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< ul>
ES - Spanish
I - Italian
F - French
D - German
NL - Nederlands
UK - British English
DK - Danish
S - Swedish
N - Norwegian
A reference is indicated by ->
followed by the term in boldface.
- A
- ES: la
: la, F: la, D: A, a, NL: a, DK: a, S: a, N: a.
- accent
- ES: acento, I: accento, F: accent, D: Akzent, NL: accent, DK: accent, S: accent, N:
The stress of one tone over others.
- accidental
- ES: alteración, I: alterazione, accidente, F: altération D: Vorzeichen,
Versetzungszeichen, NL: voorteken, DK: løst fortegn, S: tillfälligt
förtecken, N:
A sharp raises a tone by a -> semitone, a double sharp raises it
by a ->
whole tone, a flat lowers it by a semitone and a double
flat lowers it by a whole tone. A natural cancels the effect of a previous
accidental.
- accelerando
- ES: acelerando, I: accelerando, F: accelerando, en accélérant, D: accelerando, Schneller,
NL: accelerando, DK: accelerando, S: accelerando, N:
Still faster tempo.
- adagio
- ES: adagio, I: adagio, F: adagio, lent, D: Adagio, Langsam, NL: adagio, DK: adagio, S:
adagio, N: adagio.
It. comfortable, easy. 1. Slow tempo, slower - especially in even meter - than
-> andante and faster than -> largo. 2. A
movement in slow tempo, esepecially the scond (slow) movement of
-> sonatas, symphonies etc.
- allegro
- ES: allegro, I: allegro, F: allegro, D: Allegro, Schnell, Fröhlich, Lustig, NL: allegro,
DK: allegro, S: allegro, N: allegro.
It. cheerful. Quick tempo. Also used as a title for pieces in a quick tempo,
especially the first and last movements of a -> sonata.
- alto
- ES: alto, I: contralto, F: alto, D: Alt, NL: alt, DK: alt, S: alt, N: alt.
A female voice of low range (contralto). Originally the alto was a high
male voice (hence the name) which by the use of falsetto reached the height of
the female voice. This type of voice is also known as -> counter tenor.
- alto clef
- ES: clave de do en tercera, I: chiave di contralto, F: clef d'ut troisième ligne, D: Altschlüssel,
Bratschenschlüssel, NL: alt sleutel, DK: altnøgle, S: altklav, N:
C clef setting central C on the middle line of the staff
-> C clef
- ancient minor scale
- I: scala minore naturale, F: forme du mode mineur ancien, troisème mode,
mode hellénique D: reines Moll, NL: , DK: ren mol, S: ren mollskala, N: .
- andante
- ES: andante, I: andante, F: andante, D: Andante, NL: andante, DK: andante, S: andante,
N: andante.
walking tempo/character
- appoggiatura
- ES: apoyatura, I: appoggiatura, F: appogiature, (port de voix), D: Vorschlag, NL: voorslag,
DK: forslag, S: förslag, N:
Ornamental note, usually a second, that is melodically connected with the main
note that follows it. In music before the 19'th century a. were usually
performed on the beat, after that mostly before the beat. While the short
a. is performed as a short note regardless of the duration of the main note
the duration of the long a. is proportionate to that of the main note.
An appoggiatura may have more notes preceding the main note.
- arpeggio
- ES: arpegio, I: arpeggio, F: arpège, D: Arpeggio, Akkordbrechungen, gebrochener
Akkord, NL: gebroken akoord, DK: arpeggio, akkordbrydning, S: arpeggio, N:
- ascending interval
- ES: Intervalo ascendente, I: intervallo ascendente, F: intervalle ascendant, D: steigendes Intervall,
NL: stijgend interval, DK: stigende interval, S: stigande intervall, N:
A distance between a starting lower note and a higher ending note.
- augmented interval
- ES: intervalo aumentado, I: intervallo aumentato, F: intervalle augmenté, D: übermäßiges
Intervall, NL: overmatig interval, DK: forstørret interval, S:
överstigande intervall, N:
-> interval
- autograph
- I: autografo, F: manuscrit, D: Autograph, Handschrift, NL: manuscript, DK:
håndskrift, autograf, S: handskrift, N: .
1. A manuscript in the composer's own hand. 2. Music prepared for
photoreproduction by freehand drawing, with only the aid of a
straightedge ruler and T-square, which attempts to emulate
engraving. This required more skill than did engraving.
- B
- ES: si, I: si, F: si, D: H, h, NL: b, DK: h, S: h, N: h.
- backfall; forefall
- -> appoggiatura
- bar line
- ES: , I: stanghetta, barra (di divisione), F: barre (de mesure), D: Taktstrich, NL:
maatstreep, DK: taktstreg, S: taktstreck, N:
- bar
- ES: compás, -> measure
- baritone
- ES: bar´itono, I: baritono, F: bariton, D: Bariton, NL: bariton, DK: baryton, S: baryton, N:
baryton.
The male voice intermediate between the -> bass and the
-> tenor.
- baritone clef
- ES: clave de fa en tercera
I: chiave di baritono, F: clef d' Ut cinquième ligne, clef de Fa troisième, D: Barytonschlüssel, NL: baritonsleutel, DK: barytonnøgle, S:
barytonklav, N: .
C or F clef setting central C on the upper staff line. -> c clef
-> f clef
- bass clef
- ES: clave de fa en cuarta, I: chiave di basso, F: clé de fa quatrième ligne, D: Bass-Schlüssel, NL:
bassleutel, DK: basnøgle, S: basklav, N:
A clef setting with central C on the first top ledger line. -> f clef
- bass
- I: basso, F: basse, D: Bass, NL: bas, DK: bas, S: bas, N: bas.
1. The lowest of men's voices. 2. Sometimes, especially in jazz music, used as
an abbreviation for double bass -> strings.
- beam
- I: coda, F: barre, D: Balken, NL: waardestreep, DK: bjælke, S: balk, N:
Line connecting a series of notes (shorter than a quarter note). The number of
beams determine the note value of the connected notes.
- beat
- ES: tiempo, I: tempi, F: temps, D: Taktschlag, Zeit (im Takt), NL: tel, DK: (takt)slag, S:
taktslag, N:
Note value used for counting, most often half-, fourth- and eighth notes. The
base counting value and the number of them per measure is indicated at the
start of the music.
- bind
- -> tie
- brace
- ES: llave, corchete
I: graffa, F: accolade, D: Klammer, Klavierklammer, Akkolade, Chorklammer, NL:
accolade, teksthaak, DK: klamme, S: klammer, N:
Symbol at the start of a system connecting staffs. Curly braces are used
for connecting piano staves, angular brackets for connecting parts in an
orchestral or choral score.
- brass
- ES: metales, I: ottoni, D: Blechbläser, NL: koper (blazers), F: cuivres,
DK: messingblæsere, S: brassinstrument, mässingsinstrument, N:
A family of blown musical instruments made of brass all using a cup formed
mouth piece. The brass instruments commonly used in a symphony orchestra are
trumpet, trombone, french horn and tube.
- breath mark
- I: respiro, F: respiration, D: Atemzeichen, Trennungszeichen, NL:
repercussieteken, DK:
vejrtrækningstegn, S: andningstecken, N: .
Indication of where to breathe in vocal and wind instrument parts.
- breve
- ES: breve, I: breve, F: brève, D: Brevis, NL: brevis, DK: brevis, S: brevis, N:
-> Note value twice as long as a whole note. Mainly used
in pre-1650 music.
- C
- ES: do, I: do, F: ut, D: C, c, NL: c, DK: c, S: c, N: c
- C clef
- ES: Clave de do, I: chiave di do, F: clé d'ut, D: C-Schlüssel, NL: C-sleutel, DK:
c-nøgle, S: c-klav, N:
Clef symbol indicating the position of the central C. Used on all note
lines.
