standardisation took place in the classical period when the orchestra was divided into four sections: strings, woodwind (two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons and clarinets), brass (two horns and two trumpets) and percussion consisting of two kettledrums. The orchestra was greatly expanded in the 19th century to include the harp and other percussion. Some 20th century composers began writing for smaller ensembles (perhaps mainly because of economics).orchestration
(1) The art of writing for an orchestra, band, etc., involving great knowledge of tone colours, range of instruments, technical capacities and combinations of instruments, etc. (2) The scoring of a work, originally intended for another medium, for an orchestra.organum
A medieval type of part-writing based on plainsong and harmonised by either one, two or three parallel parts.O
ornaments Also called graccs or embellishments, these are notes considered to be an extra embellishment of a melody which are either added spontaneously by the performer or indicated by the composer on the score by signs or notation. In the 17th and 18th centuries, omaments were mostly indicated by signs and they included the trill, mordent, turn, arpeggio and appoggiatura. Composers wrote out ornaments in full in later periods.ossia (It.)
Or. Indicates an alternative passage (usually a simpler version) in a composition.ostinato (It., 'obstinate')
A persistently repeated musical figure or rhythm. A basso ostinato or ground bass has this feature in the bass part.otez (Fr.)
Take off. Otez Ies sourdines, take off the mutes.ottava (It.)
Octave. Often written 8ve. All'ottava, at the octave and ottava bassa, an octave lower.overtone
Any notes of the harmonic series are given this name except for the first fundamental.overture
(1) An orchestral piece preceding an opera, oratorio or play; (2) Since Mendelssohn's Hebrides of 1832, the overture also describes a one movement orchestral piece composed for the concert hall with a non-musical subject. This is also called the concert overture; (3) In the 17th and 18th centuries the French overture (preceding an opera, etc.) was in three movements, slow-quick-slow, and the Italian overture (a precursor of the symphony) also in three movements was quick-slow-quick.
p
Abbreviaion for piano (It.), soft. Varying degrees of increasing softness are abbreviated as pp, ppp, etc.pantomime
(1) Traditionally a play in mime; (2) Nowadays it is a Christmas stage entertainment based on a fairy tale or other traditional source with dialogue, popular songs, costumes and actions (e.g. Snow White).pantonality
Schonberg preferred this term to atonality (e.g. music not written in any definite key).parallel motion
The movement of two or more parts in the same direction while also keeping the same interval between them.parody mass (Lat. missa parodia)
A polyphonic mass (e.g. by Palestrina) flourishing in the 16th century based on existing material of a motet or chanson. This term has only been used since the 19th century, however.part
The music of a particular voice or instrument in an ensemble.parte (It.)
Voice-part.partials
The tones of the harmonic series, the lowest being thefirst partial and the others the upper partials or overtones.partita (It.)
A suite. This term was much used in the 18th century. In the 17th century, however, a partita was a variation.part-song
Generally a strophic song for several male, female or mixed voices in which there are many singers to a part, with the top part usually having the principal part. Composers include Elgar, Parry and Stanford.part-writing
The composing of polyphonic music and the writing of equally good melodic parts.pas (Fr )
Step. A pas d 'action is a ballet scene of dramatic nature and a pas de deux is a dance for two.pasodoble (Sp., 'double step') or paso doble
A modern and quick Spanish dance in 2/4 time.passacaglia
Originally a slow and stately dance appearing in keyboard music of the 17th century. Later the passacaglia was a piece with a theme continually repeated, but not necessarily in the bass, like the chaconne.passage
A section of a composition, usually with no structural importance.passing note
A note, which may be accented or unaccented, forming a discord with the chord with which it is heard, but is melodically placed between two consonant notes.passion music
This is the Passion of Christ, as accounted by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, set to music and properly performed during Holy Week.pasticcio (It., 'pie')
An operatic work with the material drawn from the works of various composers, especially popular in the 18th century.pastiche (Fr.)
A piece composed deliberately in the style of another well- known composer. See also pasticcio above.pastoral
(I) Alternative name for the madrigal; (2) Any piece representing country life.pastorale (It.)
(I) An instrumental movement with long bass notes giving a drone-like effect in 6/8 or 12/8 time; (2) Obsolete term for a stage entertainment based on a legendary or rustic subject.patter song
Popular in opera, this is a comic song in which words, sung as fast as possible, are often tongue-twisters. Often found in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.pausa (It.)
A rest (not a pause).pause
A wait of indefinite length on a note or rest.pavan (Eng.) or pavane (Fr.)
A slow, stately dance usually in duple time dating from the 16th century. It was normally followed by the quicker galliard after about 1550, often employing the same theme.pedal
The fudamental or lowest note of the harmonic series especially applied to the playing of brass instruments.pedal point
A note, usually in the bass, which is held below changing harmonies above, with which it may be discordant.pentatonic
A five note scale, the commonest being without minor seconds (e.g. CDEGA-C...).per (It.)
By, through, for (e.g. per archi, for strings).perdendosi (It., 'losing itself')
Gradually dying away.perfect cadence
A cadence with the chord progression consisting of the dominant (chord V) to the tonic (chord I) which has a 'complete' sound.perfect intervals
These are the intervals of the octave, fourth and fifth.perfect pitch
A sense of pitch which enables a person to identify a note simply by hearing it.perfect time
In medieval music, this was triple time.perpetual canon
Popularly known as a round, this is a never-ending canon which is also known as an infinite canon.perpetuum mobile (Lat., 'perpetually in motion')
A fast piece of music in which a rapid repetitive note-pattern is played throughout.pesante (It.)
Heavy, ponderous.petit (Fr.)
Little .petto (It., 'chest')
In musical contexts used as in voci di petto, chest voice.phantasie (Ger.)
