Music Glossary

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1 Musical terms A-Z

1.1 A

1.2 accent

ES: acento, I: accento, F: accent, D: Akzent, NL: accent, DK: accent, S: accent, FI: aksentti, korostus.

1.3 accessory

1.4 accidental

ES: alteración accidental, I: accidento, F: altération accidentelle, D: Vorzeichen, Versetzungszeichen, Akzidenz, NL: toevallig (verplaatsings)teken, DK: løst fortegn, S: tillfälligt förtecken, FI: tilapäinen etumerkki.

An accidental has the effect of an →alteration of a note. 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.

1.5 accelerando

ES: accelerando, I: accelerando, F: accelerando, en accélérant, D: accelerando, schneller werden, NL: accelerando, DK: accelerando, S: accelerando, FI: accelerando, kiihdyttäen.

1.6 adagio

ES: adagio, I: adagio, F: adagio, lent, D: Adagio, Langsam, NL: adagio, DK: adagio, S: adagio, FI: adagio, hitaasti.

It. comfortable, easy. 1. Slow tempo, slower – especially in even meter – than →andante and faster than →largo. 2. A movement in slow tempo, especially the second (slow) movement of →sonatas, symphonies, etc.

1.7 allegro

ES: allegro, I: allegro, F: allegro, D: Allegro, Schnell, Fröhlich, Lustig, NL: allegro, DK: allegro, S: allegro, FI: allegro, nopeasti.

It. cheerful. Quick tempo. Also used as a title for pieces in a quick tempo, especially the first and last movements of a →sonata.

1.8 alteration

ES: alteración, I: alterazione F: altération D: NL: verhoging of verlaging, DK: S: FI:

An alteration is the modification, raising or lowering, of a note's pitch. It is established by an →accidental.

1.9 alto

ES: alto, I: contralto, F: alto, D: Alt, NL: alt, DK: alt, S: alt, FI: altto, matala naisääni.

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.

1.10 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, FI: alttoavain.

1.11 ambit

ES: ámbito, I: ambitus, F: ambitus, D: ambitus, NL: ambitus, DK: ambitus, S: ambitus, FI: ambitus, ääniala, soitinala.

The term ambit (from latin: ambitus, plural: ambitus) denotes a range of pitches for a given voice in a part of music. It may also denote the pitch range that a musical instrument is capable of playing.

1.12 anacrusis

An anacrusis (also known as pickup or upbeat) is an incomplete measure of music before a section of music.

1.13 ancient minor scale

ES: escala menor antigua, I: scala minore naturale, F: forme du mode mineur ancien, troisème mode, mode hellénique D: reines Moll, NL: authentieke mineurtoonladder, DK: ren mol, S: ren mollskala, FI: luonnollinen molliasteikko.

1.14 andante

ES: andante, I: andante, F: andante, D: Andante, Gehend, NL: andante, DK: andante, S: andante, FI: andante, käyden.

1.15 appoggiatura

ES: apoyatura, I: appoggiatura, F: appoggiature, (port de voix), D: Vorschlag, NL: voorslag, DK: forslag, S: förslag, FI: appoggiatura, etuhele.

Ornamental note, usually a second, that is melodically connected with the main note following it. In music before the 19th 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 proportional to that of the main note.

1.16 arpeggio

ES: arpegio, I: arpeggio, F: arpège, D: Arpeggio, Akkordbrechungen, gebrochener Akkord, NL: gebroken akoord, DK: arpeggio, akkordbrydning, S: arpeggio, FI: arpeggio, murtosointu.

1.17 articulation

Articulation refers to notation which indicates how a note or notes should be played. Slurs, accents, staccato, and legato are all examples of articulartion.

1.18 ascending interval

ES: intervalo ascendente, I: intervallo ascendente, F: intervalle ascendant, D: steigendes Intervall, NL: stijgend interval, DK: stigende interval, S: stigande intervall, FI: nouseva intervalli.

1.19 augmented interval

ES: intervalo aumentado, I: intervallo aumentato, F: intervalle augmenté, D: übermäßiges Intervall, NL: overmatig interval, DK: forstørret interval, S: överstigande intervall, FI: ylinouseva intervalli.

1.20 autograph

ES: manuscrito, I: autografo, F: manuscrit, autographe D: Autograph, Handschrift, NL: manuscript, DK: håndskrift, autograf, S: handskrift, FI: käsinkirjoitettu nuotti.

1. A manuscript in the composer's own hand. 2. Music prepared for photoreproduction by freehand drawing, with the aid of a straightedge ruler and T-square only, which attempts to emulate engraving. This required more skill than did engraving.

1.21 B

1.22 backfall

1.23 bar

1.24 bar line

ES: barra, línea divisoria, I: stanghetta, barra (di divisione), F: barre (de mesure), D: Taktstrich, NL: maatstreep, DK: taktstreg, S: taktstreck, FI: tahtiviiva.

1.25 baritone

ES: barítono, I: baritono, F: bariton, D: Bariton, NL: bariton, DK: baryton, S: baryton, FI: baritoni, keskikorkuinen miesääni.

1.26 baritone clef

ES: clave de fa en tercera, I: chiave di baritono, F: clef d' Ut cinquième ligne, clef de Fa troisième, D: Baritonschlüssel, NL: baritonsleutel, DK: barytonnøgle, S: barytonklav, FI: baritoniavain.

C or F clef setting middle C on the upper staff line. →C clef, →F clef.

1.27 bass clef

ES: clave de fa en cuarta, I: chiave di basso, F: clé de fa quatrième ligne, D: Bassschlüssel, NL: bassleutel, DK: basnøgle, S: basklav, FI: bassoavain.

1.28 bass

ES: bajo, I: basso, F: basse, D: Bass, NL: bas, DK: bas, S: bas, FI: basso, matala miesääni.

1. The lowest male voice. 2. Sometimes, especially in jazz music, used as an abbreviation for double bass. →strings.

1.29 beam

ES: barra I: coda, F: barre, D: Balken, NL: waardestreep, DK: bjælke, S: balk, FI: palkki.

Line connecting a series of notes (shorter than a quarter note). The number of beams determines the note value of the connected notes.

1.30 beat

ES: tiempo, parte (de compás) I: tempi, F: temps, D: Takt, Taktschlag, Zeit (im Takt), NL: tel, DK: (takt)slag, S: taktslag, FI: aika-arvo.

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.

1.31 bind

1.32 brace

ES: llave, corchete, I: graffa, F: accolade, D: Klammer, Akkolade, NL: accolade, teksthaak, DK: klamme, S: klammer, FI: yhdistävä sulkumerkki.

Symbol at the start of a system connecting staves. Curly braces are used for connecting piano staves, angular brackets for connecting parts in an orchestral or choral score.

1.33 brass

ES: metales, I: ottoni, D: Blechbläser, NL: koper (blazers), F: cuivres, DK: messingblæsere, S: brassinstrument, mässingsinstrument, FI: vaskisoitin.

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.