- cadence
- ES: cadencia, I: cadenza, F: cadence, D: Kadenz, NL: cadens, DK: kadence, S: kadens, N: .
-> harmonic cadence -> functional harmony
- cadenza
- ES: cadenza, I: cadenza, F: cadence, D: Kadenz, NL: cadens, DK: kadence, S: kadens, N: .
An extended, improvisatory style section inserted near the end of
movement. The purpose of a cadenza is to give the singer or player a chance to
exhibit her technichal skill and not the least her ability to improvise. Since
the middle of the 19'th century, however, most cadences have been written down
by the composer.
- canon
- ES: canon, I: canone, F: canon, D: Kanon, NL: canon, DK: kanon, S: kanon, N: .
-> counterpoint
- cent
- ES: cent, I: cent, F: cent, D: Cent, NL: cent, DK: cent, S: cent, N: .
Logarithmic unit of measurement. 1 cent is 1/1200 of an octave (1/100 of an
equally tempered -> semitone) -> equal temperament
- central C
- -> middle C
- chord
- ES: acorde, I: accordo, F: accord, D: Akkord, NL: akkoord, DK: akkord, S: ackord, N: .
Three or more tones sounding simultaneously. In traditional European music the
base chord is a triad consisting of 2 thirds. Major (major +
minor -> third) as well as minor (minor + major third)
chords may be extended with more thirds. Four- seventh chords and five
tone ninth major chords are most often used as dominants
(-> functional harmony). A special case is chords having no
third above the lower notes to define their quality as major or minor. Such
chords are denoted open chords
- chromatic scale
- ES: escala cromática, I: scala cromatica, F: gamme chromatique, D: Chromatische Tonleiter, NL:
chromatische toonladder, DK: kromatisk skala, S: kromatisk skala, N: .
A scale consisting of all 11 -> semitones.
- chromaticism
- ES: cromatismo, I: cromatismo, F: chromatisme, D: Chromatik, NL: chromatiek, DK: kromatik, S:
kromatik, N:
Use of tones extraneous to a -> diatonic scale (minor, major).
- church mode; ecclesiastical mode ES: modo eclesiástico, I: modo
- ecclesiastico, F: mode ecclésiastique, D: Kirchentonart, NL:
kerktoonladder, DK: kirketoneart, S: kyrkotonart, N:
-> diatonic scale
- clef
- ES: clave, I: chiave, F: clé, clef, D: Schlüssel, Schlüssel, Notenschlüssel, NL:
sleutel, DK: nøgle, S: klav, N:
-> c clef -> f clef -> g clef
- comma
- I: comma, F: comma, D: Komma, NL: komma, DK: komma, S: komma, N:
Difference in pitch between a note derived from pure tuning and the same note
derived from some other tuning method. -> temperament
- common meter
- -> meter
- compound interval
- ES: intervalo compuesto, I: intervallo composto, F: intervalle composé, D: Weites Intervall(?), NL:
samengesteld interval, DK: sammensat interval, S: sammansatt intervall, N: .
Intervals larger than an octave
-> interval
- complement
- I: rivolto, F: intervalle complémentaire, D: Komplementärintervall, NL:
complementair interval, DK: komplementærinterval, S:
komplementärintervall (?), N:
-> inverted interval
- conjunct movement
- ES: movimiento conjunto, I: moto congiunto, F: mouvement conjoint, D: schrittweise/stufenweise
Bewegung, NL: , DK: trinvis bevægelse, S: stegvis rörelse, N:
Melody moving in the narrow steps of the scale;
- consonance
- ES: consonancia, I: consonanza, F: consonance, D: Konsonanz, NL: consonant, DK: konsonans, S:
konsonans, N:
-> harmony
- contralto
- ES: contralto, I: contralto, F: contralto, D: Alt, NL: contralto, DK: alt, S: alt, N:
-> alto
- counterpoint
- ES: contrapunto, I: contrappunto, F: contrepoint, D: Kontrapunkt, NL: contrapunt, DK:
kontrapunkt, S: kontrapunkt, N: .
From latin punctus contra punctum, note against note. The combination
into a single musical fabric of lines or parts which have distinct melodic
significance. A frequently used polyphonic technique is imitation, in its
strictest form found in the canon needing only one part to be written down
while the other parts are performed with a given displacement. Imitation is
also the contrapuntal technique used in the fugue which, since the
music of the baroque era, has been one of the most popular polyphonic
composition methods.
- counter tenor
- ES: contratenor, I: controtenore, F: contre-tenor, D: Kontratenor, NL: contratenor, DK:
kontratenor, S: kontratenor, counter tenor, N: kontratenor
-> contralto
- Copying, Music
- A music copyist did fast freehand scores and parts on preprinted staff lines
for performance. Some of their conventions (e.g.: the placement of noteheads
on stems) varied slightly from those of engravers. Some of their working
methods were superior and could well be adopted by music typesetters. This
required more skill than engraving.
- crescendo
- ES: crescendo, I: crescendo, F: crescendo, D: Crescendo, Lauter, NL: crescendo, DK:
crescendo, S: crescendo, N: crescendo.
Increasing volume. Indicated by a rightwards opening horizontal wedge or the
abbreviation "cresc.".
- cue-notes
- ES: notas guia, I: notine, F: petites notes précédent l'entrée d'in instrument,
réplique, D: Stichnoten, NL: stichnoten, DK: stiknoder, S: inprickningar, N:
In a separate part notes belonging to another part with the purpose of hinting
when to start playing. Usually printed in a smaller type.
- D
- ES: Re, I: re, F: ré, D: D, d, NL: d, DK: d, S: d, N: d
- da capo
- ES: da capo, I: da capo, F: da capo, depuis le commencement, D: da capo, von Anfang, NL: da
capo, DK: da capo, S: da capo, N: .
The term indicates repetition of the piece from the beginning to the end or to
a certain place marked fine. Mostly abbreviated D.C.
- dal segno
- ES: dal segno, I: dal segno, F: dal segno, depuis le signe, D: dal segno, NL: dal segno, DK:
dal segno, S: dal segno, N: .
abbreviated d.s. Repetition, not from the beginning, but from another place
frequently near the beginning marked by a sign:
- decrescendo
- ES: decrescendo, I: decrescendo, D: Decrescendo, Leiser, NL: decrescendo, DK: decrescendo, S:
decrescendo, N: decrescendo
Decreasing tone volume. Indicated by a leftwards opening horizontal wedge
or the abbreviation "decresc.".
- descending interval
- ES: intervalo descendente, I: intervallo discendente, F: intervalle descendant, D: fallendes Intervall,
absteigendes Intervall, NL: dalend interval, DK: faldende interval, S:
fallande intervall, N:
An distance between a starting higher note and a lower ending note.
- diatonic scale
- ES: escala diatónica, I: scala diatonica, F: gamme diatonique, D: diatonische Tonleiter, NL:
diatonische toonladder, DK: diatonisk skala, S: diatonisk skala, N:
A scale consisting of 5 -> whole tones and 2
-> semitones (S). Scales played on the white keys of a piano
keybord are diatonic.
The church modes are used in gregorial chant and pre baroque early music but
also to some extent in newer jazz music.
From the beginning of the 17th century the scales used in European
compositional music are primarily the major and the minor scales. In the
harmonic minor scale type an augmented second (A) occurs between the 6th and
7th tone.
- diminished interval
- ES: intervalo disminu´ido, I: intervallo diminuito, F: intervalle diminué, D: vermindertes Intervall,
NL: verminderd interval, DK: formindsket interval, S: förminskat
intervall, N: .
-> interval
- diminuendo
- ES: diminuendo, I: diminuendo, F: diminuendo, D: Diminuendo, NL: diminuendo, DK: diminuendo,
S: diminuendo, N: diminuendo.