Fantasy.phrase
A group of notes forming a unit of a melody. To phrase a melody is to observe and mark the divisions of a melody into units or phrases .phrygian cadence
A cadence which ends on the dominant of the relative minor.phrygian mode
The mode which, on the white keys of the piano, is represented by E to E.piacere a (It.)
At pleasure (e.g. not at any strict speed).piacevole (It.)
Pleasantly.piangendo (It.)
Plaintively.pianissimo (It.)
Very soft, with abbreviation pp.piano (It.)
(1) Soft, abbreviation p; (2) Standard abbreviation in French and English for pianoforte.pianoforte
(It)soft and loud, abrrev. is piano.picardy third or tierce de picardie (Fr.)
The surprising sound of a major third at the end of a piece otherwise in a minor key thus converting the expected minor chord to a major one. This was a common device up to the mid-18th century .pi- (It.)
More. Piu lento, slower.piuttosto (It.)
Somewhat, rather.pizz
Abbreviation of pizzicato.pizzicato (It.)
Indication to pluck notes on a bowed string instrument. Abbreviation pizz.plagal cadence
A closing cadence consisting of a progression of the subdominant (chord IV) to the tonic (Chord I) sounding like 'Amen'.plainchant or plainsong (from Lat. cantus planus)
Medieval church music usually describing the gregorian chant which still survives today in the Roman Catholic church. It consists of a single, unaccompanied vocal line in free rhythm like speech with no regular bar lengths.pneuma (Gk ., ' breath ' )
A type of florid passage in plainsong sung to a single vowel.pochettino, pochetto (It.)
Very slightly, very little. Diminutive of poco.pochissimo (It. )
Very slightly. Superlative of poco.poco (It.)
Slightly, little, rather. Poco crescendo, getting slightly louder. poco a poco, little by little.poi (It.)
Then. In the phrase scherzo da capo, e poi la coda it means repeat the scherzo and then go on to the coda.pointe d'archet (Fr.)
Point of the bow.pointillism
Term taken from painting (referring to pictures using separate dots of colour) and applied to the music of some 20th century composers (e.g. Webern). This described music of a spare and pointed style emplying use of pizzicato.polacca (It.)
See polonaise.polka
A moderately fast dance in 2/4 time for couples, originating in Bohemia in the 19th century and becoming popular in Europe and the U.S.A.polo
A Spanish dance in fast, syncopated 3/4 time with song.polonaise
A stately Polish dance in moderately fast 3/4 time dating from at least the 16th century. Composers include Bach, but the most famous examples are the 13 written by Chopin.polychoral
Term describes the use of several choirs performing both separately and jointly in a composition.polymetry or polymetrical
The combining of different metres simultaneously (e.g. 2/4 against 3/4 or 6/8).polyphony
A style of music in two or more parts in which (as opposed to homophony) each part is independent and of equal importance. Therefore, polyphonic music implies the use of counterpoint, and some of the most important forms are the motet, canon and fugue. Composers include Palestrina, Byrd and Bach.polyrhythm
The systematic use of quite different rhythms sounding simultaneously. Polyrhythmic devices are especially used in the 20th century.polytonality
The use of two or more keys performed simultaneously and employed by Stravinsky, Holst and Milhaud. When only two keys are used, this is referred to as bitonality.pomposo (It.)
In a pompous manner.port a beul (Gael.)
Same as mouth music.portamento (It.)
Carrying sound. On bowed string instruments or in singing, the effect is obtained by gliding from one note to another higher or lower one, without a break in the sound.position
(1) In string playing, the term indicates where on the fingerboard the left hand should be in order to play a passage; (2) In trombone playing, the term indicates how far the slide should be pushed out; (3) In harmony, the term describes the layout of a chord. Here are the common positions of the chord with C major as an example, using the notes C E and G. In root position, the chord of C is played with C (the root of the chord) at the bottom. Infirst inversion, the chord is played with E at the bottom. In second inversion the chord is played with G at the bottom. Therefore, the note at the bottom of the chord determines these positions.postlude
A final piece of a composition.pousse (Fr.)
Up bow as opposed to tire, down bow.pp
Abbreviation for pianissimo, very soft.precipitato, precipitoso (It.)
Impetuously.preciso (It.)
Precise.preclassical
Term describing music before Haydn and Mozart and also (more vaguely) describing music before Bach.prelude
An introductory piece or movement before a fugue, an act of an opera etc. Chopin and other later composers wrote preludes as short, independent piano pieces in one movement.preparation
A harmonic device in which the effect of a discord is softened by first employing the note which actually causes that chord to be discordant, in the previous note with which it is consonant.prepared piano
A 20th century term, coined by John Cage, describing a piano which has been prepared by the insertion of objects between the piano strings for performance (e.g. a piece of cardboard).pressez (Fr.)
Increase speed.prestissimo (It.)
Very fast. Superlative of presto.presto (It.)
Fast. In Mozart's music this means as fast as possible.prima, primo (It.)
First.prima donna (It., 'first lady')
A female singer with the most important part in an opera.prima volta (It.)
First time.
primo (It.) First. (1) Upper part of a piano duet, the lower part being termed sccondo; (2) The first of two or more performers (e.g. violino primo means first violin). (3) Tempo primo indicates that the original speed is to be resumed.primo vomo (It.)
The chief castrato or tenor role, used in the 18th century.principal
(1) The first player of an orchestral section (e.g. the 'principal horn'). (2) In opera, the principal is the singer who performs the main parts, but not the chief ones.programme music
Music which interprets or describes a story, painting, poem, landscape or emotional experience. Opposite of absolute music.progression
The movement from one note or chord to another in music.progressive tonality
The systematic plan of beginning in one key and ending in another in a movement.punta d'arco (It.)
