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<

ul>

  • 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
    I: la, F: la, D: A, a, NL: a, DK: a, S: a, N: a.
    accent
    I: accento, F: accent, D: Akzent, NL: accent, DK: accent, S: accent, N:

    The stress of one tone over others.

    accidental
    I: alterazione, accidente, F: altération accidentelle, 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
    I: accelerando, F: accelerando, en accélérant, D: accelerando, Schneller, NL: accelerando, DK: accelerando, S: accelerando, N:

    Still faster tempo.

    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: andante, F: andante, D: Andante, NL: andante, DK: andante, S: andante, N: andante.

    walking tempo/character

    appoggiatura
    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
    I: arpeggio, F: arpège, D: Arpeggio, Akkordbrechungen, gebrochener Akkord, NL: gebroken akoord, DK: arpeggio, akkordbrydning, S: arpeggio, N:


    ascending interval
    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
    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
    I: si, F: si, D: H, h, NL: b, DK: h, S: h, N: h.
    backfall; forefall
    -> appoggiatura
    bar line
    I: stanghetta, barra (di divisione), F: barre (de mesure), D: Taktstrich, NL: maatstreep, DK: taktstreg, S: taktstreck, N:
    bar
    -> measure
    baritone
    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
    I: chiave di baritono, F: clef de ut cinquième ligne, clef de troisième ligne, 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: do, F: ut, D: C, c, NL: c, DK: c, S: c, N: c
    C clef
    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
    I: cadenza, F: cadence, D: Kadenz, NL: cadens, DK: kadence, S: kadens, N: .

    -> harmonic cadence -> functional harmony

    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
    I: canone, F: canon, D: Kanon, NL: canon, DK: kanon, S: kanon, N: .

    -> counterpoint

    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: modo ecclesiastico, F: mode ecclésiastique, D: Kirchentonart, NL: kerktoonladder, DK: kirketoneart, S: kyrkotonart, N:

    -> diatonic scale

    clef
    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
    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
    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
    I: consonanza, F: consonance, D: Konsonanz, NL: consonant, DK: konsonans, S: konsonans, N:

    -> harmony

    contralto
    I: contralto, F: contralto, D: Alt, NL: contralto, DK: alt, S: alt, N:

    -> alto

    counterpoint
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: re, F: ré, D: D, d, NL: d, DK: d, S: d, N: d
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: intervallo diminuito, F: intervalle diminué, D: vermindertes Intervall, NL: verminderd interval, DK: formindsket interval, S: förminskat intervall, N: .

    -> interval

    diminuendo
    I: diminuendo, F: diminuendo, D: Diminuendo, NL: diminuendo, DK: diminuendo, S: diminuendo, N: diminuendo.

    -> decrescendo

    disjunct movement
    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
    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
    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
    I: dominante, F: dominante, D: Dominante, NL: dominant, DK: dominant, S: dominant, N: .

    The fifth -> scale degree -> functional harmony

    dorian mode
    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)
    I: punto (di valore), F: point, D: Punkt (Verlängerungspunkt), NL: punt, DK: punkt, S: punkt, N:

    -> dotted note

    dotted note
    I: nota puntata, F: note pointée, D: punktierte Note, NL: gepuncteerde noot, DK: punkteret node, S: punkterad not, N:

    -> note value

    double appoggiatura
    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
    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
    I: doppio bemolle, F: double bémol, D: Doppel-B, NL: dubbelmol, DK: dobbelt-b, S: dubbelbe, N: .

    -> accidental

    double sharp
    I: doppio diesis, F: double dièse, D: Doppelkreuz, NL: dubbelkruis, DK: dobbeltkryds, S: dubbelkors, N: .

    -> accidental

    double trill
    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
    I: tempo binario, F: temps binaire, D: zweiteiliger Takt, NL: tweedelige maatsoort, DK: todelt takt, S: tvåtakt, N: .