-> decrescendo
- disjunct movement
- ES: movimiendo disjunto, I: moto disgiunto, F: mouvement disjoint, D:
sprunghafte Bewegung, NL: , DK: springende bevægelse, S: hoppande
rörelse, N:
Melody moving in steps greater than those of the
scale. Opposite of ->
conjunct movement.
- dissonant interval; dissonance
- ES: intervalo disonante, disonancias,
I: intervallo dissonante, dissonanza, F: dissonance, D: Dissonanz, NL:
dissonant interval; dissonant, DK: dissonerende interval, dissonans, S:
dissonans, N: .
-> harmony
- dominant ninth chord
- I: accordo di nona di dominante, F: accord de neuvième dominante, D:
Dominantnoneakkord, NL: dominant noon akkoord, DK:
dominantnoneakkord, S: dominantnonackord, N: .
-> chord -> functional harmony
- dominant seventh chord
- ES: acorde de séptima de dominante, I: accordo di settima di dominante, F: accord de septième dominante, D:
Dominantseptakkord, NL: dominant septiem akkoord, DK: dominantseptimakkord, S:
dominantseptimackord, N:
-> chord -> functional harmony
- dominant
- ES: dominante, I: dominante, F: dominante, D: Dominante, NL: dominant, DK: dominant, S:
dominant, N: .
The fifth -> scale degree -> functional harmony
- dorian mode
- ES: modo dórico, I: modo dorico, F: mode dorien, D: Dorischer Kirchenton, NL: dorische
toonladder, dorischer Kirchenton, DK: dorisk skala, S: dorisk tonart, N:
-> diatonic scale
- dot (augmentation dot)
- ES: puntillo, I: punto (di valore), F: point, D: Punkt (Verlängerungspunkt), NL: punt, DK:
punkt, S: punkt, N:
-> dotted note
- dotted note
- ES: nota con puntillo, I: nota puntata, F: note pointée, D: punktierte Note, NL: gepuncteerde noot,
DK: punkteret node, S: punkterad not, N:
-> note value
- double appoggiatura
- ES: apoyatura doble, I: appoggiatura doppia, F: appoggiature double, D: doppelter Vorschlag, NL:
dubbele voorslag, DK: dobbelt forslag, S: dubbelslag, N:
-> appoggiatura
- double bar line
- I: doppia barra, F: double barre, D: Doppelstrich, NL: dubbele maatstreep, DK:
dobbeltstreg, S: dubbelstreck, N: .
Indicates the end of a section within a movement.
- double dotted note
- ES: nota con dos puntillos, I: nota doppiamente puntata, F: note doublement pointée, D:
doppel-punktierte Note, NL: dubbelgepuncteerde noot, DK:
dobbeltpunkteret node, S: dubbelpunkterad not, N: .
-> note value
- double flat
- ES: doble bemol,
I: doppio bemolle, F: double bémol, D: Doppel-B, NL: dubbelmol,
DK: dobbelt-b, S: dubbelbe, N: .
-> accidental
- double sharp
- ES: doble sostenido, I: doppio diesis, F: double dièse, D: Doppelkreuz, NL: dubbelkruis,
DK: dobbeltkryds, S: dubbelkors, N: .
-> accidental
- double trill
- ES: trino doble, I: doppio trillo, F: trille double, D: Doppeltriller, NL: dubbele triller, DK:
dobbelttrille, S: dubbeldrill, N: .
A simultaneous trill on two notes, usually in the distance of a third.
- duple meter
- ES: tiempo binario, I: tempo binario, F: temps binaire, D: zweiteiliger Takt, NL: tweedelige
maatsoort, DK: todelt takt, S: tvåtakt, N: .
-> meter
- duplet
- ES: dosillo, I: duina, F: duolet, D: Duole, NL: duool, DK: duol, S: duol, N: .
-> note value
- duration
- ES: duración, I: durata, F: durée, D: Dauer, Länge, NL: duur, lengte, DK: varighed, S:
tonlängd, N: .
-> note value
- dydimic comma
- -> syntonic comma
- E
- ES: mi, I: mi, F: mi, D: E, e, NL: e, DK: e, S: e, N: e.
- eighth note
- ES: corchea, I: croma, F: croche, UK: quaver, D: Achtel, Achtelnote, NL: achtste noot, DK:
ottendedelsnode, S: åttondelsnot, N: .
-> note value
- eighth rest
- ES: silencio de corchea, I: pausa di croma, F: demi-soupir, UK: quaver rest, D: Achtelpause, NL:
achtste rust, DK: ottendedelspause, S: åttonddelspaus, N: .
-> note value
- engraving
- ES: Grabar, I: incisione, F: gravure, D: Notenstechen, NL: steken, DK: nodestik, S:
nottryck, N: .
Engraving means incising or etching a metal plate for
printing. Photoengraving means drawing music with ink in a manner
similar to drafting or engineering drawing, using similar tools.
The traditional process of music printing is done through cutting in a
plate of metal. Now also the term for the art of music typesetting.
- enharmonic
- ES: enharmónico, I: enarmonico, F: enharmonique, D: enharmonisch, NL: enharmonisch, DK:
enharmonisk, S: enharmonisk, N: .
Two notes, intervals, or scales are enharmonic if they have different names
but equal pitch.
- equal temperament
- I: temperamento equabile, F: tempérament égal, D: gleichschwebende
Stimmung, NL: gelijkzwevende temperatuur, DK: ligesvævende
temperatur, S: liksvävande temperatur, N: .
Tuning system dividing the octave into 12 equal -> semitones
(precisely 100 -> cents). -> temperament
- expression mark
- I: segno d'espressione, F: signe d'expression, indication de nuance, D:
Vortragszeichen, NL: voordrachtsteken, DK: foredragsbetegnelse, S:
föredragsbeteckning, N: .
Performance indications concerning 1. volume, dynamics (for example
-> forte, -> crescendo), 2. tempo (for example
-> andante, -> allegro)
- F
- ES: fa, I: fa, F: fa, D: F, f, NL: f, DK: f, S: f, N: f.
- F clef
- ES: Clave de Fa, I: chiave di fa, F: clé de fa, D: F-Schlüssel, NL: F-sleutel, DK:
F-nøgle, S: f-klav, N: .
The position between the dots of the key symbol is the line of the F below
central C. Used on the third, fourth and fifth note line. A digit 8 above the
clef symbol indicates that the notes must be played an octave higher (for
example bass recorder) while 8 below the clef symbol indicates playing an
octave lower (for example on double bass -> strings).
- fermata
- ES: Calderón, I: corona, F: F: point d'orgue, point d'arrêt,
D: Fermate, NL: fermate, DK: fermat, S: fermat, N: .
Prolonged note or rest of indefinite duration.
- fifth
- ES: quinta, I: quinta, F: quinte, D: Quinte, NL: kwint, DK: kvint, S: kvint, N:
kvint.
-> interval
- figured bass
- ES: bajo cifrado, -> thorough bass
- fingering
- ES: digitación, I: diteggiatura, F: doigté, D: Fingersatz, NL: vingerzetting, DK:
fingersætning, S: fingersättning, N: .
The methodical use of fingers in the playing of instruments.
- flag; pennant
- ES: corchete,
I: coda (uncinata), bandiera, F: crochet, D: Fahne, Fähnchen, NL: vlaggetje,
DK: fane, S: flagga, N: .
Ornament at the end of the stem of a note used for notes with values
less than a quarter note. The number of flags determines the
-> note value.
- flat
- ES: bemol, I: bemolle, F: bémol, D: B, b, NL: mol, DK: b, S: beförtecken, N: .
-> accidental
- forefall; backfall
- -> appoggiatura
- forte
- ES: forte, I: forte, F: forte, D: forte, Laut, NL: forte, DK: forte, S: forte, N: .
Loud, abbreviated f, fortissimo (ff) very loud,
mezzoforte (mf) medium loud.