Point of the bow.
quadrille
A French square dance popular in the 19th century. It was in five sections alternating between 6/8 and 2/4 time and performed by two or four couples.quadruple counterpoint
Counterpoint in which four melodies can exchange position.quadruple fugue
A fugue with four different subjects.quadruple stop
A chord of four notes played on a bowed string instrument.quadruplet
A group of four notes to be played in the time of 3.quadruple time
Same as common time consisting of four quarter notes to the bar, written 4/4 or C.quarter note
In 4/4 time, the equivalent of one beat.quartet
A composition for four performers.quasi (It.)
As if, almost.quest opera
An opera in which the principal character undergoes a test or a difficult journey, or experiences hardships before reaching his goal (e.g . Mozart's Magic Flute).quickstep
A modern ballroom dance with quick steps.quintet
A composition for five performers.quintuplet
A group of five notes to be performed in the time of 4.quintuple time
Time with five beats, usually quarter notes, to the bar (e.g. 5/4 time). Not common before the 20th century.quodlibet (Lat., 'what you will')
A piece containing several popular tunes. The composition may be improvised or notated and was especially practised by German composers (e.g. Bach) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
r
Abbreviation of(l) Ray in the tonic sol-fa; (2) Respond.rabbia (It.)
Rage.raddoppiamento (It.)
Doubling. Usually indicates doubling of the bass at an octave below.rall
Abbreviation of rallentando.rallentando (It.)
Getting slower.rant
Describes a wide range of 17th century English dances.rasch (Ger.)
Quick.ratsche (Ger.)
Rattle.real answer
A responding musical phrase (e.g. in a fugue) which exactly reproduces the subject or entry of a theme at the fifth.realisation
The completion of 17th and 18th century harmony by adding a keyboard accompaniment indicated by figured bass.recapitulation
Particularly used in sonata form, this term describes a section of a composition which repeats or approximates themes originally presented in a previous section, which have since been developed.recit
Abbreviation of recitative.recital
A performance by one or two performers.recitative
Generally, this is a style of singing used in opera and oratorio for dialogue and some narrative which is more closely related to dramatic speech in pitch and rhythm than to song. Two main types exist: (1) recitative accompagnato or stromentato which is expressive and accompanied by the orchestra and (2) recitative secco which has only an occasional broken chord from the harpsichord or 'cellos (sometimes with the bass line reinforced by the double bass) and this was the accepted style in 18th and l9th century operas.recueilli (Fr. )
Meditative, collected.redundant entry
In a fugue, this term describes an extra voice in the initial entries or exposition.reel
A fast dance for two or more couples in 2/4 or 4/4 time, found mainly in Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America.refrain
A recurring section of a song (both words and music) at the end of each stanza.register
(1) The division of compass of a singer's voice (e.g. chest register and head register). Also applied to the compass of an instrument (e.g. the chalumeau register of the clarinet); (2) A set of organ pipes controlled by one particular stop.rejouissance (Fr., 'enjoyment')
This title is sometimes found in spirited movements in suites of the baroque period.related
Describes the harmonic relationships of keys (e.g. G major is closely related to D major (its dominant) since there is only the difference of one sharp. See also relative.relative
This term refers to each key signature being shared by two keys (e.g. A minor is the 'relative' minor of C major since they both have no sharps or flats in the key signature. D major is the relative major of B minor since both keys have two sharps in the key signature.repeat
A restatement of a section of a composition usually indicated by repeat marks which consist of a pair of dots and a double bar. When the performer reaches these repeat marks, he then plays from the previous pair of dots, or if there are none, from the beginning.repetiteur (Fr.)
The coach, usually in an opera house, who teaches singers their parts. The repetiteur may also give them cues during the performance.replica (It.)
Repeat.repetition (Fr.)
Rehearsal. Repetition General is the dress rehearsal, often given before a full, but invited audience, in continental opera houses.replica (It.)
Repeat.reprise (Fr.)
(1) Repeat; (2) The recapitulation in sonata form; (3) The return to the first section after contrasting music in the second section in binary form.resolution
In harmony this is the progression from a discord to a concord.respond, responsory
A plainsong chant sung by a chorus alternating with solo verse(s).rest
A silence in a performer's part indicated by symbols corresponding to certain beats.retardation
In harmony this is a suspension which resolves upwards not downwards.retenu (Fr.)
Held back.retrograde motion
A theme which is played backwards. This device was prominent in the Middle Ages in fugues and in 20th century serial music. Retrograde inversion describes a theme played backwards and upside-down.rezitativ (Ger.)
Recitative.rf, rfz
Abbreviations of rinforzando.rh
Abbreviation for right hand.rhapsody
A title given by l9th and 20th century composers to describe works generally in one continuous movement suggestive of neroic, national or other romantic inspiration.riddle canon
A canon in which the cornposer leaves the performer to decide where and at what pitch the following voices make their entries.rigadoon (Eng.), rigaudon (Fr.)
A lively old French dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time.rin
Abbreviation of rinforzando.rinforzando (It.)
Reinforcing. A sudden strong accent on notes or chords. Similar to sforzando.ripieno (It.)
In the old concerto grosso, the ripieno indicates the full body of performers as opposed to the solo group (concertino). Scnza ripieni indicates that the first desks only of the accompanying orchestra are to play.risoluto (It.)
In a resolute manner.risvegliato (It.)
Animated .rit
Abbreviation of ritardando.ritardando (It.)
Becoming slower. Abbreviation is rit.ritenuto (It.)
Held back (tempo). Sometimes used as an equivalent of ritardando.ritmo (It.)
Rhythm.Ritmo di tre battute
The music is to be performed in three bar groupings, implying that the music is so fast there is only one beat to the bar.ritornello (It. 'a little return')
Many meanings, but the following are the most common. (I) In a concerto, it is a passage for the full orchestra without the soloist; (2) In the 14th century Italian madrigal, the ritornello is the closing section; (3) In early opera, it was an instrumental piece.rococo
This term was taken from French culture in the early 18th century, but musically the title for rococo is the style galant used by composers throughout Europe until the late 18th century.roll
A rapid succession of notes on a drum approximating to a continuous sound.romance (Eng. and Fr.), romanze (Ger.), romanza (It.)