    -> meter

    duplet
    I: duina, F: duolet, D: Duole, NL: duool, DK: duol, S: duol, N: .

    -> note value

    duration
    I: durata, F: durée, D: Dauer, Länge, NL: duur, lengte, DK: varighed, S: tonlängd, N: .

    -> note value

    dydimic comma
    -> syntonic comma
    E
    I: mi, F: mi, D: E, e, NL: e, DK: e, S: e, N: e.
    eighth note
    I: croma, F: croche, UK: quaver, D: Achtel, Achtelnote, NL: achtste noot, DK: ottendedelsnode, S: åttondelsnot, N: .

    -> note value

    eighth rest
    I: pausa di croma, F: demi-soupir, UK: quaver rest, D: Achtelpause, NL: achtste rust, DK: ottendedelspause, S: åttonddelspaus, N: .

    -> note value

    engraving
    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
    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
    I: fa, F: fa, D: F, f, NL: f, DK: f, S: f, N: f.
    F clef
    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
    I: corona, F: pause, D: Fermate, NL: fermate, DK: fermat, S: fermat, N: .

    Prolonged note or rest of indefinite duration.


    fifth
    I: quinta, F: quinte, D: Quinte, NL: kwint, DK: kvint, S: kvint, N: kvint.

    -> interval

    figured bass
    -> thorough bass
    fingering
    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
    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
    I: bemolle, F: bémol, D: B, b, NL: mol, DK: b, S: beförtecken, N: .

    -> accidental

    forefall; backfall
    -> appoggiatura
    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
    I: quarta, F: quarte, D: Quarte, NL: kwart, DK: kvart, S: kvart, N: .

    -> interval

    fugue
    I: fuga, F: fugue, D: Fuge, NL: fuga, DK: fuga, S: fuga, N: .

    -> counterpoint

    functional harmony
    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
    I: sol, F: sol, D: G, g, NL: g, DK: g, S: g, N: g.
    G clef
    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
    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
    I: grave, F: grave, D: grave, langsam, traurig, NL: grave, ernstig, DK: grave, S: grave, N: .

    Slow, solemn.

    half note
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: linea, F: ligne, D: Linie, Notenlinie, NL: lijn, DK: nodelinie, S: notlinje, N: .

    -> staff

    long appoggiatura
    I: appoggiatura lunga, F: appoggiature longue, D: langer Vorschlag, DK: langt forslag, S: långt förslag, N: .

    -> appoggiatura

    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
    I: intervallo maggiore, F: intervalle majeur, D: großes Intervall, NL: groot interval, DK: stort interval, S: stort intervall, N: .

    -> interval

    major
    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
    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
    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
    I: tempo, metro, F: mètre, 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: intervallo minore, F: intervalle mineur, D: kleines Intervall, NL: klein interval, DK: lille interval, S: litet intervall, N: .

    -> interval

    minor
    I: minore, F: mode mineur, D: Moll, NL: mineur, DK: mol, S: moll, N: .

    -> diatonic scale

    mode
    I: modo, F: mode, D: Modus, NL: modus, DK: skala, S: modus, skala, N: .

    -> church mode -> diatonic scale

    modulation
    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
    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
    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
    I: pausa multipla, F: pause multiple, NL: meermaats rust, D: mehrtaktige Pause, DK: flertaktspause, S: flertaktspaus, N: .


    mixolydian mode
    -> diatonic scale
    natural sign
    I: bequadro, F: bécarre, D: Auflösungszeichen, NL: herstellingsteken, DK: opløsningstegn, S: återställningstecken, N: .

    -> accidental

    neighbour tones
    -> appoggiatura
    ninth
    I: nona, F: neuvième, D: None, NL: noon, DK: none, S: nona, N: .

    -> interval

    non-legato
    -> legato
    note
    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
    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
    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
    I: ottava, F: octave, D: Oktave, NL: octaaf, DK: oktav, S: oktav, N: .