- fourth
- ES: cuarta, I: quarta, F: quarte, D: Quarte, NL: kwart, DK: kvart, S: kvart, N: .
-> interval
- fugue
- ES: fuga, I: fuga, F: fugue, D: Fuge, NL: fuga, DK: fuga, S: fuga, N: .
-> counterpoint
- functional harmony
- ES: armon´ia funcional, I: armonia funzionale, F: étude des functions, D: Funktionslehre, NL: , DK:
funktionsanalyse, funktionsharmonik, S: funktionslära, N:
A system of harmonic analysis. It is based on the idea that, in a given key,
there are only three functionally different chords: tonic (T, the chord on the
first note of the scale), subdominant (S, the chord on the fourth note) and
dominant (D, the chord on the fifth note). Other are considered to be variants
of the base chords.
- G
- ES: sol, I: sol, F: sol, D: G, g, NL: g, DK: g, S: g, N: g.
- G clef
- ES: Clave de sol, I: chiave di sol, F: clé de sol, D: G-Schlüssel, Violinschlüssel, NL:
G-sleutel, DK: g-nøgle, S: g-klav, N: .
A clef symbol indicating the G above central C. Used on the first and second
note lines. A digit 8 above the clef symbol indicates that the notes must be
played an octave higher while 8 below the clef symbol indicates playing or
singing an octave lower (most tenor parts in choral scores are notated like
that).
- glissando
- ES: glissando, I: glissando, F: glissando, D: Glissando, NL: glissando, DK: glissando, S:
glissando, N: glissando.
Letting the pitch slide fluently from one note to the other
- grace notes
- I: abbellimenti, F: fioriture, D: Verzierungen, Vorschläge, Vorschlagsnoten,
NL: versieringen, DK: forsiringer, S: ornament, N: .
Notes printed in small types to indicate that their time values are not
counted in the rhythm of the bar. -> appoggiatura
- grand staff
- I: accolatura, F: accolade, D: Akkolade, NL: piano systeem, DK: klaversystem,
S: ackolad, böjd klammer, N: .
-> brace
A combination of two staffs with a brace. Usually used for piano music.
- grave
- ES: grave, I: grave, F: grave, D: grave, langsam, traurig, NL: grave, ernstig, DK: grave, S: grave, N:
.
Slow, solemn.
- half note
- ES: blanca, I: minima, F: blanche, UK: minim, D: Halbe, halbe Note, NL: halve noot, DK:
halvnode, S: halvnot, N: .
-> note value
- half rest
- I: pausa di minima, F: demi-pause, UK: minim rest, D: halbe Pause, NL: halve
rust, DK: halvnodespause, S: halvpaus, N: .
-> note value
- harmonic cadence
- ES: cadencia (armónica), I: cadenza (armonica), F: cadence harmonique, D: Schlusskadenz, NL:
harmonische cadens, DK: harmonisk kadence, S: (harmonisk) kadens, N: .
Sequence of chords that terminate a musical phrase or
section. ->
functional harmony
- harmony
- ES: armon´ia , I: armonia, F: harmonie, D: Harmonie, Zusammenklang, NL: harmonie, DK:
samklang, S: samklang, N:
Tones sounding simultaneously. Two note harmonies fall into the cathegories
consonances and dissonances.
Consonances:
Dissonances:
Three note harmony -> chord
- homophony
- ES: homofon´ia, I: omofonia, F: homophonie, D: Homophonie, NL: homofonie, DK: homofoni, S:
homofoni, N: .
Music in which one voice leads melodically followed by the other voices more
or less in the same rhythm. In contrast to -> polyphony.
- interval
- ES: intervalo, I: intervallo, F: intervalle, D: Intervall, NL: interval, DK: interval, S:
intervall, N: .
Difference in pitch between two notes. Intervals may be perfect, minor, major,
diminished or augmented. The augmented fourth and the diminished fifth are
identical (-> enharmonic) and is called tritonus because
it consists of three -> whole tones. The addition of such two
forms an octave.
- inverted interval
- ES: intervalo invertido, I: intervallo rivolto, F: intervalle renversé, D: umgekerhtes Intervall, NL:
interval inversie, DK: omvendingsinterval, S: intervallets omvändning, N: .
The difference between an interval and an octave.
- just intonation
- I: intonazione giusta, F: intonation juste, D: reine Stimmung, NL: reine
stemming, DK: ren stemning, S: ren stämning, N: .
Tuning system in which the notes are obtained by adding and subtracting
natural fifths and thirds. -> temperament
- key
- ES: tonalidad, I: tonalità, F: tonalité, D: Tonart, NL: toonsoort, DK: toneart, S:
tonart, N: .
According to the 12 tones of the -> chromatic scale there are 12
keys, one on c, one on c-sharp etc. -> key signature
- key signature
- ES: armadura de clave, I: armatura di chiave, F: armure, armature [de la clé], D: Vorzeichen,
Tonart, NL: toonsoort (voortekens), DK: faste fortegn,
S: tonartssignatur, N: .
The sharps or flats appearing at the beginning of each staff indicating the
key of the music. -> accidental
- largo
- ES: largo, I: largo, F: largo, D: Largo, Langsam, Breit, NL: largo, DK: largo, S: largo,
N: largo
Very slow in tempo, usually combined with great
expressiveness. Larghetto less slow than largo.
- leading note
- ES: sensible, I: sensibile, F: note sensible, D: Leitton, NL: leidtoon, DK: ledetone, S:
ledton, N: .
The seventh -> scale degree, a -> semitone below
the tonic; so called because of its strong tendency to "lead up" (resolve
upwards) to the tonic scale degree.
- ledger line; leger line
-
ES: l´ineas adicionales, I: tagli addizionali, F: ligne supplémentaire, D: Hilfslinie, NL:
hulplijntje, DK: hjælpelinie, S: hjälplinje, N: .
A ledger line is an extension of the staff.
- legato
- ES: ligado, I: legato, F: legato, lié, D: legato, NL: legato, DK: legato, S: legato, N:
.
To be performed without any perceptible interruption between the notes (a)
unlike leggiero or non-legato (b), portato (c) and
-> staccato (d)
- legato curve
- -> slur -> legato
- lilypond
- ES: estanque de lilas,
I: stagno del giglio, F: étang de lis, UK: lily pond, D: Seerosenteich, NL:
lelievijver, DK: liliedam, S: liljedamm, N: .
A pond with lilies floating in it, also the name of a music typesetter.
- line
- ES: l´inea, I: linea, F: ligne, D: Linie, Notenlinie, NL: lijn, DK: nodelinie, S:
notlinje, N: .
-> staff
- long appoggiatura
- ES: apoyatura larga, I: appoggiatura lunga, F: appoggiature longue, D: langer Vorschlag, DK: langt
forslag, S: långt förslag, N: .
-> appoggiatura
- longa
- ES: longa, I: longa, F: longa, D: Longa, NL: longa, DK: longa, S: longa, N: longa
note value: double length of -> brevis. -> note value
- major interval
- ES: intervalo mayor, I: intervallo maggiore, F: intervalle majeur, D: großes Intervall, NL:
groot interval, DK: stort interval, S: stort intervall, N: .
-> interval
- major
- ES: mayor, I: maggiore, F: [mode] majeur, D: Dur, NL: majeur, DK: dur, S: dur, N: dur.
-> diatonic scale
- meantone temperament
- I: accordatura mesotonica, F: tempérament mésotonique, D:
Mitteltönige Stimmung, DK: middeltonetemperatur, S: medeltonstemperatur, N: .
Temperament yielding acoustically pure thirds by decreasing the natural fifth
by 16 -> cents. Due to the non-circular character of this
-> temperament only a limited set of keys are playable. Used for
tuning keyboard instruments for performance of pre-1650 music.
- measure, bar
- ES: compás, I: misura, battuta, F: mesure, D: Takt, NL: maat, DK: takt, S: takt, N: takt.