The term has been used widely, but it often implies an intimate and Iyrical piece for voice or instrument.romanesca
Evident in the mid-16th and early 17th century, this was a harmonic bass line used for variations.romantic music
A l9th century style expressed by writers, painters and by musicians like Chopin, Liszt, Berlioz, Rossini and Paganini. Characteristics are Iyricism, chromatic harmony, an interest in literature, nationalism, programme music, miniature or character pieces and generally emotional aspects governing the traditional, formal musical structures.rondeau (Fr.)
A type of French medieval song of the 13th to15th centuries with a choral refrain. This French spelling was used in instrumental works of the baroque period to describe rondo.rondo (It.)
Generally, an instrumental composition in which one section recurs at certain times. By the 18th century, a standard pattern had developed as A B A C A D A, etc. appearing as the last movement of a sonata or concerto. The recurring theme A is called the rondo theme and B C D, etc. represent the contrasting sections known as episodes. However, A can be varied. The combination of sonata form and rondo resulted in sonata rondo which was much used by Mozart and Beethoven.root
The lowest or fundamental note of a chord. In the chord C E G, C is the root and the chord is said to be in root position. If the notes are arranged E G C, C is still the root, but the chord would be described as being in first inversion .rota (Lat., 'wheel')
Occasionally this term is used for the round (e.g. of Sumer is Icumen In).round
A short vocal perpetual canon in which voices enter in turn to sing a melody at the octave or at the same pitch (e.g. Row, row, row your boat).rubato (It., 'robbed')
An indication to play notes with a controlled flexibility of time by getting slightly quicker or slower. Much used in l9th century music.rumba
A fast, syncopated and suggestive Afro-Cuban dance in 2/4 time, divided into eight beats. Became popular in the ballroom and jazz in the 1930s.
saltarello or salterello (It.)
A quick Italian dance in 6/8 time similar to the tarantella with a characteristic jumping feel to the rhythm. Examples date from the 14th century.samba
A quick, highly syncopated Brazilian carnival song danced usually in 2/4 time in a circle with a standard call and response between lead singer and chorus. The ballroom version is danced in couples and is more sedate.sarabande
A slow and stately dance in 3/2 or 3/4 time, usually in binary form and one of the standard elements of the suite.sardana (Sp.)
A Catalonian national dance performed to pipes and drums, often in sections. Similar to the farandole.satz (Ger.)
A setting. (1) A musical setting; (2) A movement in a composition; (3) Style (e.g. freier satz, free style; (4) A theme or subject.scale
A progression of single notes in ascending or descending order. A scale may be described as major, minor, chromatic, diatonic, pentatonic, twelve-note or a mode.scena (It., 'stage' or 'scene')
(1) A scene in an opera consisting of an extended aria of dramatic nature; (2) A dramatic concert piece for solo voice with accompaniment.scherzando (It.)
Playfully, light-hearted.scherzetto or scherzino (It.)
A short scherzo.scherzo (It., 'joke')
Generally this is a lively movement, but chiefly developed by Haydn, Mozart and particularly Beethoven from the symphonic minuet. Usually it is in 3/4 time in the form A A B A with the B section being called trio.schlag (Ger.)
Beat.schleppen (Ger.)
To drag. Schleppend, dragging.schluss (Ger.)
End.schlussel (Ger.)
Clef.schnell (Ger.)
Fast. Schneller, quicker.schottische (Ger. plural, 'Scottish')
A popular l9th century ballroom dance similar to the polka.schmetternd (Ger., 'blaring' )
An indication to horn players to use a harsh brassy tone.schrittmassig or schrittweise (Ger.)
Stepwise, at a walking pace and equivalent of andante.schwach (Ger.)
Weak, soft.schwindend (Ger.)
Dying away, fading.schwung (Ger.)
Swing. Schwungvol, spirited.scoop
To slide up to a note in singing instead of hitting it accurately.score
Notated music of all performers' parts combined in an ordered form in which each part appears vertically above another. A piano score is one in which all orchestral or even vocal parts are reduced to a piano part. A miniaturce or pocket score reproduces all parts and details of the full score but is of a size more suitable for study.scorrevole (It.)
Scurrying, rapid.Scotch snap
A rhythmic figure consisting of a short note on the beat followed by a longer one held until the next beat. Found in Scottish music but also in other folk music.Scriabin,Aleksandr
Russian Composer (1872-1915)sec (Fr., 'dry')
An indication that a note or chord is to be played sharply.secco
This word is associated with recitative.secondary dominant
This describes the dominant of the dominant .segno (It.)
Sign. Dal segno, from the sign. This means the performer must repeat the passage from the appropriate sign.segue (It., 'it follows')
An indication that the performer should go straight on to the next section without a break.seguidilla (Sp.)
A quick Spanish dance with singing in 3/4 time often with castanets and similar to the bolero.sehr (Ger.)
Very.semitone
The smallest interval commonly used in European music. On the piano this is represented by the interval between any note and the next note which may be higher or lower.semplice (It.)
Simple, simply.sempre (It.)
Always. Sempre piu mosso, always getting faster.senza (It.)
