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Music Dictionary
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A

a
in (Italic)
a cappella
Unaccompanied vocal music. (means: in the church style)
a capriccio
Tempo and expression as performer wishes
a piacere
Playing as the player wishes and according to his or her taste (like "ad libitum")
Absolute music
Instrumental music without any extra-musical association. The opposite of program music
Abstract music
Instrumental music without any extra-musical association. The opposite of program music
Accelrando
Getting gradually faster. Becoming quicker and quicker
Accent
Emphasize a note. Playing with emphasis
Accidentals
The signs used to change the pitch of a note (flat, sharp) or to return it to its normal pitch (natural). Their effect lasts through the remainder of the measure
Accord
Chord. Three or more tones sounded at the same time
Accordion
Acoustics
The theory of sound. The Physics of the sound - its source, the physical rules controlling it, etc.
Adagietto
Slightly faster than adagio. Rather slow
Adagio
Very Slow and calm tempo. Faster than largo. Slower than andante
Adagissimo
Very very Slow
Adagio un poco mosso
slow, but moving forward
Ad libitum, (ad lib.)
As the player or conductor wishes - he may decide whether to skip or perform a part of the musical piece, play rapidly, differently from what is indicated or improvise freely
Agitato
agitated
Agnus dei
The fifth part (means "Lamb of God") from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.
Air
Simple tune for voice or instrument. See also Aria
Al fine
To the end
Alla Breve
two minim beats. Counting in half notes rather than the quarter notes
Allargando
Slow down
Allegretto
lively, slighly slower than Allegro
Allegro
fast, cheerful
Allegro assai
very fast
Allegro non troppo
fast, but not too much
Allemande
A German festive dance found in a suite since the 18th century. Usually in duple meter and binary form
Alto, Alt
a) Lowest female singing voice
b) Viola sound
c) High
Amplitude
A term in acoustics representing sound intensity in the string's rate of vibration
Andante
walking speed, moderately slow
Andante maestoso
Walking majestically
Andante ma non troppo
Walking but not too fast
Andantino
slightly faster than Andante
Andantino cantabile
moderately slow, singing
Andantino grazioso
gracefully, moderately slow
Anima Soul
With deep feelings
Animato
Lively, in a vivid manner
Anthem
A song of praise or loyalty. A Christian hymn
Antiphonal, antiphone
Singing in a form of answering. It is a chant in which two choirs (or a soloist and a choir) sing alternately. This kind of singing was commonplace in the synagogue and the Christian church. It can be found today in African and Middle Eastern music.
Appasionato
With passion, with enthusiasm
Appoggiatura
Neighboring tone. Playing next to the note
Aquinaldo
A style of Puerto Rican folk music
Arco
Play with the bow (in string instruments). This direction is opposite to pizzicato.
Aria
Simple tune for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment. Usually found in opera or oratorio
Arpeggio
The playing of a chord with its notes sounded out in succession (one after another), rather than simultaneously
Ars antiqua (Latin: old art)
A style of European music of the 13th century. It was particularly associated with composers of the Parisian school, such as Perotin and Leonin, and characterized by the use of complex forms of organum. It was succeeded by ars nova.
Ars nova (Latin: new art)
A style of European music of the 14th century, which succeeded 'Ars antiqua'. Its greatest French exponents were Machaut and Dufay. The name was taken from the title of a treatise by Philippe de Vitry, which redefined the principles for the motets composition and the notation of complex rhythms.
Art song
A song of serious artistic intent written by a trained composer, as distinct from a folk song
Assai
Quite ..., rather ...
Atonal, atonality
Music with no key (tonal center). 20th century genre
Atempo
Return to the original tempo
Attack
The start of a note or a phrase
Autodidact
A person who studies by himself





B

Bacchanalia
Drunken singing, a wine song
Backbeat
The accentuation of beats two and four; usually found in the genres of rhythm and blues
BagatelleMusical notes
A miniature instrumental piece. Its form is usually ternary: a-b-a
Bagpipes
An originally Scottish wind instrument mainly used for folk music and military orchestras
Ballad
A simple narrative song
Ballade
A medieval French poetic song
Ballata
A medieval polyphonic form of Italian song and poetry
Ballet
Artistic dancing. Presenting a stage plot including dance and motion, usually accompanied by music
Banjo
Barcarola
An Italian sailor chant, in the style of gondola sailors in Venice, characterized by a 6/8 rocking rhythm
Baritone
A masculine voice higher than the bass and lower than the tenor
Baroque
A period in the history of music (from the early 17th century to the mid 18th century). In this time Bach, Vivaldi, Handel and other composers lived and worked
Bass
The lowest voice in music. In vocal music it is the lower part in the men's voices
Basso continuo
Figured bass. A system in which one indicates harmony to a musical piece by numbers near the bass part. During the Baroque period, a harpsichord or an organ supplied chords for the basso continuo part. Since the late 18th century, the keyboard's role in filling in the harmonies was taken by the horns, since the basso continuo fell out of use and the keyboard was dropped out.
Bassoon
Beat
The basic time unit of a piece. The "pulse" unit the conductor indicates to the orchestra
Bebop
Complex jazz style developed in the early 1940s by saxophonist Charlie Parker, pianist Thelonious Monk and trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie. This school of jazz believed in innovation in harmony, rhythm and apects of performance practice. The bebop is characterized by improvised solo performances in dissonant and complex patterns, often by accentuation of the second and fourth beats in each four-four measures and by the twelve-bar “blues” phrase structure, and sometimes by the singing of nonsense syllables.
Bemol
Flat (French)
Benedictus
The conclusion (means "blessed") of the Sanctus from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.
Big Band
A jazz band usually made up of 3 groups (brass, woodwind & percussion) that played music for dancing. During the 1920s and the 1940s Big Band were most popular in the USA and the Western world.
Blues
The music of sorrow and suffering of African Americans, both vocal and instrumental. The most persistent characteristic of the blues is a twelve-measure pattern and a slow tempo and the name is related to the “blue notes,” i.e., the third and seventh scale degrees which are used either as natural or flatted.
Bolero
A Spanish 3/4 meter dance
Bongos
Bourree
A vivid French dance in 4/4
Brace
A bracket connecting several staves and notes which will be played together
Breve, brevis
Eight quarter-notes. The time duration used in Ancient Time, and its meaning: a note of a double length of a whole note: semibreve
Brio
Energetically, vividly
Burlesque
A humorous musical movement