A group of -> beats (units of musical time) the first of which
bears an accent. Such groups in numbers of two or more recur consistently
throughout the composition and are marked from each other by
bar-lines. -> meter
- mediant
- ES: mediante, I: mediante, modale, F: médiante, NL: mediant, D: Mediant, DK: mediant, S:
mediant, N: .
1. The third scale degree. 2. A -> chord having its base tone
a third from that of another chord. For example the tonic chord may be
replaced by its lower mediant (variant tonic). -> functional harmony -> relative key.
- melodic cadence
-
-> cadenza
- meter, time
- ES: compás, I: tempo, metro, F: indication de mésure, D: Taktart, Metrum, NL: maatsoort, DK: taktart,
S: taktart, N: .
The basic scheme of ->
note values and ->
accents
which remains unaltered throughout a composition or a section of it. For
instance 3/4 meter means that the basic ->
note values are
quarter-notes and that a -> measure consists of three of
those. According to whether there are two, three or four units to the measure,
one speaks of duple (2/2, 2/4, 2/8), triple (3/2, 3/4, 3/8) or
quadruple (4/2, 4/4, 4/8) meter. 4/4 is also called common meter.
- metronome
- ES: metrónomo, I: metronomo, F: métronome, D: Metronom, NL: metronoom,
DK: metronom, S: metronom, N: metronom.
Device indicating the exact tempo of a piece. -> metronomic indication
- metronomic indication
- ES: indicación metronómica, I: indicazione metronomica, F: indication métronomique, D: Metronomangabe,
NL: metronoom aanduiding, DK: metronomtal, S: metronomangivelse, N: .
Exact tempo indication (in beats per minute). Also denoted by
M.M. (Mälzel's Metronom)
- mezzo-soprano
- ES: mezzo soprano, I: mezzo-soprano, F: mezzo-soprano, D: Mezzosopran, NL: mezzosopraan, DK:
mezzosopran, S: mezzosopran, N: mezzosopran.
The female voice between -> soprano and
-> contralto.
- middle C
- ES: do central, I: do centrale, F: do central, D: eingestrichenes c, NL: centrale c, DK:
enstreget c, S: ettstruket c, N:
First C below the 440 Hz A.
- minor interval
- ES: intervalo mayor, I: intervallo minore, F: intervalle mineur, D: kleines Intervall, NL: klein
interval, DK: lille interval, S: litet intervall, N: .
-> interval
- minor
- ES: menor, I: minore, F: mode mineur, D: Moll, NL: mineur, DK: mol, S: moll, N: .
-> diatonic scale
- mode
- ES: modo, I: modo, F: mode, D: Modus, NL: modus, DK: skala, S: modus, skala, N: .
-> church mode -> diatonic scale
- modulation
- ES: modulación, I: modulazione, F: modulation, D: Modulation, NL: modulatie, DK: modulation,
S: modulering, N: .
Moving from one -> key to another. For example the second
subject of a -> sonata form movement modulates to the dominant
key if the key is major and to the -> relative key if the key
is minor.
- mordent
- I: mordente, F: mordant, D: Mordent, NL: mordent, DK: mordent, S: mordent, N:
.
-> ornament
- motive; motif
- ES: tema,
I: inciso, F: incise, D: Motiv, NL: motief, DK: motiv, S: motiv, N: .
The briefest intelligible and self-contained fragment of a musical theme or
subject.
- movement
- ES: movimiento, I: movimento, F: mouvement, D: Satz, NL: deel, DK: sats, S: sats, N: .
Greater musical works like -> symphony and
-> sonata most often consist of several - more or less -
independant pieces called movements.
- multibar rest
- ES: compases de espera, I: pausa multipla, F: pause multiple, NL: meermaats rust, D:
mehrtaktige Pause, DK: flertaktspause, S: flertaktspaus, N: .
- mixolydian mode
- -> diatonic scale
- natural sign
- ES: becuadro, I: bequadro, F: bécarre, D: Auflösungszeichen, NL: herstellingsteken,
DK: opløsningstegn, S: återställningstecken, N: .
-> accidental
- neighbour tones
- -> appoggiatura
- ninth
- ES: novena, I: nona, F: neuvième, D: None, NL: noon, DK: none, S: nona, N: .
-> interval
- non-legato
- -> legato
- note
- ES: nota, I: nota, F: note, D: Note, NL: noot, DK: node, S: not, N: ,
Notes are signs by means of which music is fixed in writing. The term is also
used for the sound indicated by a note, and even for the key of the piano
which produces the sound. However, a clear distinction between the terms tone
and -> note is strongly recommended. Briefly, one sees a note,
and hears a tone.
- note head
- ES: oval, I: testa, testina, capocchia, F: tête de la note, D: Notenkopf, NL:
nootballetje, DK: nodehovede, S: nothuvud, N: .
A head like sign which indicates pitch by its position on a
-> staff provided with a -> clef, and duration
by a variety of shapes such as hollow or black heads with or without
-> stems, -> flags etc. For percussion
instruments (often having no defined pitch) the note head may indicate the
instrument.
- note value
- ES: valor, I: valore, durata, F: durée, valeur (d'une note), D: Notenwert, NL:
nootwaarde, DK nodeværdi, S: notvärde, N: .
Note values (durations) are measured as fractions, normally 1/2, of the next
higher note value. The longest duration normally used is called brevis,
but sometimes (mostly in pre baroque music) the double length note value
longa is used.
An augmentation dot after a note multiplies the duration by one and a
half. Another dot adds yet a fourth of the duration.
Alternatively note values may be subdivided by other ratios. Most common is
subdivision by 3 (triplets) and 5 (quintuplets). Subdivisions by
2 (tuplets) or 4 (quadruplets) of dotted notes are also
frequently used.
- octave sign
- -> g clef -> f clef
- octave
- ES: octava, I: ottava, F: octave, D: Oktave, NL: octaaf, DK: oktav, S: oktav, N: .
-> interval
- ornament; embellishment; accessory
- ES: adorno,
I: abbellimento, fioriture, F: agrément, ornement, D: Verzierung, Ornament,
NL: versiering, DK: forsiring, S: ornament, N: .
Most commonly used is the trill, the rapid alternation of a given note
with the diatonic -> second above it. In the music from the
middle of the 19th century and onwards the trill is performed with the main
note first while in the music from the preceding baroque and classic periods
the upper note is played first.
Other frequently used ornaments are the turn, the mordent and the
prall (inverted mordent).
-> appoggiatura
- ossia
- ES: ossia, I: ossia, F: ossia, D: Ossia, NL: alternatief, DK: ossia, S: ossia, N: .
Ossia (otherwise) marks an alternative. It is an added staff or piano
score, usually only a few measures long, which presents another version
of the music, for example for small hands.
- part
- ES: parte, I: voce, parte, F: partie, D: Stimme, NL: partij, DK: stemme, S: stämma, N: .
1. In instrumental or choral music the music for the single instrument
or voice. 2. in contrapuntal music -> counterpoint the single
melodic line of the contrapuntal web.
- percussion
- ES: percusión, I: percussioni, F: percussion, D: Schlagzeug, NL: slagwerk, DK: slagtøj, S:
slagverk, N: .
A family of musical instruments which are played on by striking or
shaking. Percussion instruments commonly used in a symphony orchestra are
kettledrums (I: timpani, D: Pauken), snare drum, bass drum,
tambourine, cymbals, chinese gong (tam-tam), triangle, celesta, glockenspiel
and xylophone.
- perfect interval
- ES: intervalo justo,
I: intervallo giusto, F: intervalle juste, D: reines Intervall, NL: rein
interval, DK: rent interval, S: rent intervall, N: .
-> interval
- phrase
- ES: frase, I: frase, F: phrase, D: Phrase, NL: frase, zin, DK: frase, S: fras, N: .