Without.septet
(1) A group of seven performers which may consist of instrumentalists or singers; (2) A composition for seven performers which, if for instrumentalists, will have the character of a sonata in several movements.septuplet
A group of seven notes to be played in the time of 4 or 6.sequence
Generally, this is a phrase repeated at a higher or lower interval. A real sequence is one in which the repeated phrase intervals are unaltered. A tonal sequcnce is one in which the repeated phrase is modified to prevent a key change.serenade
A vague term with two main meanings: (1) A romantic love song, properly performed in the night air accompanied by mandolin or guitar in order to woo a girl; (2) Evening entertainment (especially 18th century) comprising a set of instrumental movements for chamber orchestra or wind group similar to the divertimento. The German equivalent is nachtmusik.serial music
Also known as twelve-tone music, twelve-note music and dodecaphonic music. This is a 20th century concept mostly developed by Schonberg. A twelve-note theme is fixed upon, with each note being used once. This is known as the tone row or series. Thereafter it can appear in four main ways: forwards, backwards (retrograde), upside down (inversion), and upside down and backwards (retrograde inversion). The series can appear and begin on any one of the twelve pitches and more than one note of the series can be used simultaneously to form a chord. Serialism mostly forms the basis of a work, however, and other composers include Berg and Webern. Serialism is a feature of expressionism.sextolet
A group of six notes to be peformed in the time of 4.sfogato(It., 'evaporated')
Light and airy playing. The term was used by Chopin.sforzando, sforzato (It.)
With a forced manner (of a note or chord). Abbreviation is sf.shake
Alternative name for trill.shanty
A sailors' work song with solo verses (often of an extemporised nature) and chorus matching certain rhythmical movements (e.g. pulling a rope together).sharp
A rise in pitch which may be a semitone, or a description of someone singing or playing sharp unintentionally. A double sharp indicates a rising of the pitch by two semitones.sight-reading or sight-singing
The reading or singing of music at sight(e.g. music which has not been seen before). A traditional element in music examinations.signature
See key signature and time signature. A signature tune is played by a dance band or orchestra as a means of identification of a television or radio programme, etc.similar motion
Two melodies moving together in the same direction.simile (It., 'similar')
Indicates that a phrase, etc. is to be performed in the same manner as the previous one.simple time
Time in which each beat is divisible by two (e.g. 2/4, 4/4, 3/4 and in which each beat is a quarter note).sinfonia
Small orchestras currently perform under this name. Originally the title described an instrumental piece in the baroque era such as the prelude, overture to an opera, cantata or suite.sinfonia concertante (It.)
Haydn and Mozart's preferred title to concerto for an orchestral work with more than one solo parts.sinfonie or symphonie (Ger.)
Symphony.sinfonietta (It.)
A shorter, lighter symphony. Also sometimes used as a performing name for small orchestras.singspiel (Ger., 'play with singing')
Generally the singspiel is a comic opera with spoken dialogue in the local dialect instead of recitative. An example is Mozart's The Magic Flute (1791). In the early l9th century the style combined with German romantic opera and later came to be known simply as 'German musical comedy'.sinistra (It.)
Left hand.sitz-probe (Ger.)
An opera term for a 'sitting rehearsal' when all performers sing through the roles while sitting down, with the accompaniments played by the orchestra.six-four chord
The chord containing the sixth and fourth intervals from the bass note. Also known as the second inversion (e.g. the 6/4 chord G C E is the second inversion of C E G.sixteenth note
one fourth of a quarter note.six-three chord
The chord containing the sixth and third intervals from the bass note. Same as first inversion of a triad.slentando (It.)
Becoming slower.slide
Device on some brass instruments, used principally on the trombone, for altering the length of the tube, and therefore the notes produced.slur
A curved line grouping notes together, indicating that they be joined smoothly in performance (eg. sung in one breath or played with one stroke of the bow, etc.).smorzando (It.)
Dying away.soave (It.)
Sweetly, tenderly.soft pedal
The left foot pedal on a piano lessening the volume.sol-fa
An English system of notation and sight reading mainly devised by J.S. Curwen in the 1840s. The notes of the major scale are named in ascending order: doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te, doh. Doh is the tonic, or keynote, but is not at any fixed pitch.solfeggio (It.), solfege (Fr.)
Ear-training by singing exercises to sol-fa syllables. More advanced forms are sung to vowels known as vocalizzi (lt.) or vocalises (Fr.).solo (It., 'alone')
A piece or passage for one performer. A solo concerto is a concerto for one main performer with the others merely accompanving.soltanto (It.)
Solely .sonata
(1) Before 1750 this described any composition for a solo instrument or for one or more instruments accompanied by continuo and not in any strict form; (2) Since 1750 (e.g. the classical period onwards) the sonata became a three or four movement work for solo instrument or for solo instrument with piano accompaniment. A similar work for three performers (often two violins and 'cello) is called a trio sonata. A violin sonata or 'cello sonata, etc. implies a piano accompaniment. The form of the first movement of the sonata was a feature and it became known as sonata form.sonata da camera or chamber sonata
The term was applied to a work (e.g.by Corelli) from the 17th century, written usually for strings and keyboard background in several contrasting movements resembling dances from a suite preceded by a prelude.sonata da chiesa (It., 'church sonata')
Similar to sonata da camera and in several movements but of a graver nature avoiding dance movements. Mostly trio sonatas, Corelli's examples have four contrasting movements, slow-fast- slow-fast .sonata form
Also called first movement form and compound binary form. This structure is most used since 1750 for the first movements and sometimes slow and final movements of a sonata, quartet, symphony or overture. The form is divided into three distinct sections (sometimes after a slow introduction). (1) The exposition presents the first main subject in the home key, and a contrasting second subject in another key, which is generally the dominant if in a major key, or relative major if in a minor key. A closing theme is then heard related to the first subject, and brought to an end with a codetta. (2) The development consists of material already presented but expanded and developed upon. (3) The recapitulation presents a varied repetition of the exposition, now influenced by the development section and ending in the tonic key. The codetta now develops into a coda.sonata rondo
A combination of sonata form and rondo form. In a rondo the five sections are A B A C A. In sonata rondo these become A B A C A B plus coda in which A becomes the first subject, B becomes the second subject and C becomes the development section. This form was rnuch used by Beethoven.sonatina (It.), sonatine (Fr.)