C

Caccia
Chase, hunt, a two-voice canon form in which the voices chase each other
Cacophony
Grating, unpleasant music
Cadence
A melodic or harmonic (of chords) succession providing the sensation of conclusion
Cadenza
A section integrated in a concerto, in which the soloist can demostrate his or her ability as a virtuoso
Calando
Decrease both tempo and volume
Calma, calmato, calmando, calmato, calmo
Calm, calmly, quietening, relaxed
Canon, cannon
A polyphonic piece in which the exact same tune is played or sung by several voices one after another. The first voice opens, and several notes after, the second voice begins, and so forth.
Cantabile
In a singing-like manner
CantataJ.S. Bach - Cantata No. 208
A work for a choir and an orchestra, either religious or secular. Mostly written in the Baroque. Consisting of a number of movements (four to six or more) such as arias, recitatives, duets, and choruses. Bach was the most prominent of the cantata writers.
Cantilanera
Singing without instrumental accompaniment
Cantilena
A little song or vocal piece
Cantillatio, cantillation
Recited singing with no definite rhythm, in free rhythm
Cantino
A song or poem from the Middle Ages designated for singing outdoors
Canto
The instrument or voice with the melody. Melody. Song. The highest part
Cantus figuratus
Singing with trills on each syllable (as in church music)
Cantus firmus
A given tune. A tune on the basis of which polyphonic pieces used to be written. In Latin: "fixed song".
Canzona, canzone
a. An Italian secular song from the 16th century
b. Late renaissance instrumental form using imitation between voices, which developed from Franco-Flemish chansons
Capo
Beginning
Capriccio
This term has different interpretations. Among which: a free form instrumental, brilliant composition
Cassazione, cassatio
Instrumental work meant to be played outdoors
Castanetas
Castrato
Unique (castrated) singers who sang in high voices in 18th century operas, and on the other hand never participated in parents' night at school
Cello
Cha cha cha
A social dance from Cuba that was very popular in the 1950s
Chaconne
A piece built on a bass pattern repeated again and again (like the passacaglia) Formerly a slow Spanish dance in a 3/4 metre.
Chanson
A secular French song. That was the term used for solo songs of troubadours and trouvers, who sang in medieval times, with an instrumentally improvised accompaniment
Chanting
Singing
Chardash
A Hungarian dance influenced by Gypsy dances. Its structure is binary, and it includes two contrasted sections: one slow and melancholy, and the second rhythmical and energetic
Choir
Group of singers
Choral
A hymn tune performed in the German Protestant church. Usually accompanied by an organ and sung in several different voices. Bach often includes chorals in the end of his cantatas
Chord
Three or more tones sounded at the same time
Chromatics, chromaticism
Using notes that are not diatonic (sounds augmented or diminished by a sharp or flat, respectively). Using raised or lowered notes; chromaticism often serves to heighten the emotional tension of music
Clarinet
Clef
A sign written at the beginning of every musical line (stave), marking the pitch of every note
Cluster
Group of notes a second apart that are played simultaneosly
Coda
Tail, an addition, the ending of a movement or a piece, in the form of a short supplementary musical section.
Codetto
The intermediate coda at the end of the exposition in sonata form
Col arco
Play with the bow - indicating the violinist to go back to playing with the bow after pizzicato (plucking)
Col legno del arc
A direction to the violinist to play with the bow's wooden backside (bow-stick)
Coloratura, coloration
Singing with ornamentation, fast, viruoso-like vocal
Comodo
Leisurely, with no stress, comfortably
Composer
Writer of music
Composition
Written music. The creation of an art piece
Con
with
Exmples:
Con fuoco
with fire
Con motto
In motion
Con ottava
Play with the octave
Con spirito
spirited, with spirit
Concertante
Orchestrated as a concerto
Concertino
a. The lesser orchestra in a concerto grosso (where two groups play - a small one versus a big one)
b. A short concerto, simpler than the ordinary concerto
Concerto
A piece in which one or more instrumentalists play solo with an orchestra
Concerto grosso, concerti grossi
A baroque concerto that uses a full orchestra (ripieno) and a group of soloists (concertino)
Conductor
Conductus
A medieval polyphonic composition, whose source is not in the Gregorian chant but a different text, Latin songs of varied forms and content
Congas
Consonance
Agreeable, satisfactory, a compatible combination of notes sounding together, which the ear finds as easy for listening
Consort
A small instrumental ensemble; the term was used in the 16th and 17th centuries
Contra-alto
Alto. The lowest of women's voices
Contrabass
Another term for a double bass, or bass viol
Counter-dance
An English dance (also transferred to France and Germany), in which couples would dance one facing the other. A cheerful, even meter dance
Counterpoint, contrapunt
The art of adding voices to the given tune, so they would fit strict rules. Appears from the 14th century and on. Its meaning: point versus point
Courante
A quick, triple metre, French dance. Became one of the four standard movements of the suite
Credo
The third part (means "I believe") from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.
Crescendo..............................cresc.
Gradually sing or play louder
Cymbals