A natural division of the melodic line, comparable to a sentence of speech.
- phrasing
- ES: fraseo, I: fraseggio, F: phrasé, D: Phrasierung, NL: frasering, DK: frasering, S:
frasering, N: .
The clear rendering in musical performance of the -> phrases of
the melody. Phrasing may be indicated by a -> slur.
- piano
- ES: piano, I: piano, F: piano, D: piano, leise, NL: piano, DK: piano, S: piano, N: .
piano (p) soft, pianissimo (pp) very soft,
mezzopiano (mp) medium soft.
- pitch
- ES: altura, I: altezza, F: hauteur, D: Tonhöhe, NL: toonhoogte, DK: tonehøjde, S:
tonhöjd, N: .
- pizzicato
- ES: pizzicato, I: pizzicato, F: pizzicato, D: pizzicato, NL: pizzicato, getokkeld, DK:
pizzicato, S: pizzicato.
Play by plucking the strings.
- polyphony
- ES: polifon´ia, I: polifonia, F: polyphonie, D: Polyphonie, NL: polyfonie, DK: polyfoni, S:
polyfoni, N: .
Music written in a combination of several simultaneous voices (parts) of a
more or less pronounced individuality. -> counterpoint
- portato
- -> legato
- presto
- ES: presto, I: presto, F: presto, D: Presto, Sehr schnell, NL: presto, Sehr schnell, DK:
presto, S: presto, N: .
Very quick, i.e. quicker than -> allegro. prestissimo
denotes the highest possible degree of speed.
- Pythagorean comma
- ES: coma pitagórico,
I: comma pitagorico, F: comma pythagoricien, D: Pythagoräisches Komma, NL:
komma van Pythagoras, DK: pythagoræisk komma, S: pytagoreiskt komma, N: .
A sequence of fifths starting on C eventually circles back to C, but this C,
obtained by adding 12 fifths, is 24 -> cents higher than the C
obtained by adding 7 octaves. The difference between those two pitches is
called the Pythagorean comma.
- quadruplet
- ES: cuatrillo, I: quartina, F: quartolet, D: Quartole, NL: kwartool, DK: kvartol, S: kvartol,
N: .
-> note value
- quarter note
- ES: negra, I: semiminima, nera, F: noire, UK: crotchet, D: Viertel, Viertelnote, NL:
kwartnoot, DK: fjerdedelsnode, S: fjärdedelsnot, N:
-> note value
- quarter rest
- ES: silencio de negra, I: pausa di semiminima, F: soupir, UK: crotchet rest, D: Viertelpause, NL:
kwart rust, DK: fjerdedelspause, S: fjärdedelspaus, N: .
-> note value
- quintuplet
- ES: quintillo, I: quintina, F: quintolet, D: Quintole, NL: kwintool, DK: kvintol, S:
kvintol, N: .
-> note value
- rallentando
- ES: rallentando, I: rallentando, F: rallentando, D: rallentando, langsamer, NL: rallentando, DK:
rallentando, S: rallentando, N: rallentando.
Abbreviation "rall.". -> ritardando
- relative key
- ES: relativa, I: tonalità relativa, F: tonalité relative, D: Paralleltonart, DK:
paralleltoneart, S: parallelltonart, N: .
-> Major and -> minor -> key with
the same -> signature.
- repeat
- ES: barra de repetición, I: ritornello, F: barre de reprise, D: Wiederholung, NL: herhaling, DK:
gentagelse, S: repris, N: .
- rest
- ES: silencio, I: pausa, F: silence, D: Pause, NL: rust, DK: pause, S: paus, N: .
-> note value
- rhythm
- ES: ritmo, I: ritmo, F: rythme, D: Rhythmus, NL: ritme, DK: rytme, S: rytm, N: .
(a) metrical rhythm in which every time value is a multiple or fraction of a
fixed unit of time, called -> beat, and in which the normal
-> accent recurs in regular intervals, called
-> measure. The basic scheme scheme of time values is called
-> meter. (b) Measured rhythm which lacks regularly recurrent
accent. In modern notation such music appears as a free alternation of
different measures. (c) Free rhythm, i.e. the use of temporal values having no
common metrical unit (beat).
- ritardando
- ES: retardando, I: ritardando, F: ritardando, D: Ritardando, Langsamer, NL: ritardando, DK:
ritardando, S: ritardando, N: .
Gradually slackening in speed. Mostly abbreviated to rit. or ritard.
- ritenuto
- ES: ritenuto, I: ritenuto, F: ritenuto, D: Ritenuto, NL: ritenuto, DK: ritenuto, S:
ritenuto, N: .
Immediate reduction of speed.
- scale
- ES: escala, I: scala, F: gamme, D: Tonleiter, NL: toonladder, DK: Skala, S: skala, N: .
-> diatonic scale
- scale degree
- ES: grados de la escala, I: grado della scala, F: degré [de la gamme], D: Tonleiterstufe, NL: trap
[van de toonladder], DK: skalatrin, S: skalsteg (?), N: .
Names and symbols used in harmonic analysis to denote tones of the scale as
roots of chords. The most important are degrees I = tonic (T), IV =
subdominant (S) and V = dominant (D).
-> functional harmony
- score
- ES: partitura, I: partitura, F: partition, D: Partitur, NL: partituur, DK: partitur, S:
partitur, N: .
A copy of orchestral, choral or chamber music showing what each instrument is
to play, each voice to sing, having each part arranged one underneath the
other on different -> staves.
- second
- ES: segunda, I: secunda, F: seconde, D: Sekunde, NL: secunde, DK: sekund, S: sekund, N: .
The -> interval between two neigbouring tones of a scale. A
-> diatonic scale consists of alternating
-> semitones and -> whole tones, hence the size
of a second depends on the scale degrees in question.
- semitone
- ES: semitono, I: semitono, F: demi-ton, D: Halbton, NL: halve toon, DK: halvtone, S:
halvton, N: .
The -> interval of a minor second. The (usually) smallest
interval in European composed music. The interval between two neighbouring
tones on the piano keyboard - including black and white keys - is a
semitone. An octave may be divided into 12
semitones. -> interval -> chromatic scale
- seventh
- ES: séptima, I: settima, F: septième, D: Septime, NL: septiem, DK: septim, S: septim, N: .
-> interval
- sextuplet, sextolet
- I: sestina, F: sextolet, D: Sextole, NL: sextool, DK: sekstol, S: sextol, N:
.
-> note value
- sharp
- ES: sostenido, I: diesis, F: dièse, D: Kreuz, NL: kruis, DK: kryds, S: korsförtecken, N: .
-> accidental
- short appoggiatura
- -> appoggiatura
- sixteenth note
- ES: semicorchea, I: semicroma, F: double croche, UK: semiquaver, D: Sechzehntel,
Sechzehntelnote, NL: zestiende noot, DK: sekstendedelsnode, S:
sextondelsnot, N: .
-> note value
- sixteenth rest
- ES: silencia de semicorchea, I: pausa di semicroma, F: quart de soupir, UK: semiquaver rest, D:
Sechzehntelpause, NL: zestiende rust, DK: sekstendedelspause, S:
sextondelspaus, N: .
-> note value
- sixth
- ES: sexta, I: sesta, F: sixte, D: Sexte, NL: sext, DK: sekst, S: sext, N: .
-> interval
- sixty-fourth note
- ES: semifusa,
I: semibiscroma, F: quadruple croche, UK: hemidemisemiquaver, D:
Vierundsechzigstel, Vierundsechzigstelnote, NL: vierenzestigste noot, DK:
fireogtredsindstyvendedelsnode, S:
sextiofjärdedelsnot, N: .
-> note value
- sixty-fourth rest
- ES: silencia de semifusa,
I: pausa di semibiscroma, F: seizième de soupir, UK: hemidemisemiquaver
rest, D: Vierundsechzigstelpause, NL: vierenzestigste rust, DK:
fireogtredsindstyvendedelspause, S:
sextiofjärdedelspaus, N: .