A little sonata. Shorter, lighter and generally easier to play than a sonata.song cycle
A set of songs performed in its entirety and set to words by a single poet. Beethoven wrote the first example in 1816. In the romantic era, however, Schumann and Schubert used traditional German popular song combined with more imaginative accompaniment to illuminate and interpret words in a romantic way. An example is Die Winterreisce ('Winter Journey') composed in 1828 by Schubert.song form
A title given to the basic A B A form or ternary form as used in an instrumental slow movement. However, this is rather vague and is best avoided since not every song is in this form.sonore (Fr.), sonoro (It.)
With full tone.sons bouches (Fr.)
Stopped notes on the horn.sons etouffes (Fr.)
Damped sound. Mostly found in harp music indicating that the performer should dampen vibrations immediately after plucking, to produce a 'dry' sound.sopra (It., 'above')
Usually found in piano music indicating that one hand has to pass over the other.soprano
Highest female voice with range approximately extending from middle C to two octaves above that. Boy trebles can also achieve this range. The term is also applied to some instruments (e.g. soprano saxophone).sordino (It.)
Mute. (1) Of a string or wind instrument, con sordino or con sordini means with mute(s). Senza sordino or senza sordini means without mutes; (2) In piano playing scnza sordini indicates that dampers are to be raised and the performer is to use the sustaining, or right pedal. Alternative and more common term is ped.sostenuto (It.)
Sustained, in a smooth manner. The sostenuto pedal on the piano is the middle pedal, only fitted on more expensive instruments. This enables the performer to select notes he wishes to be sustained.sotto voce (It.)
Whispered, barely audible. This term is applicable to both instrumental and vocal music.soubrette(Fr., 'cunning')
In opera or operetta, this often describes a soprano singing the role of a shrewd, rather pert servant girl.soutenu (Fr.)
Sustained and flowing.speech-song
See sprechgesang.spianato (It.)
Smooth.splccato (It.)
Clearly articulated. This term is used in string playing for a light, staccato touch created by playing with the middle of the bow and a loose wrist.spieltenor (Ger.)
A light tenor voice in opera.spinto (It.)
Urged on, pushed.spirito, spiritoso (It.)
Spirit, spirited.spiritual
A type of rcligious Arnerican Negro folksong with a call and response pattern.sprechgesang (Ger. )
Speechsong. Voice delivery midway between song and speech, used mostly by Schonberg although he preferred the terms sprechstimme (speaking voice), sprechmelodic (speech melody) or rezitation.stabreim (Ger.)
Alliteration. This term describes the alliterative verse used by Wagner in his music dramas.staccato (It., 'detached')
The note is performed shorter than normal. A dash beneath or above the note indicates that the note is to be played as short as possible. A dot means the note is to be short. The superlative is staccatissimo.staff or stave
The set of five horizontal lines and spaces on which music is written. Leger lines are used for notes above and below the staff.stark (Ger.)
Loud, strong.stentando (It.)
Labouring, holding back on each note.stile (It.)
Style.stopping
(I) On stringed instruments, this is the placing of the left hand fingers on the strings to shorten the vibrating length and to raise the pitch. The terms double stopping, triple stopping, etc. refer to two or three notes simultaneously being played this way; (2) In horn playing, this is the insertion of the hand into the bell of the instrument to alter the pitch and tone quality of a note.strascinando (It.)
Dragging.strathspey
A Scottish dance related to the reel with a slower tempo and characteristic rhythms with four beats to the bar.strepitoso (It.)
Noisy.stretto (It.)
Drawn together, close; (1) Indication to quicken pace. (2) In a fugue, the term describes the overlapping of the entries when the subject begins in one voice before the preceding entry has finished.strich (Ger.)
A bow stroke.stringendo (It., 'tightening')
A heightening of tension in the music which in effect means an increase in speed.string orchestra
Solely a string band as opposed to a wind or brass brand, normally consisting of first and second violins, violas, 'cellos and double basses.string quartet
A string group consisting of two violins, viola and 'cello.stromentato (It.)
Played by instruments.strophic
Term describes a song which uses the same music for each verse.stuck (Ger.)
A composition, piece.study or etude (Fr.)
Music designed to improve a specific branch of technique by practice. Chopin and Clementi, however, wrote many of artistic merit.sturm und drang (Ger., 'storm and stress')
The powerful romantic expressiveness sweeping Austrian and German music in the 1760s and 1770s was so called. Especially evident in Haydn's symphonies of that time.style galant (Fr.), galanter stil (Ger.)
The musical equivalent of the rococo style in painting. The term described the homophonic but ornamented French and Italian music between 1730 and 1770 written by Couperin and D. Scarlatti. It contrasted with the German contrapuntal style.sub-dominant
The name for the fourth degree of the scale (e.g. F in the scale of C major) or the triad built on that degree.subito (It.)
Suddenly.subject
A group of notes or a theme forming a basic element or idea in a composition by repetition and development.sub-mediant
The sixth degree of the scale (e.g. A in the scale of C major) or a triad built on that degree.suite (Fr., 'a following')
Commonly describes an instrumental piece in several movements consisting of a sequence of dances. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the suite included the characteristic dance forms allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue. In the mid-18th century, the binary form feature of the dances was developed into sonata form. The sonata and also the symphony then became the chief instrumental forms. In the l9th and 20th centuries the term describes a lighter work than a sonata. A suite may also describe a set of movements assembled from a ballet or opera score.suivez (Fr., 'follow')
(1) Go staight on to the next section or movement without a break; (2) An indication to an accompanist to follow any changes in tempo made by the soloist.sul ponticello (It.)
A bowing indication for string players to play near the bridge to achieve a brittle tone.sul tasto (It.)
A bowing indication to string players to play near or above the fingerboard, producing a 'colourless' tone.supertonic
The second degree of the scale (e.g. D in the scale of C major) or the triad built on that degree.sur la touche (Fr.)