    -> interval

    ornament; embellishment; accessory
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: intervallo giusto, F: intervalle juste, D: reines Intervall, NL: rein interval, DK: rent interval, S: rent intervall, N: .

    -> interval

    phrase
    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
    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
    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
    I: altezza, F: hauteur, D: Tonhöhe, NL: toonhoogte, DK: tonehøjde, S: tonhöjd, N: .
    pizzicato
    I: pizzicato, F: pizzicato, D: pizzicato, NL: pizzicato, getokkeld, DK: pizzicato, S: pizzicato.

    Play by plucking the strings.

    polyphony
    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
    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
    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
    I: quartina, F: quartolet, D: Quartole, NL: kwartool, DK: kvartol, S: kvartol, N: .

    -> note value

    quarter note
    I: semiminima, nera, F: noire, UK: crotchet, D: Viertel, Viertelnote, NL: kwartnoot, DK: fjerdedelsnode, S: fjärdedelsnot, N:

    -> note value

    quarter rest
    I: pausa di semiminima, F: soupir, UK: crotchet rest, D: Viertelpause, NL: kwart rust, DK: fjerdedelspause, S: fjärdedelspaus, N: .

    -> note value

    quintuplet
    I: quintina, F: quintuplet, D: Quintole, NL: kwintool, DK: kvintol, S: kvintol, N: .

    -> note value

    rallentando
    I: rallentando, F: rallentando, D: rallentando, langsamer, NL: rallentando, DK: rallentando, S: rallentando, N: rallentando.

    Abbreviation "rall.". -> ritardando

    relative key
    I: tonalità relativa, F: tonalité relative, D: Paralleltonart, DK: paralleltoneart, S: parallelltonart, N: .

    -> Major and -> minor -> key with the same -> signature.


    repeat
    I: ritornello, F: barre de reprise, D: Wiederholung, NL: herhaling, DK: gentagelse, S: repris, N: .


    rest
    I: pausa, F: silence, D: Pause, NL: rust, DK: pause, S: paus, N: .

    -> note value

    rhythm
    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
    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
    I: ritenuto, F: ritenuto, D: Ritenuto, NL: ritenuto, DK: ritenuto, S: ritenuto, N: .

    Immediate reduction of speed.

    scale
    I: scala, F: gamme, D: Tonleiter, NL: toonladder, DK: Skala, S: skala, N: .

    -> diatonic scale

    scale degree
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: diesis, F: dièse, D: Kreuz, NL: kruis, DK: kryds, S: korsförtecken, N: .

    -> accidental

    short appoggiatura
    -> appoggiatura
    sixteenth note
    I: semicroma, F: double croche, UK: semiquaver, D: Sechzehntel, Sechzehntelnote, NL: zestiende noot, DK: sekstendedelsnode, S: sextondelsnot, N: .

    -> note value

    sixteenth rest
    I: pausa di semicroma, F: quart de soupir, UK: semiquaver rest, D: Sechzehntelpause, NL: zestiende rust, DK: sekstendedelspause, S: sextondelspaus, N: .

    -> note value

    sixth
    I: sesta, F: sixte, D: Sexte, NL: sext, DK: sekst, S: sext, N: .

    -> interval

    sixty-fourth note
    I: semibiscroma, F: quadruple croche, UK: hemidemisemiquaver, D: Vierundsechzigstel, Vierundsechzigstelnote, NL: vierenzestigste noot, DK: fireogtredsindstyvendedelsnode, S: sextiofjärdedelsnot, N: .

    -> note value

    sixty-fourth rest
    I: pausa di semibiscroma, F: seizième de soupir, UK: hemidemisemiquaver rest, D: Vierundsechzigstelpause, NL: vierenzestigste rust, DK: fireogtredsindstyvendedelspause, S: sextiofjärdedelspaus, N: .

    -> note value

    slur
    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
    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
    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
    I: soprano, F: soprano, D: Sopran, NL: sopraan, DK: sopran, S: sopran, N: .

    The highest female voice.