D

Da Capo..............................D.C.
From the beginning, Go back to beginning (direction)
D.C. al Coda
Play / sing from the beginning to the Coda.
D.C. al Fine (Da Capo al fine)
Play / sing from the beginning to the Fine. Return to beginning and play till the place marked end.
D.C. al segno (Da Capo al segno)
Return to beginning and play till the sign (usually you skip from the sign to the Coda)
Dal Segno..............................D.S.
From the Segno
D.S. al Coda
Play / sing from the Segno to the Coda
D.S. al Fine
Play / sing from the Segno to the Fine (Repeat from the place marked by the sign and until the marking "fine")
Deciso
In an emphasized rhythm
Declamation
Reciting. Singing speech. In the opera, there are many declamation sections designated to prompt the plot and story
Decrescendo, de-crescendo..............................decresc
Gradually sing softer, Italian for "getting smaller". In a weakening volume (opposite of crescendo, also called diminuendo)
Diapason
Range - the range of sounds an instrument or singer can play or sing, from lowest to highest
Diatonic
A course written in the key's notes only, with no deviation to other notes - the complete opposite of chromatic
Diminuendo..............................dim.
Becoming gradually softer. Italian for "getting smaller". In a weakening volume (opposite of crescendo, also called de-crescendo)
Discant
An ancient form of accompaniment, from the Middle Ages (the 12th century). Early polyphony
Disco
A kind of popular dance music with a strong beat and simple repetitous lyrics
Dissonance
Grating on the ear, discordance in the combination of sounds in a certain interval (opposite of consonance). Among intervals seconds and sevenths are dissonant
Divertimento
A collection of playing movements that were originally entertaining. Later in history, serious divertimento were composed, especially those by Mozart.
Dodecaphonic, Twelve-tone system
Serial music, 12-tone system - a technique of composing pieces based on a series of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale. In this system, there is no tonally central tone, and all notes are equally important
Dolce
Sweetly, pleasantly, softly
Dominant
The fifth tone in the scale or the chord built on this tone
Double Bass
Drama (musical drama)
Combination of stage arts similar to opera, with more emphasis to the dramatic side
Drum
Duet, duo
A playing or singing movement performed in a pair
Dynamics
Changes in sound volume within a musical piece



E

Effects
Sound imitating sounds from nature (wind, rain, sea). Existent in both programme music and also multi-media
English Horn
Enharmony
Two notes or intervals' being identical but with different names. C sharp, for example, is enharmonic to D flat.
Ensemble
A band (French for "together")
Envelope
The sound's changing graph along the time axis
Espressivo
With expression
Etude
A study. A composition practices specific technic or playing style
Eurhythmics
A system that teaches rhythm through the movement of the human body. Developed by Emile Dalcroze
Expressionism
A trend in music of the early 20th century, particularly in Austria and Germany. Taken over from the German visual arts in which painters cultivated a style of emotionalism and deeply probing self-expression.


F

Fagot
Falsetto, falzett
The high notes a singer can produce, that are not in his normal singing range. Boys who sing soprano use falsetto
Fanfare
A short trumpeted (or another brass instrument) ceremonial prelude or flourish
Fantasy, fantasia
A free movement. A musical piece in an indefinite structure, or that stands on its own, rather than being part of a larger work. Sometimes a piece based on opera themes is called a fantasy
Farandola, Farandole
A French quick circle dance originating in Greece. 6/8 metre.
Fastoso
Gallant, magnificent
Fermata
Hold longer. Waiting, lingering on the note above which the indication is marked
Feroce
wildly
Festivo
festively
Figuration
Ornamentation of a musical piece
Figured bass
Basso continuo. A system in which one indicates harmony to a musical piece by numbers near the bass part. Was used in the Baroque period
Finale
Conclusion. The final movement of a musical piece
Fine
The end. End of song after a redirection
Flageolet, flageolet-tones
The harmonics (overtones) produced in a string instrument by weak pressing
Flat
A sign indicating to play the note to which it is attached a semitone lower
Flautando
An indication to play the violin like a flute
Flebile
Sad, melancholy
Flemish school
Composers from the Netherlands and Belgium (Josquin des Préz, Ockeghem and others) who developed the polyphonic style of the Renaissance
Flessibile
flexibly
Flute
Forte..............................f
Loud
Forte-Fortissimo..............................fff
As loud as possible
Forte Piano..............................fp
Loud, then soft
Fortissimo..............................ff
Very loud
Forza
With force
Forzando..............................fz
Forcing, a sudden accent
Fourth
An interval between two notes four steps apart on the scale. In C major, there would be a fourth between C and F or E and A
Freddo
Chilly
French Horn
Frequency
Fretta, con-
Hastily, speed up, accelerate
Fugue
A polyphonic texture includes subject strict treatment in 2 or more parts.
Fugato
A small fugue, a section in a piece written in the form of a fugue
Fuoco
Loud and fast
Fusion
A trend in jazz combining jazz with elements of rock and folk music




G

Galliard
A rapid Italian triple metre dance, from the 15th century
Galop, Galope, Gallop
A fast, cheerful dance in an even metre, performed in a circle. Characteristic rhythmic pattern executed with hopping movements and frequently changing steps. Originated in Germany
Gavotte
A moderate French dance in an even metre (4/4 or 2/4)
Gigue
A fast, cheerful dance originating in England or Scotland. Usually in a triple metre and in a binary form (a-b). Most of Bach's and Baroque suites end with a gigue
Glissando
Sliding from note to note smoothly by slipping. The trombone plays glissando with particular easiness
Gloria
The second part (means "Glory to God in the highest") from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.
Gong
Grave
A very heavy, slow, serious rhythm tempo
Grazioso, Grazia
With grace, graceful
Gregorian chant
Monophonic singing performed without instrumental accompaniment and with no definite musical metre - free singing
Guarneri, Guarnerius
A famous violin maker from Cremona, Italy. Viewed as second only to his rival Stradivarius
Guerriero
In a warrior mood
Guitar