Same as sul tasto.suspension
A harmonic device in which a note in a chord is kept sounding while another chord is played to form a discord. This discord is resolved by the prolonged note usually falling or rising to a note forming part of the new chord.sustaining pedal
The right pedal on the piano which raises the felt dampers allowing the strings to vibrate freely.symphonia
A Greek word taken into Latin and sometimes used in modern contexts to describe a work equivalent to a symphony.symphonic poem
Also known as programme music or tone poem, this is a mid-19th century term introduced by Liszt to describe an orchestral piece influenced by a non-musical theme (e.g. Iiterature, art or emotions).symphony
Generally a four movement, serious and large scale sonata-like orchestral work involving a first movement, second movement, minuet and trio and finale. The first movement is often in sonata form, and this structure may also be evident in the slow movement and finale. This four-movement form became standard around 1760 with Mozart and Haydn but the number of movements may vary.syncopation
Emphasis on the off-beat and a characteristic of jazz styles.
tablature
The notation in diagrams of guitar chords in pop music. Previously, it represented a method of notation involving symbols denoting the positions of the performer's fingers (e.g. for the lute.tacet (Lat ., 'silent ')
An indication that a performer or instrument has no part in a particular movement or section.tafelmusik (Ger., 'table music')
Music suitable for social gatherings (e.g. for performance after or during a dinner).talcon (Fr.)
The end of the bow (held by the player).tango
An Argentinian dance in moderately slow time with syncopated rhythms, appearing in European and American ballrooms around World War I.tanto (It.)
So much. Allegro non tanto, not too fast.tanz (Ger.)
Dance.tarantella (It.)
A very fast Italian dance with alternating major and minor key sections in 6/8 time.tardo (It.)
Slow.tedesco (It., 'German')
Alla tedesca, in the German fashion, usually implying music to be played in the style of a German dance.tema (It.)
Theme.temperament
The system of tuning intervals in order to fit them for practicable performance. The piano, organ and other fixed instruments are tuned to equal temperament which means that each semitone is made an equal interval so that (e.g. G sharp and A flat are the same).tempo (It.)
Time, pace.temps (Fr.)
Beat.ten.
Abbreviation of (1) tenor and (2) tenuto.tenendo (It.)
Sustaining.teneramente (It.)
Tenderly.tenor
(1) Adult male voice between bass and alto; (2) Part above the bass in a four part vocal composition in SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass); (3) In sacred polyphonic music before 1450, this was the lowest melodic part upon which the composition was based; (4) A prefix to an instrument (e.g. tenor saxophone indicating the size between alto and bass).tenor clef
The C clef on the fourth line.tenuto (It.)
A held or sustained note (of a single note or chord) where one might expect to play staccato. Abbreviation is ten.ternary form
A composition in three sections in the form A B A with the first section (A) being repeated (not necessarily exactly). B represents a different middle section.tessitura (It., 'texture')
The natural compass of a singer's voice, or simply the compass of a vocal or instrumental part in a composition.theme
A melodic group of notes forming the basis or chief idea in a composition by repetition or development. In musical analysis it is equated with subject. The term theme and variations describes a long musical statement which is developed.thorough bass
Same as continuo.tie
In musical notation this is a line joining two adjacent notes of the same pitch together, indicating that the first note only should be played but should be prolonged until the second note's time value is up.tierce de picardie or picardie third
This is the surprise sounding of a major third as the final chord in a piece otherwise in the minor key. Common until the mid-18th century .time
This describes the basic rhythmical patterns in music (e.g. 6/8 time or 4/4 time). Also march time, waltz time, etc.time signature
The sign of figures at the beginning of a composition or section or movement indicating the number and kind of beats to the bar (e.g. 3/4 indicates 3 beats to the bar, with the number 4 signifying that the basic beat is a quarter note).toccata (from Italian toccare, 'to touch')
Generally a solo instrumental piece involving rapid changes of notes to demonstrate the player's touch. Often the toccata is followed by a fugue (e.g. Toccata and Fugue in D minor).ton (Fr.)
In various contexts this term may mean either note, tone or key.ton (Ger.)
Note or sound (not the interval of a tone, i.e. two semitones).tonada (Sp.)
Tune, air.Tonadilla
Spanish stage entertainment involving a few singers.tonal answer
In a fugue, for example, after the first entry has been stated there is an answer (or second statement at a different pitch). If this answer is slightly modified to keep the music within a certain key, then this is a tonal answer and the fugue a tonal fugue. This is the opposite of real answer.tonality
Observance of a single key. Atonality, lack of key. Polytonality, the simultaneous use of several keys.tone
(1) The interval consisting of two semitones (e.g. C to D); (2) The quality of sound of an instrument.Tone-row or twelve-tone
Refers to serial or twelve-note music (eg. music by Schonberg).tone cluster
A 20th century concept of playing an adjacent group of notes on a piano simultaneously by applying the forearm, fist or piece of wood to the keyboard.tone-colour, timbre (Fr.), lclangfarbe (Ger.)
This is the characteristic quality of an instrument's or voice's tone. In basic terms it is the quality which distinguishes a note performed on one instrument compared with the same note sounded on an other instrument or sung by a voice The tone colour of an instrument corresponds with the harmonics of that instrument.tone poem
Same as symphonic poem.tone row
An ordered melodic theme in serial or 12-tone music.tonic
The first degree of the scale or a triad built on that degree.tosto (It.)
Quick, rapid.tranquillo (It.)
Calm.transition
(1) A subordinate passage serving as a link to another more important one. (2) A sudden change of key not going through the normal procedures referred to as modulation.transposition
The writing down or performing of music in a different key from the original.Transposing instruments
Instruments that produce different notes than those written in concert pitch.traurig (Ger.)
Sad.treble
(1) Treble clef. G clef on the second line; (2) Prefix to an instrument of high pitch within a family (e.g. treble recorder).tre corde (It.)