-> note value
- slur
- ES: ligadura, I: legatura (di portamento or espressiva), F: liaison, coulé, D: Bogen,
Bindebogen, Legatobogen, Phrasierungsbogen, NL: binding, bindingsboog,
DK: legatobue, fraseringsbue, S: båge, N: .
A slur above or below a group of notes indicates that they are to be played
-> legato, e.g. with one stroke of the violin bow or with one
breath in singing.
- solmization
- I: solmisazione, F: solmisation, D: Solmisation, NL: solmizatie, DK:
solmisation, S: solmisation, N: .
General term for systems of designating the degrees of the
-> scale, not by letters, but by syllables (do
(ut), re, mi, fa, sol, la, si
(ti)). -> scale degree.
- sonata
- ES: sonata, I: sonata, F: sonate, D: Sonate, NL: sonate, DK: sonate, S: sonat, N: .
In its present-day meaning a sonata denotes an instrumental composition for
piano or for some other instrument with piano accompaniment, which consists of
three or four independant pieces, called movements.
- sonata form
- ES: forma sonata, I: forma sonata, F: [en] forme de sonate, D: Sonatenform, NL: hoofdvorm,
sonatevorm, DK: sonateform, S: sonatform, N: .
A form used frequently for single movements of the -> sonata,
-> symphony, quartet etc. A movement written in sonata form
falls in three sections called exposition, development and
recapitulation. In the exposition the composer introduces his musical
ideas, consisting of a number of themes; in the development section he
"develops" this material, and in the recapitulation he repeats the exposition,
with certain modifications however. The exposition contains a number of themes
which fall into two groups, often called first and second subject. Other
melodies occurring in each group are considered as continuations of these
two. The second theme is in another key, normally in the key of the
-> dominant if the -> tonic is
-> major, and in the -> relative key if the
tonic is -> minor.
- soprano
- ES: soprano, I: soprano, F: soprano, D: Sopran, NL: sopraan, DK: sopran, S: sopran, N: .
The highest female voice.
- staccato
- ES: staccato, I: staccato, F: staccato, piqué, détaché, D: staccato, NL: staccato, DK:
staccato, S: staccato, N:
Playing the note(s) short. Staccato is indicated by a dot above or below the
notehead.
- staff
- ES: pentagrama, I: pentagramma, rigo (musicale), F: portée, D: Notensystem, NL: (noten)balk;
partij, DK: nodesystem, S: notsystem, N: .
pl. staves or staffs. A series of (normally 5) horizontal lines upon and
between which the musical notes are written, thus indicating (in connection
with a -> clef) their pitch. Staffs for
-> percussion instruments may have fewer lines.
- stem
- ES: plica, I: gamba, F: queue, D: Hals, Notenhals, Stiel, NL: stok, DK: hals, S: skaft,
N: .
Vertical line above or below a -> note head shorter than a whole
note. -> beam
- strings
- ES: arcos, cuerdas, I: archi, F: cordes, D: Streicher, NL: strijkers, DK: strygere, S:
stråkar, N: .
A family of stringed musical instruments played with a bow. Strings commonly
used in a symphony orchestra are violin, viola, violoncello and double bass.
- strong beat
- ES: tiempo fuerte, I: tempo forte, F: temps fort, D: betonter Taktteil oder -schlag, NL: thesis,
D: betonet taktslag, S: betonat taktslag, N: .
-> beat -> accent -> measure
-> rhythm
- subdominant
- ES: subdominante, I: sottodominante, F: sous-dominante, D: Subdominante, NL: subdominant, DK:
subdominant, S: subdominant, N: .
The fourth -> scale degree. -> functional harmony
- submediant
- ES: superdominante, I: sopratonica, F: sous-médiante, D: Submediant, NL: submediant, DK:
Submediant, S: submediant, N: .
The sixth -> scale degree.
- subtonic
- ES: sensible, I: sottotonica, F: sous-tonique, D: Subtonika, NL: subtonica, DK: Subtonika, S:
subtonika, N: .
The seventh -> scale degree
- superdominant
- ES: superdominante, I: sopradominante, F: sus-dominante, D: Superdominant, NL: superdominant, DK:
superdominant, S: superdominant, N: .
The sixth -> scale degree
- supertonic
- ES: supertónica, I: sopratonica, F: sus-tonique, D: Supertonika, NL: supertonica, DK:
supertonika, S: supertonika, N: .
The second -> scale degree.
- symphony
- ES: sinfon´ia, I: sinfonia, F: symphonie, D: Sinfonie, NL: symfonie, DK: symfoni, S: symfoni,
N: .
A symphony may be defined as a -> sonata for orchestra.
- syncopation
- ES: sincopado, I: sincope, F: syncope, D: Synkope, NL: syncope, DK: synkope, S: synkop, N: .
Any deliberate upsetting of the normal pulse of -> meter,
-> accent and -> rhythm. Our system of musical
rhythm rests upon the grouping of equal beats into groups of two or three,
with a regularly recurrent accent on the first beat of each group. Any
deviation from this scheme is felt as a disturbance or contradiction between
the underlaying (normal) pulse and the actual (abnormal) rhythm.
- syntonic comma; dydimic comma
-
I: comma sintonico (o didimico), F: comma syntonique, D: Syntonisches Komma,
NL: syntonische komma, DK: syntonisk komma, S: syntoniskt komma, N: .
Difference between the natural third and the third obtained by Pythagorean
tuning (-> Pythagorean comma), equal to 22 cents.
- system
- I: accollatura, F: système, D: Notensystem, NL: systeem, DK: system, S:
system, N: .
The collection of staves -> staff, two or more, as used for the
writing down of keyboard, chamber, choral or orchestral music.
- temperament
- ES: temperamento, I: temperamento, F: tempérament, D: Stimmung, Temperatur, NL: temperament,
DK: temperatur, S: temperatur, N: .
Systems of tuning in which the intervals deviate from the accoustically pure
intervals. -> meantone temperament -> equal temperament
- tempo indication
- ES: indicación de tempo, I: indicazione di tempo, F: indication de temps, D: Zeitmaß,
Tempobezeichnung, NL: tempo aanduiding, DK: tempobetegelse, S:
tempobeteckning, N: .
The rate of speed of a composition or a section thereof, ranging from the
slowest to the quickest, as is indicated by tempo marks as
-> largo, -> adagio, -> andante,
-> allegro and -> presto.
- tenor
- ES: tenor, I: tenore, F: ténor, D: Tenor, NL: tenor, DK: tenor, S: tenor, N: .
The highest voice of men (apart from -> counter tenor)
- tenth
- ES: décima, I: decima, F: dixième, D: Dezime, NL: deciem, DK: decim, S: decima, N: .
-> note value
- third
- ES: tercera, I: terza, F: tierce, D: Terz, NL: terts, DK: terts, S: ters, N: .
-> interval
- thirty-second note
- ES: fusa,
I: biscroma, F: triple croche, UK: demisemiquaver, D:
Zweiunddreißigstel, Zweiunddreißigstelnote, NL: twee-endertigste
noot, DK: toogtredivtedelsnode, S: trettiotvåondelsnot, N: .
-> note value
- thirty-second rest
- ES: silencio de fusa,
I: pausa di biscroma, F: huitième de soupir, UK: demisemiquaver rest, D:
Zweiunddreißigstelpause, NL: 32e rust, DK: toogtredivtedelspause, S:
trettiotvåondelspaus, N: .
-> note value
- thorough bass; figured bass
- ES: bajo cifrado,
I: basso continuo, basso numerato, F: basse chiffrée, D: Generalbass,
bezifferter Bass, NL: basso continuo, DK: generalbas, S: generalbas, N: .
A method of indicating an accompaniment part by the bass notes only, together
with figures designating the chief -> intervals and
-> chords to be played above the bass notes.