H

HabaneraExample of Habanera from Bizet's Carmen
A slow Spanish dance in an even meter. Originating in Cuba
Harmonica
Harmonic series
A series of overtones (notes that vibrate above the fundamental note)
Harmony
A combination of musical tones heard simultaneously, as opposed to melody
Harp
Harpsichord - clavicembalo, cembalo (harpsichord in Italy) clavecen (harpsichord in France)
Helicon
A type of sousaphone. A tuba built as a ring placed on the player's shoulders. Used for playing in marches
Hemiola
Introducing an even metre into a triple one, or vice versa: two notes in a tree notes' duration time or three in a two notes' duration. Usually, the case is a metre switch from 6/8 to 3/4 or vice versa. An example for this is the first movement of the "Concierto di Aranjuez" by Rodrigo
Heterophony
Multiple voices that are not based on rules, and in which each performer changes the tune in order to diversify and ornament it, versus other performers
Hexachord
A six-note scale used in the Ancient times
Homophony
Music in which one voice sings the melodic part and the rest accompany it by chords or other subordinate material. The opposite of polyphony
Hornpipe
An English dance whose origin is a sailor dance. Until the end of the 18th century, it was in a triple metre; in later times such dances were composed in an even, light metre
Humoresque
A prank. A short, cheerful musical piece
Hymn
A song of praise or joy



I

Impressionism
A French compositional style in which the composer uses unique instrumentation and unusual harmonies to demonstrate his impressions.
Impromptu
A free-form piece that sounds like an improvisation.
Improvisation
Music that is played without any written notes. The performer plays spontaneously and invents while playing. Popular in Jazz and folk music
Interlude
An instrumental piece played between the acts of a play
Intermezzo
A short piece or comic interlude performed between movements or acts of the opera
Interpretation
The decisions made in performance that come from the performer rather than the composer
Interval
The distance in pitch between two notes
Intonation
The degree of adherence to correct pitch
InventionMusical notes
A short composition uses counterpoint. Most of the inventions were written for keyboard instruments. J.S.Bach was the main composer of inventions in the history of music.


J

Jazz
A musical style whose origins are in America, and its characteristics are syncopated rhythms and much improvisation by players




K

Key
The tonal center of a composition
Klavier
harpsichord in German
Koto
Japanese string instrument of the Zither family. Came into use in the 16th century. Used for both accompaniment and solo performance, is regarded as Japan's national instrument
Kodaly method
A system of teaching music based, among other things, on singing solfegio and ear development, through hand signals
Kyrie
The first part (means "Lord have mercy") from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.



L

Lamentoso
Mournful
Landler
A slow dance originating in Austria
Larghetto
Slightly faster than largo. Broad, but not as much as largo
Largo
Very slow, broad
Ledger lines
Short lines drawn underneath or above the staff for notes too high or too low to appear on the staff
Legato
Tied together. Play or sing a group of notes without seperate attacks, very smoothly. Playing in which there are no breaks between notes but a musical phrase played continuously. Usually marked by an arch
Leggero, leggiero
Light
Lento
Slow, moderately
Les Six
A group of young French composers who in 1918 decided to react against the impressionism of Debussy and Ravel. In the group: Honegger, Milhaud, Poulenc, Georges Auric, Germaine Tailleferre, and Louis Durey.
Lesto
Fast
Libretto
The text of an opera or oratorio
Lied
The German art song. An art song designated for a solo singer accompanied by a piano. Schubert was the most important of the art lied writers.
Ligature
An arch above two or more notes, that combines them into one tone.
Leitmotif
A leading theme. A motif representing (mostly in Wagner's operas) the character of a hero in the opera; this motif appears every time the hero is either mentioned or appears on stage. Also called idee fixe
Loco
Place - a direction canceling an octave change (ottava alta, ottava bassa), and it means that the player must go back to the normal sound pitch
Lute
An ancient string instrument, the father of modern guitar and son of the oriental oud