Indication to pianists that the left (soft) pedal is to be released.tremblement (Fr.)
Trill.tremolando (It., 'trembling')
Employing tremolo.tremolo (It.)
(I) The rapid reiteration of a single note. (2) The rapid alteration between two or more notes.tremulant
Organ device of producing a vibrato effect by alternately increasing and decreasing the wind pressure.trepak
A lively Cossack dance in 2/4 time.triad
A three-note chord (e.g. C E G with E and G being a third and fifth above the lowest note C).trill
A musical ornament consisting of rapid alternation starting with the written note and then the note above. In the 17th and 18th centuries the trill started with the note above and then the note below. Also known as shake.trinklied (Ger.)
Drinking song.trio
(1) A vocal or instrumental piece for three performers (e.g. a piano trio - piano, violin and 'cello); (2) The middle section of a minuet or scherzo. Originally this was written in three-part harmony and the title remained.trio sonata
A composition usually for two violins and a 'cello, with a keyboard playing the bass line and supporting harmonies. Much favoured in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.triple concerto
A concerto for three solo instruments with orchestra.triple counterpoint
Invertible counterpoint in which three parts can be interchanged, each making a suitable bass for the other.triple stop
The playing of three notes simultaneously on a stringed instrument by the placing of the left hand fingers on the strings and shortening the vibrating length.triplet
A group of three notes played in the time of 2.triple time
Time consisting of three beats to the bar (e.g. 3/4, 3/2, 3/8).triple tonguing
The rapid articulation of T-K-T on a wind instrument. This is difficult to do on reed instruments.tritone
The interval of three tones (e.g. F to B).tronco (It., 'truncated')
A note broken off abruptly especially in vocal music.troppo (It.)
Too much.tuning
set the temperament of an instrument.turca, alla (It.)
In the Turkish style.turn
A musical ornament turning around a note starting with the note bove.tutte le corde (It.)
Indication to pianist to release the left-hand pedal.tutti (It.)
Generally this term means 'all the players' (e.g. in a concerto). The expression is used when the orchestra is playing without the soloist. In choral works tutti means chorus as opposed to soloists, or full chorus as opposed to semi-chorus.twelve note
See serial music.twelve tone
American term for serial music
uber (Ger.)
Over, above.ubung (Ger.)
Exercise.umkehrung (Ger.)
Inversion, reversal.umore (It.)
Humour. Con umore, with humour.una corda (It.)
Indication to pianists to use the left (soft) pedal to reduce the volume.unlson
The sound of two or more voices singing simultaneously at the same pitch. Unison song, a song for several people all singing the same tune.unruhig (Ger.)
Restless.unter (Ger.)
Under, lower.upbeat
The upward movement of a conductor's hand or baton, especially indicating the beat before the main accent in a bar of music.up-bow
A bow stroke on stringed instruments from point to heel. See bowing and down-bow.utility music or gebrauchmusik (Ger.)
Hindemith's term for works (mainly in the 1920s) intended to be closer to the public and directed to a social or educational purpose, utilising idioms in everyday use. Gebrauchmusik was represented in many forms, including music written to be played by anyone.
valse (Fr.)
Waltz.vamp
Generally this means to improvise a song accompaniment.variation
The modification or development of a theme, passage or figure with the theme always remaining recognizable.vc
Abbreviation for cello.verismo (It.)
Realism. Particularly applied to Italian opera around 1900 with its violent and contemporary leanings.verschiebung (Ger.)
Indication to pianists to use the soft (left) pedal.vibrato
A rapid but minute fluctuation in pitch to give an expressive quality to a note (e.g. by a violinist's oscillations of the left hand). The degree and style is related to the intensity of feeling in the music.vide (Fr.)
Empty. Cordc a vide, open string.vif (Fr.)
Lively.virtuoso
A performer with brilliant technique and exceptional skill.vite (Fr.)
Fast.vivace (It.)
Lively .vivo (It.)
Lively.vla
Abbreviation for viola.vocalise (Fr.)
A wordless composition for performance (e.g. in an opera or as an exercise for solo voice).voce (It.)
Voice.volante (It.)
Fast and light.volta (It.)
Time. (1) The terms prima volta (first time) and seconda volta (second time) are used when a section of a composition, or the composition, is to be repeated with some change in the final bar(s) indicated by these words and horizontal brackets; (2) A lively dance in 6/8 time popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in which men swing women high in the air.volti (It.)
Turn over (the page) quickly. Volti subito, turn quickly.voluntary
(1) Generally a free style keyboard piece; (2) An organ solo played before and after an Anglican service.vorschlag (Ger.)
An appoggiatura.vorspiel (Ger.)
A prelude.
waltz
A slow or fast dance in triple time with the characteristic one beat and one chord in the bar. The waltz became universally popular in the 19th century with Viennese composers.waltzer (Ger.)
Waltz.whole note
Equivalent of four quarter notes (in 4/4 time, 4 beats).whole tone
(I) The interval consisting of two semitones (e.g. C to D).wiegenlied (Ger.)
Cradle song.wuchtig (Ger.)
Heavy, weighty.
XXX
No meaning
YYY
No meaning
zart (Ger.)
Tender.Zarthcit (Ger.)
tenderness.Zartlich (Ger.)
tenderly.zaruela (Sp.)
Spanish traditional stage entertainment with satirical spoken dialogue.zeitmass (Ger.)
Tempo.ziemlich (Ger.)
Rather.ziemlich langsam (Ger.)
Rather slow.zingarese, alla (It.)
In the style of gypsy music.zoppa(It., 'limp')
Term describes music with a prominent Scotch snap or syncopation.zuruckhaltend (Ger.)
Holding back, slowing down.zwischenspiel (Ger.)
An interlude or episode (e.g. in a fugue or rondo).
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