1.34 breath mark

ES: respiración, I: respiro, F: respiration, D: Atemzeichen, Trennungszeichen, NL: repercussieteken, DK: vejrtrækningstegn, S: andningstecken, FI: hengitysmerkki.

1.35 breve

ES: cuadrada, breve, I: breve, F: brève, D: Brevis, NL: brevis, DK: brevis, S: brevis, FI: brevis.

→note value, twice as long as a whole note. Mainly used in pre-1650 music.

1.36 C

1.37 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, FI: C-avain.

1.38 cadence

ES: cadencia, I: cadenza, F: cadence, D: Kadenz, NL: cadens, DK: kadence, S: kadens, FI: kadenssi, lopuke.

1.39 cadenza

ES: cadenza, I: cadenza, F: cadence, D: Kadenz, NL: cadens, DK: kadence, S: kadens, FI: kadenssi, lopuke.

An extended, improvisatory style section inserted near the end of movement. The purpose of a cadenza is to give singers or players a chance to exhibit their technical skill and – not last – their ability to improvise. Since the middle of the 19th century, however, most cadences have been written down by the composer.

1.40 canon

ES: canon, I: canone, F: canon, D: Kanon, NL: canon, DK: kanon, S: kanon, FI: kaanon, tarkka jäljittely.

1.41 cent

ES: cent, I: cent, F: cent, D: Cent, NL: cent, DK: cent, S: cent, FI: sentti, puolisävelaskeleen sadasosa tasavireisessä viritysjärjestelmässä.

Logarithmic unit of measurement. 1 cent is 1/1200 of an octave (1/100 of an equally tempered →semitone). →equal temperament.

1.42 central C

1.43 chord

ES: acorde, I: accordo, F: accord, D: Akkord, NL: akkoord, DK: akkord, S: ackord, FI: sointu.

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-tone 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

1.44 chromatic scale

ES: escala cromática, I: scala cromatica, F: gamme chromatique, D: chromatische Tonleiter, NL: chromatische toonladder, DK: kromatisk skala, S: kromatisk skala, FI: kromaattinen asteikko.

1.45 chromaticism

ES: cromatismo, I: cromatismo, F: chromatisme, D: Chromatik, NL: chromatiek, DK: kromatik, S: kromatik, FI: kromatiikka.

1.46 church mode

ES: modo eclesiástico, I: modo ecclesiastico, F: mode ecclésiastique, D: Kirchentonart, NL: kerktoonladder, DK: kirketoneart, S: kyrkotonart, FI: moodi, kirkkosävellaji.

1.47 clef

ES: clave, I: chiave, F: clé, clef, D: Schlüssel, Notenschlüssel, NL: sleutel, DK: nøgle, S: klav, FI: avain, nuottiavain.

1.48 cluster

A cluster is a range of simultaneously sounding pitches that may change over time. The set of available pitches to apply usually depends on the acoustic source. Thus, in piano music, a cluster typically consists of a continuous range of the semitones as provided by the piano's fixed set of a chromatic scale. In choral music, each singer of the choir typically may sing an arbitrary pitch within the cluster's range that is not bound to any diatonic, chromatic or other scale. In electronic music, a cluster (theoretically) may even cover a continuous range of pitches, thus resulting in colored noise, such as pink noise.

Clusters can be denoted in the context of ordinary staff notation by engraving simple geometrical shapes that replace ordinary notation of notes. Ordinary notes as musical events specify starting time and duration of pitches; however, the duration of a note is expressed by the shape of the note head rather than by the horizontal graphical extent of the note symbol. In contrast, the shape of a cluster geometrically describes the development of a range of pitches (vertical extent) over time (horizontal extent). Still, the geometrical shape of a cluster covers the area in which any single pitch contained in the cluster would be notated as an ordinary note.

1.49 comma

ES: coma, comma, I: comma, F: comma, D: Komma, NL: komma, DK: komma, S: komma, FI: komma, korvinkuultava ero äänenkorkeudessa.

Difference in pitch between a note derived from pure tuning and the same note derived from some other tuning method. →temperament.

1.50 common meter

1.51 compound interval

ES: intervalo compuesto, I: intervallo composto, F: intervalle composé, D: weites Intervall, NL: samengesteld interval, DK: sammensat interval, S: sammansatt intervall, FI: oktaavia laajempi intervalli.

1.52 complement

ES: intervalo invertido, I: rivolto, F: intervalle complémentaire, D: Komplementärintervall, NL: complementair interval, DK: komplementærinterval, S: komplementärintervall (?), FI: täydentävä intervalli.

1.53 conjunct movement

ES: movimiento conjunto, I: moto congiunto, F: mouvement conjoint, D: schrittweise, stufenweise Bewegung, NL: stapsgewijze, trapsgewijze beweging, DK: trinvis bevægelse, S: stegvis rörelse, FI: asteittainen liike.

Progressing melodically by intervals of a second. The opposite of a →disjunct movement.

1.54 consonance

ES: consonancia, I: consonanza, F: consonance, D: Konsonanz, NL: consonant, DK: konsonans, S: konsonans, FI: konsonanssi, sopusointi.

1.55 contralto

ES: contralto, I: contralto, F: contralto, D: Alt, NL: contralto, DK: alt, S: alt, FI: kontra-altto.

1.56 counterpoint

ES: contrapunto, I: contrappunto, F: contrepoint, D: Kontrapunkt, NL: contrapunt, DK: kontrapunkt, S: kontrapunkt, FI: kontrapunkti, ääni ääntä vastaan.

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 contrapunctal technique used in the fugue which, since the music of the baroque era, has been one of the most popular polyphonic composition methods.

1.57 counter tenor

ES: contratenor, I: controtenore, F: contre-tenor, D: Countertenor, Kontratenor, NL: contratenor, DK: kontratenor, S: kontratenor, counter tenor, FI: kontratenori.

1.58 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 note heads 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.

1.59 crescendo

ES: crescendo, I: crescendo, F: crescendo, D: Crescendo, lauter werden, NL: crescendo, DK: crescendo, S: crescendo, FI: cresendo, voimistuen.

Increasing volume. Indicated by a rightwards opening horizontal wedge or the abbreviation “cresc.”.

1.60 cue-notes

ES: notas guía, I: notine, F: petites notes précédent l'entrée d'in instrument, réplique, D: Stichnoten, NL: stichnoten, DK: stiknoder, S: inprickningar, FI: vihjenuotit.

In a separate part notes belonging to another part with the purpose of hinting when to start playing. Usually printed in a smaller type.

1.61 custos

A custos is a staff symbol that appears at the end of a staff line with monophonic musical contents (i.e., with a single voice). It anticipates the pitch of the first note of the following line and thus helps the player or singer to manage line breaks during performance, thus enhancing readability of a score.

Custodes were frequently used in music notation until the 16th century. There were different appearences for different notation styles. Nowadays, they have survived only in special forms of musical notation such as via the editio vaticana dating back to the beginning of the 20th century

1.62 D

1.63 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, FI: da capo, alusta.