M

Top of the page

Ma
but
Madrigal
A non-religious song for several singers popular in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Performed by a number of solo singers and includes imitation. Not accompanied by instruments but performed a-cappella (sung only)
maestoso
Majestic, with glory, festive
Maestro
Conductor, a specialist artists
Major
The best known diatonic scale. Played on the white keys of any keyboard from c to the next c
Mambo
Modern Cuban popular dance music; an instrumental big band style
Mandolin
Maracas
A rattle-like Latino instrument
Marcato..............................^
Emphasized, underlined and explicit. A direction to accentuate every note
March
A walking (marching) song. Originally meant to excite armies. Later became an accepted artistic form
Marchiella, Marciale, Marziale
In a march style
Marimba
Mass
A festive Christian prayer. In times when the Roman Catholic Church ruled the world of art, masses were composed as impressive musical works, combining playing and singing. Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei are the parts of the mass. Guillaume de Machaut, with his "Messe de Notre Dame" for 4 voices, is probably the first composer to create a polyphonic setting of the ordinary of the Mass in the 14th century.
Mazurka
A slow, national Polish dance, in a tripled metre, with accenting on the second or third beat
Measure
The notes and rests between two bar lines.
Melody
A tune, a sequence of ascending and descending notes (tones), as opposed to harmony
Meno
Less
Meno mosso
With less motion. Not so fast
Mensural notation
Notation system that indicates the duration of each note, in contrary to the neumes that indicated no durations. (13th century to 16th)
Menuetto
see: minuet
Merengue
A popular folk dance-music genre of the Dominican Republic
Meter, metre
The regularity and cyclic nature of downbeats
Metronome
A device allowing the beating of the tempo required, thus assisting a student keep the right speed. Invented by the Bavarian Johann Maelzel.
Mezzo
Half. Mezzo forte - half loud, mezzo soprano - mid soprano
Mezzo forte..............................mf
Medium loud
Mezzo piano..............................mp
Medium quiet
Microtone
Interval smaller than the semitone. Frequently used in Eastern European and Oriental music.
MIDI
The initials of "musical instruments digital interface". It is a system of communication between synthesizers, sound modules and computers
Mighty Handful
A group of composers who wrote Russian national music (as part of the national music trend in the 19th century), grouped under the influence of Balakirev
Minesinger
German term for the composers and poets of the Middle Ages (troubadours)
Miniature
Small musical piece
Minimalism
A modern composition technique in which a pattern repeats itself again and again with small changes
Minor
A common scale played on the white keys of the keyboard from the note A to the next A (natural minor), and there are developments of this scale, the harmonic and melodic minor
Minuet, Minuette
A refined French dance customary in noble courts in the 17th and 18th century. Tripled meter and medium tempo. Later introduced into classical symphony as the 3rd movement
Modal
In the character of a mode, either a church mode, or of a rhythmic mode
Mode
The words meaning is "system". Modes are the ancient "keys" common in western music until the end of the Middle Ages, a time when European music became more and more based solely on the major and the minor, two of the ancient modes called Ionic and Aeolian
Moderato
Moderate, medium tempo, average speed
Modulation
A shift in the course of a piece from one key to another
Molto
Much, a lot, very
Monody
Sung monophonic music, a-cappella, or homophonic music in which there is a leading part and the rest serve as its accompaniment
Monotony
Performance in one note only
Monophony
One voice music, sung a-cappella. Single melodic line without additional parts or chordal accompaniment; the oldest type of music
Monothematic
A Composition based on one theme
Monotone
Reciting text on one pitch
Mordent
An ornament consisting of the alternation of the written note with the one immediately below it
Mosso
In motion
Motet
Unaccompanied church piece for choir
Motif
A melodic or rhythmic nucleus serving as a basis for a movement or an entire musical piece
Moto
Motion
Musette
A quiet, medium tempo movement sounded as if played a Scottish bagpipes - a long sound played in the bass and an abundant, ornamented melody
Music
Aleatory
Music based on random elements, that is elements set by accident, in the course of composition or performance
Applied, functional, useful
A musical school of artists from the beginning of the century, who believed in composing for the sake of society and serving its needs. Leaders of this trend were Hindemith and Kurt Weill(German: Gebrauchmusik)
Chamber
Music performed by a small ensemble and usually in small salons or small concerts halls
Concrete
Music produced of noises and sounds recorded and processed in a recording studio
Didactic
Music written for educational and learning purposes
Dodecaphonic
Electro-acoustic
Music combining electronic music and concrete music (music using noises, sounds and voices recorded into recording means), played in electronic apparatuses
Electronic
Music produced by electric means and by electronic instruments
Functional
see: applied
National
Music meant to express the spirit of the composer's people, and effected by its folk music. Composers who created such music: Smetana, Grieg, Dvorak, Bartok and others
Programme
Music written to describe a subject, a story, a picture etc. For example, Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and "Peter and the Wolf" by Prokofiev.
Sacred
Music that was written for use in religious services
Secular
Non-religious music
Serial
Symphonic
Music performed by a symphonic orchestra
Twelve-tone
Musical
The popular development of the operetta (mainly American and British)
Musical form
The structure and rules according to which a work is written. Among the known forms - the sonata form and the strophic song



N

Nationalism
The love of one’s country as expressed in music history by composers of the Romantic period and the 20th century. They tend to explore folk songs and dances, and use elements from the materials they found in their own national music.
Natural
A mark canceling a sharp or a flat appeared before, returning the note to its normal value
Neoclassicism
A 20th century reaction against the subjectivity and unrestrained emotionalism of Romanticism. It is characterized by the revival of aesthetic ideals, forms and methods of the classical period
Neumes
An ancient form of notation, began being used in the 7th century, first indicated above the sung text, and the stave lines were added later on. Indicates no durations.
Ninth
An interval of 9 steps in the scale (an octave and a second)
Nocturne, nocturno
A night tune
Non
no (Italian)
Non troppo
Not too much (Italian)
Nona
see: ninth


O

Obligato
Necessary, binding. Not to be omitted. An essential part. Performance must be as indicated, and each section must be played. The opposite of ad libitum.
Oboe
Octave
a) The eighth note in the diatonic scale
b) An interval between two sounds, one of which having a double frequency than the other. For exaple: c' and c''
Octet
A group of eight. A musical work for eight players (or an ensemble of eight)
Opus
A systematic method of numbering a composer's work, usually by order of publication (chronologically)
Opera
A theatrical stage piece all performed in singing and acting, and includes costumes, stage design and accompanied by an orchestra.
Opera seria
A serious opera
Opera comique, opera buffa, buffo
An opera with comical elements and a happy ending
Operetta
A short opera in a light style
Oratorio, Oratoria, Oratory
A sacred musical drama. Performed by voices and instruments. The religious sister of the Opera, although usually not including set and customs.
Orchestration
The arrangement of a musical piece for sake of its playing by an orchestra
Organ
Organ-point
A very prolonged note, usually, but not always in the bass, played simultaneously with the music's development. There is also another type, which is not one long note but many identical ones repeated again and again versus the tune played in other voices.
Organum
One of the earliest polyphonic forms (middle ages between the 10-13 centuries) consists of a melody (plainchant) and another parallel voice (with an interval of fourth or fifth).
Ornamentation
To embellish a melody
OstinatoMars, the bringer of war from The Planets - Holst
Stubborn, Repeated. A musical section repeated over and over again as accompaniment
Ottava
Octave. The player has to play with octave shifting:
ottava alta - play 1 octave higher.
ottava bassa - play 1 octave lower.
Al ottava - play an octave higher or lower, according to marking's location
Overtones, harmonics
The notes of the harmonic series (except for the fundamental note)
OvertureBizet - Carmen's overture
An instrumental movement usually opening a larger piece (opera or a concert) and often quoting it. Overtures were also written as independent works opening concerts and festive events