    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: sottodominante, F: sous-dominante, D: Subdominante, NL: subdominant, DK: subdominant, S: subdominant, N: .

    The fourth -> scale degree. -> functional harmony

    submediant
    I: sopratonica, F: sous-médiante, D: Submediant, NL: submediant, DK: Submediant, S: submediant, N: .

    The sixth -> scale degree.

    subtonic
    I: sottotonica, F: sous-tonique, D: Subtonika, NL: subtonica, DK: Subtonika, S: subtonika, N: .

    The seventh -> scale degree

    superdominant
    I: sopradominante, F: sus-dominante, D: Superdominant, NL: superdominant, DK: superdominant, S: superdominant, N: .

    The sixth -> scale degree

    supertonic
    I: sopratonica, F: sus-tonique, D: Supertonika, NL: supertonica, DK: supertonika, S: supertonika, N: .

    The second -> scale degree.

    symphony
    I: sinfonia, F: symphonie, D: Sinfonie, NL: symfonie, DK: symfoni, S: symfoni, N: .

    A symphony may be defined as a -> sonata for orchestra.

    syncopation
    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
    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
    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
    I: tenore, F: ténor, D: Tenor, NL: tenor, DK: tenor, S: tenor, N: .

    The highest voice of men (apart from -> counter tenor)

    tenth
    I: decima, F: dixième, D: Dezime, NL: deciem, DK: decim, S: decima, N: .

    -> note value

    third
    I: terza, F: tierce, D: Terz, NL: terts, DK: terts, S: ters, N: .

    -> interval

    thirty-second note
    I: biscroma, F: triple croche, UK: demisemiquaver, D: Zweiunddreißigstel, Zweiunddreißigstelnote, NL: twee-endertigste noot, DK: toogtredivtedelsnode, S: trettiotvåondelsnot, N: .

    -> note value

    thirty-second rest
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    I: tonica, F: tonique, D: Tonika, NL: tonica, DK: tonika, S: tonika, N: .

    The first -> scale degree-> functional harmony

    transposition
    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
    I: chiave di violino, F: clé de sol, D: Violinschlüssel, Sopranschlüssel, NL: viool sleutel, DK: diskantnøgle, S: diskantklav, N: .

    -> G clef

    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
    I: triade, F: triade, accord parfait, accord de trois sons, D: Dreiklang, NL: drieklank, DK: treklang, S: treklang, N:

    -> chord

    trill; shake
    I: trillo, F: trille, tremblement, battement (cadence), D: Triller, NL: triller, DK: trille, S: drill, N: .

    -> ornament

    triple meter
    I: tempo ternario, F: mesure ternaire, D: dreiteiliger Takt, NL: driedelige maatsoort, DK: tredelt takt, S: tretakt, N: .

    -> meter

    triplet
    I: terzina, F: triolet, D: Triole, NL: triool, DK: triol, S: triol, N: .

    -> note value

    tritone
    I: tritono, F: triton, D: Tritonus, NL: tritoon, DK: tritonus, S: tritonus, N: .

    -> interval

    tuning fork
    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
    I: gruppetto, F: grupetto, D: Doppelschlag, NL: dubbelslag, DK: dobbeltslag, S: dubbelslag, N: .
    unison
    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
    I: anacrusi, F: anacrouse, D: Auftakt, NL: opmaat, DK: optakt, S: upptakt, N:

    Initial note(s) of a melody occurring before the first bar line. -> measure -> meter


    voice
    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
    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
    I: semibreve, F: ronde, UK: semibreve, D: Ganze, Ganze Note, NL: hele noot, DK: helnode, S: helnot, N: .

    -> note value

    whole rest
    I: pausa di semibreve, F: pause, UK: semibreve rest, D: Ganze Pause, NL: hele rust, DK: helnodespause, S: helpaus, N: .

    -> note value

    whole tone
    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
    I: legni, F: le 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 D d d d d

    e-flat [todo]

    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.

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