The term indicates repetition of the piece from the beginning to the end or to a certain place marked fine. Mostly abbreviated as “D.C.”.

1.64 dal segno

ES: dal segno, I: dal segno, F: dal segno, depuis le signe, D: dal segno, ab dem Zeichen, NL: dal segno, DK: dal segno, S: dal segno, FI: dal segno, lähtien merkistä.

Abbreviated “d.s.”. Repetition, not from the beginning, but from another place frequently near the beginning marked by a sign:

1.65 decrescendo

ES: decrescendo, I: decrescendo, D: Decrescendo, leiser werden, NL: decrescendo, DK: decrescendo, S: decrescendo, FI: decresendo, hiljentyen.

Decreasing tone volume. Indicated by a leftwards opening horizontal wedge or the abbreviation “decresc.”.

1.66 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, FI: laskeva intervalli.

1.67 diatonic scale

ES: escala diatónica, I: scala diatonica, F: gamme diatonique, D: diatonische Tonleiter, NL: diatonische toonladder, DK: diatonisk skala, S: diatonisk skala, FI: diatoninen asteikko.

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 in 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.

1.68 diminished interval

ES: intervalo disminuido, I: intervallo diminuito, F: intervalle diminué, D: vermindertes Intervall, NL: verminderd interval, DK: formindsket interval, S: förminskat intervall, FI: vähennetty intervalli.

1.69 diminuendo

ES: diminuendo, I: diminuendo, F: diminuendo, D: Diminuendo, NL: diminuendo, DK: diminuendo, S: diminuendo, FI: diminuendo, hiljentyen.

1.70 disjunct movement

ES: movimiento disjunto, I: moto disgiunto, F: mouvement disjoint, D: sprunghafte Bewegung, NL: sprongsgewijze beweging, DK: springende bevægelse, S: hoppande rörelse, FI: melodian hyppivä liike.

Progressing melodically by intervals larger than a major second. Opposite of →conjunct movement.

1.71 dissonance

1.72 dissonant interval

ES: intervalo disonante, disonancia, I: intervallo dissonante, dissonanza, F: dissonance, D: Dissonanz, NL: dissonant interval; dissonant, DK: dissonerende interval, dissonans, S: dissonans, FI: dissonanssi, dissonoiva intervalli, riitasointi.

1.73 dominant ninth chord

ES: acorde de novena de dominante, I: accordo di nona di dominante, F: accord de neuvième dominante, D: Dominantnonenakkord, NL: dominant noon akkoord, DK: dominantnoneakkord, S: dominantnonackord, FI: dominanttinoonisointu.

1.74 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, FI: dominanttiseptimisointu.

1.75 dominant

ES: dominante, I: dominante, F: dominante, D: Dominante, NL: dominant, DK: dominant, S: dominant, FI: dominantti, huippusointu.

1.76 dorian mode

ES: modo dórico, I: modo dorico, F: mode dorien, D: dorisch, dorischer Kirchenton, NL: dorische toonladder, DK: dorisk skala, S: dorisk tonart, FI: doorinen moodi.

1.77 dot (augmentation dot)

ES: puntillo, I: punto (di valore), F: point, D: Punkt (Verlängerungspunkt), NL: punt, DK: punkt, S: punkt, FI: piste.

1.78 dotted note

ES: nota con puntillo, I: nota puntata, F: note pointée, D: punktierte Note, NL: gepuncteerde noot, DK: punkteret node, S: punkterad not, FI: pisteellinen nuotti.

1.79 double appoggiatura

ES: apoyatura doble, I: appoggiatura doppia, F: appoggiature double, D: doppelter Vorschlag, NL: dubbele voorslag, DK: dobbelt forslag, S: dubbelslag, FI: kaksoisappogiatura, kaksoisetuhele.

1.80 double bar line

ES: doble barra, I: doppia barra, F: double barre, D: Doppelstrich, NL: dubbele maatstreep, DK: dobbeltstreg, S: dubbelstreck, FI: kaksoistahtiviiva.

1.81 double dotted note

ES: nota con doble puntillo, I: nota doppiamente puntata, F: note doublement pointée, D: doppelt punktierte Note, NL: dubbelgepuncteerde noot, DK: dobbeltpunkteret node, S: dubbelpunkterad not, FI: kaksoispisteellinen nuotti.

1.82 double flat

ES: doble bemol, I: doppio bemolle, F: double bémol, D: Doppel-B, NL: dubbelmol, DK: dobbelt-b, S: dubbelbe, FI: kaksoisalennusmerkki.

1.83 double sharp

ES: doble sostenido, I: doppio diesis, F: double dièse, D: Doppelkreuz, NL: dubbelkruis, DK: dobbeltkryds, S: dubbelkors, FI: kaksoisylennysmerkki.

1.84 double trill

ES: trino doble, I: doppio trillo, F: trille double, D: Doppeltriller, NL: dubbele triller, DK: dobbelttrille, S: dubbeldrill, FI: kaksoistrilli.

1.85 duple meter

ES: tiempo binario, I: tempo binario, F: temps binaire, D: in zwei, NL: tweedelige maatsoort, DK: todelt takt, S: tvåtakt, FI: kaksoistempo.

1.86 duplet

ES: dosillo, I: duina, F: duolet, D: Duole, NL: duool, DK: duol, S: duol, FI: duoli.

1.87 duration

ES: duración, I: durata, F: durée, D: Dauer, Länge, NL: duur, lengte, DK: varighed, S: tonlängd, FI: kesto, aika-arvo.

1.88 dydimic comma

1.89 E

1.90 ecclesiastical mode

1.91 eighth note

ES: corchea, I: croma, F: croche, UK: quaver, D: Achtel, Achtelnote, NL: achtste noot, DK: ottendedelsnode, S: åttondelsnot, FI: kahdeksasosanuotti.

1.92 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, FI: kahdeksasosatauko.

1.93 embellishment

1.94 engraving

ES: grabar, I: incisione, F: gravure, D: Notenstechen, Notendruck NL: steken, DK: nodestik, S: nottryck, FI: painatus.

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.

1.95 enharmonic

ES: enarmónico, I: enarmonico, F: enharmonique, D: enharmonisch, NL: enharmonisch, DK: enharmonisk, S: enharmonisk, FI: enharmoninen.

Two notes, intervals, or scales are enharmonic if they have different names but equal pitch.

1.96 equal temperament

ES: temperamento igual, I: temperamento equabile, F: tempérament égal, D: gleichschwebende Stimmung, NL: gelijkzwevende temperatuur, DK: ligesvævende temperatur, S: liksvävande temperatur, FI: tasavireinen.

1.97 expression mark

ES: expresión, I: segno d'espressione, F: signe d'expression, indication de nuance, D: Vortragszeichen, NL: voordrachtsteken, DK: foredragsbetegnelse, S: föredragsbeteckning, FI: nyanssiosoitus, esitysmerkki.

1.98 F

1.99 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, FI: F-avain.

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).