P

Partita
Like the suite - a collection of dancing tunes played consecutively
Passacaglia
A slow dance whose origin is Spanish or Italian, in a 3/4 metre. A set of variations based on repeating a bass phrase of 4-8 measures. Similar to the chaconne.
Passage
A virtuoso section in a piece, or literally, a passage - a transitional section
Passion
Music written for the text describing the agony of Jesus Christ. Bach wrote wonderful passions
Pastorale, Pastoralla, Pastoralgia
A piece of an idyllic nature, or a scene from shepherds' life
Pavane
A dance probably originating in Italy. An even metre and a medium tempo. Used to be popular in the 16th and 17th century, revived in the 19th and 20th century
Pedal
A sign indicating the use of the piano's right pedal (prolongs the sound)
Pentatonic
Of five notes. The pentatonic scale served and still serves the music of many nations
Perdendo, perdendosi
Gradually fading away, to the lowest volume possible
Period
A short musical phrase, usually consisting of 8 measures, whereas the first 4 measures end in harmonic tension on the dominant, and the last 4 end with a relaxation on a tonic (possibly a new tonic).
Listen to the first half --------------------> listen to the second half
Pesante
Heavy
Piacere, a-
Playing as the player wishes and according to his or her taste (like "ed- libitum")
Piacevole
Play pleasantly and gracefully
Pianente
Softly, gently
Pianissimo..............................pp
Very soft
Piano..............................p
Soft
Piano
Piano-Pianissimo..............................ppp
As soft as possible
Piccolo
Pieno
In its whole, full. A direction to use all of the instrument or choir's possibilities
Pitch
The high-low quality of a musical sound. Pitch is determined by the frequency of the tone, i.e., the number of vibrations per second
Piu
More
Pizzicato
Play a string instrument by plucking. The instrument is to be plucked with the fingers instead of being bowed.
plainsong
Gregorian chant. Monophonic, unmeasured chant
Plectrum
A prop used for plucking instruments such as the mandolin and guitar. Made of plastic, wood or bone
Poco
Slightly, a little beat. For instance - pocco adagio - play a little slow
Poem, Symphonic poem
An orchestral work based on a programme, and describing it by music (programme music)
Polka
A Bohemian (Czech) dance, dance in small steps, in 2/4 meter and quick tempo. Invented in about 1830, supposedly by a country housemaid, and was extremely popular until the end of the century
Polka Mazurka
A type of polka whose metre is triple and that accents the third beat
Polonaise
A Polish ceremonial dance in a triple metre. Chopin composed many such dances.
Polytonality
A method of composition in which different voices have different tonics. A 20th product, yet already implied by Bach
Polyphony
Multiple voices. Music written for a number of independent voices of equal musical importance (no leading voice and accompanying voices). Polyphony flourished in the 13th-16th centuries
Pomposo
Play majestically and magnificently
Pop music
Popular musical style
Portamento
To slide smoothly from one note to another
Position
The disposition of fingers. Different instruments have different placement options of the fingers
Postlude
A piece played at the end of the vocal section. Usually played on the organ in a church, after prayer is concluded
Poussez
Up-bow. A sign for violin to draw the bow upwards while playing
Prelude
A musical movement played before the piece. Usually of free form
Pressando, pressez
Accelerate, press (like accelerando)
Prestissimo
Very fast, As fast as possible
Presto
Very fast
piu presto
faster
Prima, Primo
first
Prima donna
The lady singer in the opera performing the lead
Prima vista
Playing a piece while reading the notes for the first time
Prix de Rome
A French prize of 3 years study in Rome for excellent musicians. Among the winners: Bizet, Gounod and Berlioz.
Programme music
Music written to describe a subject, a story, a picture etc. For example, Dukas's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", and "Peter and the Wolf" by Prokofiev.
Pronunciato, Pronunziato
Sing explicitly, clearly
Psalm
Sacred hymns or songs
Psaltery
A medieval stringed instrument, resembles the harp. Played by plucking the strings with the fingers or a pick. In Arab music it exists to this very day, and called Kanun. The psaltery is the father of the harpsichord.




Q

Qanun, qanoun
Quartet
A composition that is written for four instruments or voices (Most important type is the string quartet). Also the four performers assembled to play or sing such compositions.
Quartole
A group of four notes equal in duration to three notes of the same length (in a 3/4 metre). The group is marked by a figure "4" above it
Quasi
As if, almost
Quieto
quietly
Quietissimo
totally quietly
Quintet, quintourMendelssohn - String Quintet No.2 in B flat, op.18
A composition that is written for five instruments or voices. Also the five performers assembled to play or sing such compositions.
Quintuplet
Five notes played in the time of four notes of the same value. The group is marked by a figure "5" above it