- tie; bind
- ES: ligadura de prolongación,
I: legatura (di valore), F: liaison, D: Haltebogen, NL: overbinding, DK:
bindebue, S: bindebåge, överbindning, N: .
A curved line, identical in appearance with the -> slur, which
connects two succesive notes of the same pitch, and which has the function of
uniting them into a single sound equal to the combined durations.
- time signature
-
ES: cifra indicadora de compás,
I: segni di tempo, F: chiffrage (chiffres indicateurs), signe de valeur, D:
Taktangabe, Angabe der Taktart, NL: maatsoort, DK: taktangivelse, S:
taktartssignatur, N: .
-> meter
- tone
- ES: sonido, I: suono, F: ton, D: Ton, NL: toon, DK: tone, S: ton, N: .
A sound of definite pitch and duration, as distinct from noise. Tone is
a primary building material of music. Music from the 20th century may be based
on non tone related sounds.
- tonic
- ES: tonica, I: tonica, F: tonique, D: Tonika, NL: tonica, DK: tonika, S: tonika, N: .
The first -> scale degree-> functional harmony
- transposition
- ES: transposición, I: trasposizione, F: transposition, D: Transposition, NL: transpositie, DK:
transposition, S: transponering, N: .
Shifting a melody up or down in pitch, while keeping the same relative pitches.
- treble clef
- ES: clave de sol, I: chiave di violino, F: clé de sol, D: Violinschlüssel,
Sopranschlüssel, NL: viool sleutel, DK: diskantnøgle, S: diskantklav,
N: .
-> G clef
- tremolo
- ES: tremolo, I: tremolo, F: trémolo, D: Tremolo, NL: tremolo, DK: tremolo, S: tremolo, N:
.
On stringed instruments (-> strings) the quick reiteration of
the same tone, produced by a rapid up-and-down movement movement of the bow
(a). The term is also used for the rapid alternation (b) between two notes of
a -> chord, usually in the distance of a third
(-> interval).
- triad
- ES: tr´iada, I: triade, F: triade, accord parfait, accord de trois sons, D: Dreiklang, NL:
drieklank, DK: treklang, S: treklang, N:
-> chord
- trill; shake
- ES: trino,
I: trillo, F: trille, tremblement, battement (cadence), D: Triller, NL:
triller, DK: trille, S: drill, N: .
-> ornament
- triple meter
- ES: compás compuesto , I: tempo ternario, F: mesure ternaire, D: dreiteiliger Takt, NL: driedelige
maatsoort, DK: tredelt takt, S: tretakt, N: .
-> meter
- triplet
- ES: tresillo, I: terzina, F: triolet, D: Triole, NL: triool, DK: triol, S: triol, N: .
-> note value
- tritone
- ES: tr´itono, I: tritono, F: triton, D: Tritonus, NL: tritoon, DK: tritonus, S: tritonus, N:
.
-> interval
- tuning fork
- ES: diapasón, I: diapason, corista, F: diapason, D: Stimmgabel, NL: stemvork, DK:
stemmegaffel, S: stämgaffel, N: .
A two-pronged piece of steel used to indicate absolute pitch. Tuning forks
give the international pitch for the tone a (440 vibrations per second.)
- turn; gruppetto
- ES: grupo,
I: gruppetto, F: grupetto, D: Doppelschlag, NL: dubbelslag, DK: dobbeltslag,
S: dubbelslag, N: .
- unison
- ES: un´isono, I: unisono, F: unisson, D: Unison, unisono, NL: unisono, DK: unison, S:
unison, N: .
Playing of the same notes or the same melody by various instruments (voices)
or by the whole orchestra (choir), either at exactly the same pitch or in a
different octave.
- upbeat
- ES: entrada anacrúsica, I: anacrusi, F: anacrouse, levée, D: Auftakt, NL: opmaat, DK: optakt, S:
upptakt, N:
Initial note(s) of a melody occurring before the first bar
line. -> measure -> meter
- voice
- ES: voz, I: voce, F: voix, D: Stimme, NL: stem, DK: stemme, S: stämma, N: ,
1. Human voices: -> soprano, -> mezzo-soprano,
-> contralto, -> tenor,
-> baritone, -> bass. 2. A melodic layer or part
of a polyphonic composition.
- weak beat
- ES: tiempo débil, I: tempo debole, arsi, F: temps faible, D: unbetonter Taktteil oder -schlag,
NL: arsis, DK: ubetonet taktslag, S: obetonat taktslag, N: .
-> beat -> measure -> rhythm
- whole note
- ES: redonda, I: semibreve, F: ronde, UK: semibreve, D: Ganze, Ganze Note, NL: hele noot,
DK: helnode, S: helnot, N: .
-> note value
- whole rest
- ES: silencio de redonda, I: pausa di semibreve, F: pause, UK: semibreve rest, D: Ganze Pause, NL: hele
rust, DK: helnodespause, S: helpaus, N: .
-> note value
- whole tone
- ES: tono, I: tono intero, F: ton entier, D: Ganzton, NL: hele toon, DK: heltone, S:
helton, N: .
The -> interval of a major second. The interval between two
tones on the piano keyboard with exactly one key between them - including
black and white keys - is a whole tone.
- woodwind
- ES: maderas, I: legni, F: les bois, D: Holzbläser, NL: houtblazers, DK træblæsere,
S: träblåsare, N: .
A family of blown wooden musical instruments. Today some of these instruments
are actually made from metal. The woodwind instruments commonly used in a
symphony orchestra are flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon.
- DURATION NAMES, NOTES AND RESTS
| UK | I | F | D |
NL | DK | S | N
|
| longa | longa | longa | Longa | longa | longa
| longa | longa | longa
|
| breve | breve | breve | brève | Brevis |
brevis | brevis | brevis | brevis
|
| whole | semibreve | semibreve | ronde |
Ganze | hele | hel | hel |
|
| half | minim | minima | blanche | Halbe |
halve | halv | halv |
|
| quarter | crotchet | semiminima | noire |
Viertel | kwart | fjerdedel | fjärdedel |
|
| eighth | quaver | croma | croche | Achtel |
achtste | ottendedel | åttondel |
|
| sixteenth | semiquaver | semicroma | double croche
| Sechzehntel | zestiende | sekstendedel | sextondel
|
|
| thirty-second | demisemiquaver | biscroma |
triple croche | Zweiunddreißigstel | twee-endertigste
| toogtredivte-del | trettiotvåondel |
|
| sixty-fourth | hemidemisemiquaver |
semibiscroma | quadruple croche | Vierundsechzigstel |
vierenzestigste | fireogtredsindstyvendedel |
sextiofjärdedel |
|
- PITCH NAMES
| I | F | D |
NL | DK | S | N
|
| c | do | ut | C | c | c | c | c
|
| c-sharp | do diesis | ut dièse | Cis | cis |
cis | cis | cis
|
| d-flat | re bemolle | ré bémol | Des | des |
des | des | des
|
| d | re | ré | D | d | d | d | d
|
| e | mi | mi | E | e | e | e | e
|
| f | fa | fa | F | f | f | f | f
|
| g | sol | sol | G | g | g | g | g
|
| a-flat | la bemolle | la bémol | As | as | as
| as | as
|
| a | la | la | A | a | a | a | a
|
| a-sharp | la diesis | la dièse | Ais | ais |
ais | ais | ais
|
| b-flat | si bemolle | si bémol | B | bes | b
| b | b
|
| b | si | si | H | b | h | h | h
|
- --------------------
-
- Literature used
- The Harvard Dictionary of Music, London 1944. Many more or less litteral
quotes from its articles have been included into the item explanation texts.
Hugo Riemans Musiklexicon, Berlin 1929
Polyglottes Wörterbuch der musikalisch Terminologie, Kassel 1980
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, Third Edition 1974.
|