1.100 fermata

ES: calderón, I: corona, F: point d'orgue, point d'arrêt, D: Fermate, NL: fermate, DK: fermat, S: fermat, FI: fermaatti, pidäke.

1.101 fifth

ES: quinta, I: quinta, F: quinte, D: Quinte, NL: kwint, DK: kvint, S: kvint, FI: kvintti.

1.102 figured bass

1.103 fingering

ES: digitación, I: diteggiatura, F: doigté, D: Fingersatz, NL: vingerzetting, DK: fingersætning, S: fingersättning, FI: sormitus.

1.104 flag

ES: corchete, I: coda (uncinata), bandiera, F: crochet, D: Fahne, Fähnchen, NL: vlaggetje, DK: fane, S: flagga, FI: lippu, viiri.

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.

1.105 flat

ES: bemol, I: bemolle, F: bémol, D: B, b, NL: mol, DK: b, S: beförtecken, FI: alennusmerkki.

1.106 forefall

1.107 forte

ES: forte, I: forte, F: forte, D: forte, laut, NL: forte, DK: forte, S: forte, FI: forte, voimakkaasti.

Loud, abbreviated f, fortissimo (ff) very loud, mezzoforte (mf) medium loud.

1.108 fourth

ES: cuarta, I: quarta, F: quarte, D: Quarte, NL: kwart, DK: kvart, S: kvart, FI: kvartti.

1.109 fugue

1.110 functional harmony

ES: armonía funcional, I: armonia funzionale, F: étude des functions, D: Funktionslehre, NL: functionele harmonie, DK: funktionsanalyse, funktionsharmonik, S: funktionslära, FI: harmoniajärjestelmä.

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). Others are considered to be variants of the base chords.

1.111 G

1.112 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, FI: G-avain.

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).

1.113 glissando

ES: glissando, I: glissando, F: glissando, D: Glissando, NL: glissando, DK: glissando, S: glissando, FI: glissando, liukuen.

1.114 grace notes

ES: notas de adorno, I: abbellimenti, F: fioriture, D: Verzierungen, Vorschläge, Vorschlagsnoten, NL: versieringen, DK: forsiringer, S: ornament, FI: korunuotit.

Notes printed in small types to indicate that their time values are not counted in the rhythm of the bar. →appoggiatura.

1.115 grand staff

ES: sistema de piano, I: accolatura, F: accolade, D: Akkolade, NL: piano systeem, DK: klaversystem, S: ackolad, böjd klammer, FI: kaksoisnuottiviivasto.

1.116 grave

ES: grave, I: grave, F: grave, D: grave, langsam, NL: grave, ernstig, DK: grave, S: grave, FI: grave, raskaasti.

1.117 gruppetto

1.118 half note

ES: blanca, I: minima, F: blanche, UK: minim, D: Halbe, halbe Note, NL: halve noot, DK: halvnode, S: halvnot, FI: puolinuotti.

1.119 half rest

ES: silencio de blanca, I: pausa di minima, F: demi-pause, UK: minim rest, D: halbe Pause, NL: halve, rust, DK: halvnodespause, S: halvpaus, FI: puolitauko.

1.120 harmonic cadence

ES: cadencia (armónica), I: cadenza (armonica), F: cadence harmonique, D: Schlusskadenz, NL: harmonische cadens, DK: harmonisk kadence, S: (harmonisk) kadens, FI: harmoninen kadenssi.

A sequence of chords that terminates a musical phrase or section. →functional harmony.

1.121 harmony

ES: armonía, I: armonia, F: harmonie, D: Harmonie, Zusammenklang, NL: harmonie, DK: samklang, S: samklang, FI: harmonia, yhteissointi.

Tones sounding simultaneously. Two note harmonies fall into the categories consonances and dissonances.

1.122 homophony

ES: homofonía, I: omofonia, F: homophonie, D: Homophonie, NL: homofonie, DK: homofoni, S: homofoni, FI: homofonia, yksiäänisyys.

Music in which one voice leads melodically followed by the other voices more or less in the same rhythm. In contrast to →polyphony.

1.123 interval

ES: intervalo, I: intervallo, F: intervalle, D: Intervall, NL: interval, DK: interval, S: intervall, FI: intervalli, kahden sävelen korkeusero.

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 are called tritonus because they consist of three →whole tones. The addition of such two intervals forms an octave.

1.124 inverted interval

ES: intervalo invertido, I: intervallo rivolto, F: intervalle reversé, D: umgekehrtes Intervall, NL: interval inversie, DK: omvendingsinterval, S: intervallets omvändning, FI: käänteisintervalli.

1.125 just intonation

ES: entonación justa, I: intonazione giusta, F: intonation juste, D: reine Stimmung, NL: reine stemming, DK: ren stemning, S: ren stämning, FI: puhdas viritys.

Tuning system in which the notes are obtained by adding and subtracting natural fifths and thirds. →temperament.

1.126 key

ES: tonalidad, I: tonalità, F: tonalité, D: Tonart, NL: toonsoort, DK: toneart, S: tonart, FI: tonaliteetti.

1.127 key signature

ES: armadura (de la clave), I: armatura di chiave, F: armure, armature [de la clé], D: Vorzeichen, Tonart, NL: toonsoort (voortekens), DK: faste fortegn, S: tonartssignatur, FI: sävellajiosoitus.

The sharps or flats appearing at the beginning of each staff indicating the key of the music. →accidental.

1.128 largo

ES: largo, I: largo, F: largo, D: Largo, Langsam, Breit, NL: largo, DK: largo, S: largo, FI: largo, hitaasti, leveästi.

Very slow in tempo, usually combined with great expressiveness. Larghetto is less slow than largo.

1.129 leading note

ES: sensible, I: sensibile, F: note sensible, D: Leitton, NL: leidtoon, DK: ledetone, S: ledton, FI: johtosävel.

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.

1.130 ledger line

ES: línea adicional, I: tagli addizionali, F: ligne supplémentaire, D: Hilfslinie, NL: hulplijntje, DK: hjælpelinie, S: hjälplinje, FI: apuviiva.

1.131 legato

ES: legato, I: legato, F: legato, lié, D: legato, NL: legato, DK: legato, S: legato, FI: legato, sitoen.

To be performed (a) without any perceptible interruption between the notes, unlike (b) leggiero or non-legato, (c) portato, and (d) →staccato.

1.132 legato curve

1.133 leger line

1.134 lilypond

ES: estanque de nenúfares, I: stagno del giglio, F: étang de lis, UK: lily pond, D: Seerosenteich, NL: lelievijver, DK: liliedam, S: liljedamm, FI: liljalampi.

1.135 ligature

A ligature is a coherent graphical symbol that represents at least two distinct notes. Ligatures originally appeared in the manuscripts of Gregorian chant notation roughly since the 9th century to denote ascending or descending sequences of notes. In early notation, ligatures were used for monophonic tunes (Gregorian chant) and very soon denoted also the way of performance in the sense of articulation. With the invention of the metric system of the white mensural notation, the need for ligatures to denote such patterns disappeared.