R

Raga
The scale in Hindu music. Nowadays, 132 ragas are customary, each used for a different time of the year or day, and for the expression of a different state of mind such as terror, anger, heroism, laughter etc.
Ragtime
An early jazz style usually performed on the piano. Its names means "rhythm of tears/rags", due to the lack of uniform rhythm.
Rallenteto, rallentando
Gradually slow down
Range
The notes that a voice or musical instrument is capable of creating, from the lowest to the highest
Rap
Rapid spoken rhyming vocals
Rapidamente, rapido
Quickly, swiftly
Recorder
Register
a. A part of the human voice or instrument's range
b. In an organ - one set of pipes that is controlled by one stop
Reverberation
Rallentando
Decrease speed
Rhapsody
A free musical form used in the Romantic period for instrumental and especially orchestral ensembles, similar to the fantasy, yet unlike the latter the rhapsody is based on national tunes and rhythms
Recitative
A vocal style designed for the speechlike declamation of narrative episodes in operas, oratorios or cantatas, for the sake of telling a story or conversing in an opera
Reggae
Modern popular Jamaican music which emerged in the late 1960s
Relative keys
Minor and major keys that have the same key signature. C major and A minor are of such
Repertory, repertoire
The list of performed works, the performer's program for the night
Reprise
repetition
Requiem
An interment prayer, mass for the dead
Rhythm
The distribution of meter into long and short sounds, the texture of sound duration
Ricercare, ricercata
A polyphonic movement in which musical themes shift, along with imitation and constant pursuit
Riff
A short little passage of music that tends to repeat over and over, upon which other music can be played or composed. Mainly in Rock and jazz music.
Rigaudon
A cheerful dance with a typical leaping step. Its metre is even, and its origins are French
Rigore, rigoroso
Play meticulously, stick to correct rhythm
Rinforzando..............................rfz
Reinforcing
Ripieno
The bigger group in a concerto gross (tuti), unlike the smaller soloist group (concertino)
Riposo
Calmly
Ritardando
Gradually play slower, gradually slow down
Ritenuto, ritenutto
Hold back, immediately slow down
Rock & Roll, Rock 'n' Roll
A rhythmical musical style whose origins are Blues and black soul music in the United States
Romance
A piece in a singing-like style
Rondeau
A medieval French multi-verse polyphonic song
Rondo
A refrain form. A musical form in which after each new section, a fixed one repeats. The form used for the final movement of classical sonatas, string quartets, symphonies and concertos
Rondo-sonata
A musical form which is a perfection of the rondo form, and its characteristic structure is a-b-a-c-b-a, and a conclusion. Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven used it in their works
Round
A short vocal canon that can be repeated indefinitely; at the unison.
Rubato
Freely, interruption of tempo in the form of free, flexible playing
Rumba
A Cuban dance which, in about 1930, became a popular ballroom dance form in the United States and Europe. It is of African origin, with strong emphasis on rhythm, complicated syncopation, and indefinite repetitions of an eight measure theme.


S

Sacred music
Music that was written for use in religious services
Saltarello
An Italian triple meter cheerful, light dance
Sampler
A device enabling recording a natural sound (sample) and playing it in different pitches electronically
Sanctus
The fourth part (means "Holy") from the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass.
Sarabande
A slow, Spanish dance in a tripleed metre and a simple binary structure (a-b). characterized by accentuation of the second beat in every measure.
Saxophone
Scale
The arrangement of notes in a specific order. These notes are the base for a musical part.
Scherzo
Originally, amusing, funny work, but Beethoven introduced it into his symphonies, and many other composers after him did the same. An energetic movement, usually written in a tripled metre.
Score
The note sheet on which the parts of all voices or instruments participating are written. A conductor uses the score in order to control the orchestra
Secco
Dry, with no expression
Second
The interval between two neighboring notes in a scale. Between C and D there is a major second; between E and F - a minor second.
Secular music
Non-religious music
Segno
Sign to indicate the beginning or ending of a section that is to be repeated
Seguidilla
A Spanish dance whose origins are in Andalusia. Its metre is triple and its tempo is fast
Seminuendo, seminuito
Like diminuendo - gradually becomes quiet
Semitone
One half step
Semplice
Simple, the marked part will be played with no change - without ornamentation or rhythm changes
Sempre
All the time. "Sempre legato", for example, means play legato all the time (until given a different notice)
Senza
Without (Italian)
Septet
A piece for seven instruments or singers, or a seven participant ensemble
Sequence
A motif repeated over and over in a different pitch
Serenade
An evening song, a light piece for a small orchestra (for example, Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik")
Serenata
An 18th century dramatic cantata (vocal form)
Sereno
Quiet, peaceful
Serialism
An a-tonal composition technique based on a consistent use of a specific series of notes played in the primary order with no repetition of any individual note
Serio, Seriosso
Serious, seriously
Seventh
A seven steps interval. In the C major key, for instance, a major seventh would be between C and B above it, and a minor seventh would be between E and D.
SextetDvorak - String sextet in A op.48
A piece for six instruments or singers, or a six participant ensemble
Sextuplet
Six notes played in the time of four notes of the same value. The 1st, 3rd and 5th should be accented.
Sforzando..............................sf
Forcing, accented. To be accentuated hard, powerfully.
Sforzato..............................sfz
Forcing, accented
Sharp
A sign indicating to play the note to which it is attached a semitone higher
Simile
In a similar manner - meant to indicate that a prior direction (such as staccato or legato) will be valid until further notice
Sin
Until the ... (Italian)
Sinfonia
An instrumental piece used as an opening for the opera (or suite or cantata) since the early 18th century
Sitar
A Hindu string instrument
Sixth
The interval between six consecutive notes in a scale. In the C major , for example, a major sixth would be between C and the A above it, and a minor seventh would be between E and C.
ska
A Jamaican and British dance-hall music.
Slentando
Slargando, Slowing down gradually
Slide
The trombone's cylinder whose sliding in and out allows the player to alter sound pitch
Smorzando
Fading away
Solfeggio, solfegio
A series of exercises and graded training designated for learning singing, out of notes. Vocal exercises in which syllables are assigned to notes.
Solmization (Italian word: solfeggio)
A method of teaching singing that eliminates learning to read music notation. The tonic sol-fa system derived from the hexachord invented by Guido d'Arezzo and was systematized in the 1840s by John Curwen: the notes of the rising major scale are represented by the syllables doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, ti, and doh. The system can be applied in any key; modulation simply involves shifting doh to another pitch.
SoloBrahms - Waltz No. 39 for piano solo
A show of a single performer or a lead in an orchestral musical performance
Sonata
A piece for one instrument in a predefined structure. Occasionally written with piano accompaniment.
Sonata form, sonata allegro
A particularly important musical form, used for the first movements of sonatas, symphonies, concertos and other works
Sonatina
A short, simple work written in the sonata form
Soprano
The highest female voice
Sopranino
Higher than the soprano. A term used for an especially small instrument playing very high notes
Sordina, sordino
A mute, a device for muffling the instrument's sounds
Sostenuto
Sustained. Held. Like tennuto, meaning keeping notes' full duration
Sound envelope
The sound's changing graph along the time axis
Sound frequency
Sousaphone
Spiccato
Staccato in string instruments. Bouncing the bow over the strings
Spiritoso, spirito
Powerfully, vigorously
Spirituals
The rebel and protest songs of black people in the US that spoke of biblical subjects and following Christ, but in fact were songs of hope for liberation from bondage, and after emancipation - songs of hope for improvement in the Negro's life in racist America
Staccato
Short, measured notes, unattached to each other (opposite of legato)
Stave, staff
Five horizontal lines, upon and between which musical notes are written, thus indicating their pitch
Stradivarius
A famous builder of violins and other strings from the town of Cremona, Italy. Built over 1000 instruments in his life, and they are considered the best instruments in the world. Even today, his secret of making such excellent instruments remains a mystery, and the ones he built are sold at extremely high prices.
Strepituso
In a burst
Stretto
Diminution and cramming-up together notes in a theme or a played section
Stringendo
Hurry up. In growing acceleration.
Strophic
A song in which each verse uses the same melody. Strophic songs includes folk songs, hymns and most of the art songs written before the Romantic period. The opposite of through composed.
Subdominant
The fourth scale on the key. In C major, for instance, F would be the subdominant
Submediant
The sixth of a key or minor third below the tonic. In C major, for instance, A would be the submediant
Suite
A sequence of dancing tunes from different countries, become a musical form
Swing
The "Big band" jazz music of the 1930's. This style of jazz is particularly identified with the Benny Goodman orchestra.
SymphonyBeethoven - Symphony No.9
A musical form designated for a large orchestra. Includes four movements, the first one written in the sonata form
Symphonic poem
Programme music. A type of music in which an extra musical idea (literary, descriptive, etc.) serves as the basis of an orchestral composition
Syncope
Accentuation in unexpected places in the measure (particularly commonplace in jazz), in contrast to the metre
Synthesizerþ