1.136 line

ES: línea, I: linea, F: ligne, D: Linie, Notenlinie, NL: lijn, DK: nodelinie, S: notlinje, FI: viiva, nuottiviiva.

1.137 long appoggiatura

ES: apoyatura larga, I: appoggiatura lunga, F: appoggiature longue, D: langer Vorschlag, NL: Lange voorslag, DK: langt forslag, S: långt förslag, FI: pitkä appoggiatura, pitkä etuhele.

1.138 longa

ES: longa, I: longa, F: longa, D: Longa, NL: longa, DK: longa, S: longa, FI: longa.

1.139 lyrics

ES: letra (de la canción), I: ., F: paroles, D: Liedtext, NL: liedtekst, DK: ., S: ., FI, sanoitus.

1.140 major interval

ES: intervalo mayor, I: intervallo maggiore, F: intervalle majeur, D: großes Intervall, NL: groot interval, DK: stort interval, S: stort intervall, FI: suuri intervalli.

1.141 major

ES: mayor, I: maggiore, F: [mode] majeur, D: Dur, NL: majeur, DK: dur, S: dur, FI: duuri.

1.142 meantone temperament

ES: afinación mesotónica, I: accordatura mesotonica, F: tempérament mésotonique, D: mitteltönige Stimmung, NL: middenstemming, middentoonstemming, DK: middeltonetemperatur, S: medeltonstemperatur, FI: keskisävelviritys.

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.

1.143 measure

ES: compás, I: misura, battuta, F: mesure, D: Takt, NL: maat, DK: takt, S: takt, FI: tahti.

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.

1.144 mediant

ES: mediante, I: mediante, modale, F: médiante, NL: mediant, D: Mediante, DK: mediant, S: mediant, FI: keskisävel.

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.

1.145 melisma

ES: melisma, F: mélisme, NL: melisma, FI: melisma, laulettavan tavun sävelkuvio.

A melisma (plural: melismata) is a group of notes or tones sung on one syllable in plainsong

1.146 melodic cadence

1.147 meter

ES: compás, I: tempo, metro, F: indication de mesure, mesure, D: Taktart, Metrum, NL: maatsoort, DK: taktart, S: taktart, FI: aika-arvo.

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.

1.148 metronome

ES: metrónomo, I: metronomo, F: métronome, D: Metronom, NL: metronoom, DK: metronom, S: metronom, FI: metronomi.

1.149 metronomic indication

ES: indicación metronómica, I: indicazione metronomica, F: indication métronomique, D: Metronomangabe, NL: metronoom aanduiding, DK: metronomtal, S: metronomangivelse, FI: metronomiosoitus.

Exact tempo indication (in beats per minute). Also denoted by M.M. (Mälzels Metronom).

1.150 mezzo-soprano

ES: mezzosoprano, I: mezzo-soprano, F: mezzo-soprano, D: Mezzosopran, NL: mezzosopraan, DK: mezzosopran, S: mezzosopran, FI: mezzosopraano.

1.151 middle C

ES: do central, I: do centrale, F: do central, D: eingestrichenes c, NL: centrale c, DK: enstreget c, S: ettstruket c, FI: keski-C.

1.152 minor

ES: menor, I: minore, F: mode mineur, D: Moll, NL: mineur, DK: mol, S: moll, FI: molli.

1.153 minor interval

ES: intervalo menor, I: intervallo minore, F: intervalle mineur, D: kleines Intervall, NL: klein interval, DK: lille interval, S: litet intervall, FI: pieni intervalli.

1.154 mode

ES: modo, I: modo, F: mode, D: Modus, NL: modus, DK: skala, S: modus, skala, FI: moodi, kirkkosävelasteikko.

1.155 modulation

ES: modulación, I: modulazione, F: modulation, D: Modulation, NL: modulatie, DK: modulation, S: modulering, FI: modulaatio, sävellajin vaihdos.

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.

1.156 mordent

I: mordente, F: mordant, D: Mordent, NL: mordent, DK: mordent, S: mordent, FI: mordent, korukuvio.

1.157 motif

1.158 motive

ES: motivo, I: inciso, F: incise, D: Motiv, NL: motief, DK: motiv, S: motiv, FI: teema, sävelaihe.

The briefest intelligible and self-contained fragment of a musical theme or subject.

1.159 movement

ES: movimiento, I: movimento, F: mouvement, D: Satz, NL: deel, DK: sats, S: sats, FI: osa.

Greater musical works like →symphony and →sonata most often consist of several – more or less – independant pieces called movements.

1.160 multibar rest

ES: compases de espera, I: pausa multipla, F: pause multiple, NL: meermaats rust, D: mehrtaktige Pause, DK: flertaktspause, S: flertaktspaus, FI: usean tahdin mittainen tauko.

1.161 mixolydian mode

1.162 natural sign

ES: becuadro, I: bequadro, F: bécarre, D: Auflösungszeichen, NL: herstellingsteken, DK: opløsningstegn, S: återställningstecken, FI: palautusmerkki.

1.163 neighbour tones

1.164 ninth

ES: novena, I: nona, F: neuvième, D: None, NL: noon, DK: none, S: nona, FI: nooni.

1.165 non-legato

1.166 note

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.

1.167 note head

ES: cabeza, I: testa, testina, capocchia, F: tête de la note, D: Notenkopf, NL: nootballetje, DK: nodehovede, S: nothuvud, FI: nuotin pää.

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.

1.168 note value

ES: valor (duración), I: valore, durata, F: durée, valeur (d'une note), D: Notenwert, NL: nootwaarde, DK nodeværdi, S: notvärde, FI: nuotin aika-arvo.

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.

1.169 octave sign

1.170 octave

ES: octava, I: ottava, F: octave, D: Oktave, NL: octaaf, DK: oktav, S: oktav, FI: oktaavi.

1.171 ornament

ES: adorno, I: abbellimento, fioriture, F: agrément, ornement, D: Verzierung, Ornament, NL: versiering, DK: forsiring, S: ornament, FI: koru, hele.

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).

1.172 ossia

ES: ossia, I: ossia, F: ossia, D: Ossia, NL: alternatief, DK: ossia, S: ossia, FI: ossia, vaihtoehtoinen esitystapa.

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.

1.173 part

ES: parte, I: voce, parte, F: partie, D: Stimme, NL: partij, DK: stemme, S: stämma, FI: stemma, instrumenttiosuus.

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 contrapunctal web.

1.174 pennant

1.175 percussion

ES: percusión, I: percussioni, F: percussion, D: Schlagzeug, Schlagwerk, NL: slagwerk, DK: slagtøj, S: slagverk, FI: lyömäsoittimet.

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.

1.176 perfect interval

ES: intervalo justo, I: intervallo giusto, F: intervalle juste, D: reines Intervall, NL: rein interval, DK: rent interval, S: rent intervall, FI: puhdas intervalli.

1.177 phrase

ES: frase, I: frase, F: phrase, D: Phrase, NL: frase, zin, DK: frase, S: fras, FI: fraasi, lause.