T

Tact
A musical measure
Tala
The Hindu metre system. A kind of a parallel to western metre, yet unlike its European counterpart emphasized beats do not come regularly but according to an altering arrangement. Today, 36 talas are in use.
Tango
An Argentinean dance which became popular in the beginning of the 20th century
Tanto
As much, Too much
Tarantella
A very quick dance, in a 6/8 metre, originating in Italy. Rather wild
Tempo
Speed
Tenor
The higher manly voice
Tenunto
Playing while hilding the notes their whole duration (complete opposite of staccato)
Tonal, tonality
Having a key. Reference to the basic note of the scale - the tonic
Tambourineþ
Tetrachord
Four notes within the bounds of the perfect fourth
Timbale
Timbre
Sound color (usually determined by the relative volumes of its overtones)
Timpani
Third
The interval between three neighboring notes on a scale. Between C and E - a major third (2 tones). Between E and G - a minor third - 1.5 tones
Through-composed
Songs in which there is new music to each verse (the opposite of strophic song)
Toccata
A free, rapid, highly ornamented movement usually designated for a keyboard instrument. Originated in the sixteenth century but cultivated mainly in the Baroque period
Tonic key
The keynote. The first, or basic note of a diatonic scale
Tranquillo
Quiet
Transposition
Transferring a melody from one key to another. Used in case the player cannot perform a particularly high or low section, and it must be altered in order to allow him play
Tremolo
Tremble, a repeated playing of a note, quickly. Like a mandolin's long notes
Triangle
Trill
A "curled" ornamentation between a note and its neighbor
Trio
A three-performer ensemble, either players or singers. Also the music for 3 players. The piano trio for piano, violin, and cello is the most important type
Triton
The three tones interval that was prohibited in the Middle Ages for use in Christian tunes, since it was unpleasant to the ear. Viewed as a diabolical interval and problematic for the ear. Considered either an augmented fourth or a diminished fifth
Trombone
Troppo
Too much
Troubadours
Medieval composers and poets, in the 11th-13th centuries, who sang particularly about courtly love
Trumpet
Tuba
Tune
A melody, a sequence of ascending and descending notes
Tutti
All, everybody



U

Unison
In one voice. All performers play one part in the same register
un peu
A little
un poco
A beat, a little


V

Valse
see: Waltz
Variation
Alteration in the tune or musical theme, compared to the original. In a theme and variations form, first a given melody is presented (the theme) and then a number of modifications, each of which is a variation
Verismo, Verissimo
A 19th century trend in the art of opera that believed in writing operas on topics from daily life, instead of mythological and imaginary ones, as customary before.
Vibraphone
Vibrato
Trembling, vibrating. A player producing a vibrato quivers the note while playing. Normally used for emotional expression
Viola
Violin
Virtuoso
A player excelling in an amazing technical ability. For example, Liszt was a virtuoso pianist and Paganini - a virtuoso violinist
Vivaccissimo
agitated
Vivace
lively, brisk
Vivo
Vivid, full of life
Vocal
Of the voice, sung
Volta
An ending within a musical piece. A sentence repeated several times with different endings will get different voltas



W

Wave form
Wonder child
A child whose artistic talent is extremely great
WaltzChopin - Waltz in C#mChopin - Minute waltzBrahms - waltz No. 39
A triple metered dance popular to this very day. The accompaniment pattern consisting of a low bass note on the first beat and two chords in the middle register on the second and third beats. Waltzes were not written only for dancing purposes. Its peak was in the late 19th century, and especially in the city of Vienna
Wood Block


X

Xylophoneþ


Y

Yodel
The singing style popular in the Alps of Austria and Switzerland


Z

Zarzuela
A type of Spanish opera
Zither
A string instrument similar to the harp, played on the player's lap or the table. It can be found today in Austria, Bavaria and Arab music (where it is called Qanun). A development of the Psaltery.





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MusixCool© By Nadav Dafni