1.178 phrasing

ES: fraseo, I: fraseggio, F: phrasé, D: Phrasierung, NL: frasering, DK: frasering, S: frasering, FI: fraseeraus, jäsentäminen.

The clear rendering in musical performance of the →phrases of the melody. Phrasing may be indicated by a →slur.

1.179 piano

ES: piano, I: piano, F: piano, D: piano, leise, NL: piano, DK: piano, S: piano, FI, piano, hiljaa.

1.180 pitch

ES: altura, I: altezza, F: hauteur, D: Tonhöhe, NL: toonhoogte, DK: tonehøjde, S: tonhöjd, FI: sävelkorkeus.

1.181 pizzicato

ES: pizzicato, I: pizzicato, F: pizzicato, D: pizzicato, NL: pizzicato, getokkeld, DK: pizzicato, S: pizzicato, FI: pizzicato, näppäillen.

1.182 polyphony

ES: polifonía, I: polifonia, F: polyphonie, D: Polyphonie, Mehrstimmigkeit, NL: polyfonie, DK: polyfoni, S: polyfoni, FI: polyfonia, moniäänisyys.

Music written in a combination of several simultaneous voices (parts) of a more or less pronounced individuality. →counterpoint.

1.183 portato

1.184 presto

ES: presto, I: presto, F: presto, D: Presto, Sehr schnell, NL: presto, Sehr schnell, DK: presto, S: presto, FI: presto, hyvin nopeasti.

Very quick, i.e., quicker than →allegro; prestissimo denotes the highest possible degree of speed.

1.185 Pythagorean comma

ES: coma pitagórica, I: comma pitagorico, F: comma pythagoricien, D: Pythagoräisches Komma, NL: komma van Pythagoras, DK: pythagoræisk komma, S: pytagoreiskt komma, FI: pytagorinen komma.

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.

1.186 quadruplet

ES: cuatrillo, I: quartina, F: quartolet, D: Quartole, NL: kwartool, DK: kvartol, S: kvartol, FI: kvartoli.

1.187 quarter note

ES: negra, I: semiminima, nera, F: noire, UK: crotchet, D: Viertel, Viertelnote, NL: kwartnoot, DK: fjerdedelsnode, S: fjärdedelsnot, FI: neljännesosanuotti.

1.188 quarter rest

ES: silencio de negra, I: pausa di semiminima, F: soupir, UK: crotchet rest, D: Viertelpause, NL: kwart rust, DK: fjerdedelspause, S: fjärdedelspaus, FI: neljännesosatauko.

1.189 quintuplet

ES: cinquillo, I: quintina, F: quintolet, D: Quintole, NL: kwintool, DK: kvintol, S: kvintol, FI: kvintoli.

1.190 rallentando

ES: rallentando, I: rallentando, F: rallentando, D: rallentando, langsamer werden, NL: rallentando, DK: rallentando, S: rallentando, FI: rallerdando, hidastuen.

1.191 relative key

ES: relativo, I: tonalità relativa, F: tonalité relative, D: Paralleltonart, NL: paralleltoonsoort, DK: paralleltoneart, S: parallelltonart, FI: rinnakkaissävellaji.

1.192 repeat

ES: repetición, I: ritornello, F: barre de reprise, D: Wiederholung, NL: herhaling, DK: gentagelse, S: repris, FI: toisto.

1.193 rest

ES: silencio, I: pausa, F: silence, D: Pause, NL: rust, DK: pause, S: paus, FI: tauko.

1.194 rhythm

ES: ritmo, I: ritmo, F: rythme, D: Rhythmus, NL: ritme, DK: rytme, S: rytm, FI: rytmi.

(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 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).

1.195 ritardando

ES: ritardando, I: ritardando, F: ritardando, D: Ritardando, langsamer werden, NL: ritardando, DK: ritardando, S: ritardando, FI: ritardando, hidastuen,

1.196 ritenuto

ES: ritenuto, I: ritenuto, F: ritenuto, D: Ritenuto, NL: ritenuto, DK: ritenuto, S: ritenuto, FI: ritenuto, hidastaen.

1.197 scale

ES: escala, I: scala, F: gamme, D: Tonleiter, NL: toonladder, DK: Skala, S: skala, FI: asteikko, sävelasteikko.

1.198 scale degree

ES: grado (de la escala), I: grado della scala, F: degré [de la gamme], D: Tonleiterstufe, NL: trap [van de toonladder], DK: skalatrin, S: skalsteg (?), FI: sävelaste, asteikon sävel.

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).

1.199 score

ES: partitura, I: partitura, F: partition, D: Partitur (full score), Klavierauszug (vocal score) NL: partituur, DK: partitur, S: partitur, FI: partituuri.

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 →staff.

1.200 second

ES: segunda, I: secunda, F: seconde, D: Sekund(a), NL: secunde, DK: sekund, S: sekund, FI: sekunti.

1.201 semitone

ES: semitono, I: semitono, F: demi-ton, D: Halbton, NL: halve toon, DK: halvtone, S: halvton, FI: puolisävel.

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.

1.202 seventh

ES: séptima, I: settima, F: septième, D: Septime, NL: septiem, DK: septim, S: septim, FI: septimi.

1.203 sextolet

1.204 sextuplet

ES: seisillo, I: sestina, F: sextolet, D: Sextole, NL: sextool, DK: sekstol, S: sextol, FI: sekstoli.

1.205 shake

1.206 sharp

ES: sostenido, I: diesis, F: dièse, D: Kreuz, NL: kruis, DK: kryds, S: korsförtecken, FI: korotusmerkki.

1.207 short appoggiatura

1.208 sixteenth note

ES: semicorchea, I: semicroma, F: double croche, UK: semiquaver, D: Sechzehntel, Sechzehntelnote, NL: zestiende noot, DK: sekstendedelsnode, S: sextondelsnot, FI: kuudestoistaosanuotti.

1.209 sixteenth rest

ES: silencio de semicorchea, I: pausa di semicroma, F: quart de soupir, UK: semiquaver rest, D: Sechzehntelpause, NL: zestiende rust, DK: sekstendedelspause, S: sextondelspaus, FI: kuudesosatauko.

1.210 sixth

ES: sexta, I: sesta, F: sixte, D: Sexte, NL: sext, DK: sekst, S: sext, FI: seksti.

1.211 sixty-fourth note

ES: semifusa, I: semibiscroma, F: quadruple croche, UK: hemidemisemiquaver, D: Vierundsechzigstel, Vierundsechzigstelnote, NL: vierenzestigste noot, DK: fireogtredsindstyvendedelsnode, S: sextiofjärdedelsnot, FI: kuudeskymmenesneljäsosanuotti.

1.212 sixty-fourth rest

ES: silencio de semifusa, I: pausa di semibiscroma, F: seizième de soupir, UK: hemidemisemiquaver rest, D: Vierundsechzigstelpause, NL: vierenzestigste rust, DK: fireogtredsindstyvendedelspause, S: sextiofjärdedelspaus, FI: kuudeskymmenesneljäsosatauko.

1.213 slur

ES: ligadura (de expresión), I: legatura (di portamento or espressiva), F: liaison, coulé, D: Bogen, Legatobogen, Phrasierungsbogen, NL: fraseringsboog, legatoboog, streekboog, DK: legatobue, fraseringsbue, S: båge, FI: kaari.

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.

1.214 solmization

ES: solmisación, I: solmisazione, F: solmisation, D: Solmisation, NL: solmizatie, DK: solmisation, S: solmisation, FI: suhteelliset laulunimet.

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.

1.215 sonata

ES: sonata, I: sonata, F: sonate, D: Sonate, NL: sonate, DK: sonate, S: sonat, FI: sonaatti.

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.

1.216 sonata form

ES: forma sonata, I: forma sonata, F: [en] forme de sonate, D: Sonatenform, NL: hoofdvorm, sonatevorm, DK: sonateform, S: sonatform, FI: sonaattimuoto.

A form used frequently for single movements of the →sonata, →symphony, quartet, etc. A movement written in sonata form falls into three sections called exposition, development and recapitulation. In the exposition the composer introduces some musical ideas, consisting of a number of themes; in the development section the composer ‘develops’ this material, and in the recapitulation the composer repeats the exposition, with certain modifications. The exposition contains a number of themes that 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.

1.217 song texts

1.218 soprano

ES: soprano, I: soprano, F: soprano, D: Sopran, NL: sopraan, DK: sopran, S: sopran, FI: sopraano, korkea naisääni.

1.219 staccato

ES: picado, I: staccato, F: staccato, piqué, détaché, D: Staccato, NL: staccato, DK: staccato, S: staccato, FI: staccato, lyhyesti, terävästi.

Playing the note(s) short. Staccato is indicated by a dot above or below the note head.

1.220 staff

ES: pentagrama, I: pentagramma, rigo (musicale), F: portée, D: Notenzeile, NL: (noten)balk, partij, DK: nodesystem, S: notsystem, FI: nuottiviivasto.

A staff (pl. staves) is a series of (normally five) horizontal lines upon and between which the musical notes are written, thus indicating (in connection with a →clef) their pitch. Staves for →percussion instruments may have fewer lines.

1.221 staves

1.222 stem

ES: plica, I: gamba, F: queue, D: Hals, Notenhals, Stiel, NL: stok, DK: hals, S: skaft, FI: nuottipalkki.

Vertical line above or below a →note head shorter than a whole note. →beam.

1.223 strings

ES: arcos, cuerdas, I: archi, F: cordes, D: Streicher, NL: strijkers, DK: strygere, S: stråkar, FI: jouset.

A family of stringed musical instruments played with a bow. Strings commonly used in a symphony orchestra are violin, viola, violoncello, and double bass.

1.224 strong beat

ES: tiempo fuerte, I: tempo forte, F: temps fort, D: betonter Taktteil oder Taktschlag, NL: thesis, D: betonet taktslag, S: betonat taktslag, FI: tahdin vahva isku.

1.225 subdominant

ES: subdominante, I: sottodominante, F: sous-dominante, D: Subdominante, NL: subdominant, DK: subdominant, S: subdominant, FI: subdominantti, alidominantti.

1.226 submediant

ES: submediante, I: sopratonica, F: sous-médiante, D: Submediante, NL: submediant, DK: Submediant, S: submediant, FI: alikeskisävel.

1.227 subtonic

ES: subtónica, I: sottotonica, F: sous-tonique, D: Subtonika, NL: subtonica, DK: Subtonika, S: subtonika, FI: subtoonika, alitoonika.

1.228 superdominant

ES: superdominante, I: sopradominante, F: sus-dominante, D: Superdominante, NL: superdominant, DK: superdominant, S: superdominant, FI: ylidominantti.

1.229 supertonic

ES: supertónica, I: sopratonica, F: sus-tonique, D: Supertonika, NL: supertonica, DK: supertonika, S: supertonika, FI: ylitoonika.

1.230 symphony

ES: sinfonía, I: sinfonia, F: symphonie, D: Sinfonie, Symphonie, NL: symfonie, DK: symfoni, S: symfoni, FI: sinfonia.

1.231 syncopation

ES: síncopa, I: sincope, F: syncope, D: Synkope, NL: syncope, DK: synkope, S: synkop, FI: synkooppi.

Any deliberate upsetting of the normal pulse of →meter, →accent, and →rhythm. The occidental 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.

1.232 syntonic comma

ES: coma sintónica, I: comma sintonico (o didimico), F: comma syntonique, D: syntonisches Komma, NL: syntonische komma, DK: syntonisk komma, S: syntoniskt komma, FI: syntoninen komma, terssien taajuusero luonnollisessa ja Pytagorisessa viritysjärjestelmässä.

Difference between the natural third and the third obtained by Pythagorean tuning (→Pythagorean comma), equal to 22 cents.

1.233 system

ES: sistema, I: accollatura, F: système, D: Notensystem, NL: systeem, DK: system, S: system, FI: nuottijärjestelmä.

The collection of staves →staff, two or more, as used for writing down of keyboard, chamber, choral, or orchestral music.

1.234 temperament

ES: temperamento, I: temperamento, F: tempérament, D: Stimmung, Temperatur, NL: stemming, temperatuur, DK: temperatur, S: temperatur, FI: viritysjärjestelmä.

1.235 tempo indication

ES: indicación de tempo, I: indicazione di tempo, F: indication de tempo, D: Zeitmaß, Tempobezeichnung, NL: tempo aanduiding, DK: tempobetegelse, S: tempobeteckning, FI: tempomerkintä.

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.

1.236 tenor

ES: tenor, I: tenore, F: ténor, D: Tenor, NL: tenor, DK: tenor, S: tenor, FI: tenori, korkea miesääni.

1.237 tenth

ES: décima, I: decima, F: dixième, D: Dezime, NL: deciem, DK: decim, S: decima, FI: desimi.

1.238 tenuto

ES: subrayado (tenuto), I: tenuto, F: tenue, tenuto, D: gehalten, tenuo, NL: tenuto, DK: tenuto, S: tenuto, FI: viiva, tenuto.

An indication that a particular note should be held for the whole length, although this can vary depending on the composer and era.

1.239 third

ES: tercera, I: terza, F: tierce, D: Terz, NL: terts, DK: terts, S: ters, FI: terssi.

1.240 thirty-second note

ES: fusa, I: biscroma, F: triple croche, UK: demisemiquaver, D: Zweiunddreissigstel, Zweiunddreissigstelnote, NL: twee-endertigste noot, DK: toogtredivtedelsnode, S: trettiotvåondelsnot, FI: kolmanneskymmeneskahdesosanuotti.

1.241 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, FI: kolmanneskymmeneskahdesosatauko.

1.242 thorough bass

ES: bajo cifrado, I: basso continuo, basso numerato, F: basse chiffrée, basse continue, D: Generalbass, bezifferter Bass, NL: basso continuo, becijferde bas DK: generalbas, S: generalbas, FI: kenraalibasso, numeroitu basso.

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.

1.243 tie

ES: ligadura de prolongación, I: legatura (di valore), F: liaison, D: Haltebogen, NL: overbinding, bindingsboog, DK: bindebue, S: bindebåge, överbindning, FI: sitominen.

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 (tone) equal to the combined durations.

1.244 time

1.245 time signature

ES: indicación de compás, I: segni di tempo, F: chiffrage (chiffres indicateurs), signe de valeur, indication de mesure, D: Taktangabe, Angabe der Taktart, NL: maatsoort, DK: taktangivelse, S: taktartssignatur, FI: tahtiosoitus.

1.246 tone

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 atonal sounds.

1.247 tonic

ES: tónica, I: tonica, F: tonique, D: Tonika, NL: tonica, DK: tonika, S: tonika, FI: toonika.

1.248 transposition

ES: transporte, I: trasposizione, F: transposition, D: Transposition, NL: transpositie, DK: transposition, S: transponering, FI: transponointi.

1.249 treble clef

ES: clave de sol, I: chiave di violino, F: clé de sol, D: Violinschlüssel, Sopranschlüssel, NL: viool sleutel, DK: diskantnøgle, S: diskantklav, FI: diskanttiavain.

1.250 tremolo

ES: trémolo, I: tremolo, F: trémolo, D: Tremolo, NL: tremolo, DK: tremolo, S: tremolo, FI: tremolo.

On stringed instruments (→strings) the quick reiteration of the same tone, produced by a rapid up-and-down 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).

1.251 triad

ES: tríada, I: triade, F: triade, accord parfait, accord de trois sons, D: Dreiklang, NL: drieklank, DK: treklang, S: treklang, FI: kolmisointu.

1.252 trill

ES: trino, I: trillo, F: trille, tremblement, battement (cadence), D: Triller, NL: triller, DK: trille, S: drill, FI: trilli.

1.253 triple meter

ES: compás ternario, I: tempo ternario, F: mesure ternaire, D: in drei, NL: driedelige maatsoort, DK: tredelt takt, S: tretakt, FI: kolmijakoinen.

1.254 triplet

ES: tresillo, I: terzina, F: triolet, D: Triole, NL: triool, DK: triol, S: triol, FI: trioli.

1.255 tritone

ES: tritono, I: tritono, F: triton, D: Tritonus, NL: tritoon, DK: tritonus, S: tritonus, FI: tritonus.

1.256 tuning fork

ES: diapasón, I: diapason, corista, F: diapason, D: Stimmgabel, NL: stemvork, DK: stemmegaffel, S: stämgaffel, FI: viritysavain.

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).

1.257 turn

ES: grupeto, I: gruppetto, F: grupetto, D: Doppelschlag, NL: dubbelslag, DK: dobbeltslag, S: dubbelslag, FI: korukuvio.

1.258 unison

ES: unísono, I: unisono, F: unisson, D: unisono, NL: unisono, DK: unison, S: unison, FI: unisono, yksiäänisesti.

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.

1.259 upbeat

ES: anacrusa, I: anacrusi, F: anacrouse, levée, D: Auftakt, NL: opmaat, DK: optakt, S: upptakt, FI: kohotahti.

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

1.260 voice

ES: voz, I: voce, F: voix, D: Stimme, NL: stem, DK: stemme, S: stämma, FI: ääni, lauluääni.

1.261 weak beat

ES: tiempo débil, I: tempo debole, arsi, F: temps faible, D: unbetonter Taktteil oder Taktschlag, NL: arsis, DK: ubetonet taktslag, S: obetonat taktslag, FI: tahdin heikko isku.

1.262 whole note

ES: redonda, I: semibreve, F: ronde, UK: semibreve, D: Ganze, ganze Note, NL: hele noot, DK: helnode, S: helnot, FI: kokonuotti.

1.263 whole rest

ES: silencio de redonda, I: pausa di semibreve, F: pause, UK: semibreve rest, D: ganze Pause, ganztaktige Pause, NL: hele rust, DK: helnodespause, S: helpaus, FI: kokotauko.

1.264 whole tone

ES: tono (entero), I: tono intero, F: ton entier, D: Ganzton, NL: hele toon, DK: heltone, S: helton, FI: kokoaskel.

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.

1.265 woodwind

ES: maderas, I: legni, F: les bois, D: Holzbläser, NL: houtblazers, DK træblæsere, S: träblåsare, FI: puupuhaltimet.

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.

2 Duration names, notes and rests

	UK	I	F (note name / rest name)
	D	NL	DK
	S	FI	ES

longa	longa	longa	longa
	Longa	longa	longa
	longa	longa	longa

breve	breve	breve	brève / double-pause
	Brevis	brevis	brevis
	brevis	brevis	cuadrada

whole	semibreve	semibreve	ronde / pause
	Ganze	hele	hel
	hel	kokonuotti/-tauko	redonda

half	minim	minima	blanche / demi-pause
	Halbe	halve	halv
	halv	puolinuotti/-tauko	blanca

quarter	crotchet	semiminima	noire / soupir
	Viertel	kwart	fjerdedel
	fjärdedel	neljännesosanuotti/-tauko	negra

eighth	quaver	croma	croche / demi-soupir
	Achtel	achtste	ottendedel
	åttondel	kahdeksasosanuotti/-tauko	corchea

sixteenth	semiquaver	semicroma	double croche / quart de soupir
	Sechzehntel	zestiende	sekstendedel
	sextondel	kuudestoistaosanuotti/-tauko	semicorchea

thirty-second	demisemiquaver	biscroma	triple croche / huitième de soupir
	Zweiunddreissigstel	tweeendertigste	toogtredivtedel
	trettiotvåondel	kolmaskymmeneskahdesosanuotti/-tauko	fusa

sixty-fourth	hemidemisemiquaver	semibiscroma	quadruple croche / seizième de soupir
	Vierundsechzigstel	vierenzestigste	fireogtredsindstyvendedel
	sextiofjärdedel	kuudeskymmenesneljäsosanuotti/-tauko	semifusa

3 Pitch names

	ES	I	F	D	NL	DK	S	FI

c	do	do	ut	C	c	c	c	c

c-sharp	do sostenido	do diesis	ut dièse	Cis	cis	cis	cis	cis

d-flat	re bemol	re bemolle	ré bémol	Des	des	des	des	des

d	re	re	ré	D	d	d	d	d

e	mi	mi	mi	E	e	e	e	e

f	fa	fa	fa	F	f	f	f	f

g	sol	sol	sol	G	g	g	g	g

a-flat	la bemol	la bemolle	la bémol	As	as	as	as	as

a	la	la	la	A	a	a	a	a

a-sharp	la sostenido	la diesis	la dièse	Ais	ais	ais	ais	ais

b-flat	si bemol	si bemolle	si bémol	B	bes	b	b	b

b	si	si	si	H	b	h	h	h

Literature used

This page is for LilyPond-2.10.33 (stable-branch).

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Music glossary