Glossary of Musical Terms PDF

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GlossaryofMusicalTerms  Inmymusicstudies,Ihaveoftenfounditfrustratingnotknowingthemeaning ofallthewordsonthepage.Manycomposersmakeveryspecificindications, andseldomarethoseindications inEnglish.What follows is afairlylong list  of musical definitions and descriptions gleaned primarily from multiple Internet searches (utilizing available translation services).  I also used a few booksources,mostlyforpurposesofcorroboration.  A vast majority of this glossary relates most directly to trumpet and brass literature.  These are words and phrases which I have found in solo and orchestralliterature,aswellasinetudebooksandothermusictexts.Thoughit isgearedtowardstrumpetplayers,Ibelieveitmightbeusefultoanymusician. Please note that, while this listing has in excess of 1,200 entries, it  is by no meansanexhaustivelist.  Any serious student of music should own a copy of the Harvard Dictionary of Music (Belknap Press of the Harvard University Press).  This book goes far beyond being just a simpleglossaryofterms.Itisreallyanencyclopedia,encompassingawiderangeofmusical topics, and I find it interesting just to read a few articles once in a while.  Beyond the dictionaryentries,therearearticlesonimportantcomposersandimportantindividualpieces, entries on widely varying musical styles, music theory and general music history.  The information is very well‐researched and each entry more‐than‐adequately covers themajor aspects of each topic.  The book is available in many places and currently sells for approximately$40.00. 

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TableofContents 

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A–Angosciosamente 1 Ängstlich–BMI 2 Bol–Consordina 3 Cor–En 4 Endehors–Fort 5 Forte–Grandezza 6 Grandioso‐LePoèmedelʹextase 7 LeSacreduPrintemps–Melancolico 8 Meno–Oktett 9 Omaggio–Pp 10 Précédente–Sanft 11 Sans–Slargando 12 Slentando–Taktmesser 13 Taktstrich–Unis. 14 Unison–Zunge 15 Appendices PitchNames AppendixA Clef AppendixB

GlossaryofMusicalTerms

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A[It.]:Articlemeaningto,at,for,in,inthestyleof, per. À[Fr.]:Articlemeaningto,at,for,in,inthestyleof, per. Abeneplacito[It.]:Attheperformerʹspleasure. Acapella[It.]:Performedwithoutinstrumental accompaniment. Adue[It.]:(ora2)Intendedasaduet;fortwovoices orinstruments. Àla[Fr.]:Tothe,atthe;orinthemannerof. Apiacere[It.]:Attheperfomerʹspleasure. Atempo[It.]:Returntooriginaltempoaftersome deviationfromit. Àvolonté[Fr.]:Attheperformer’spleasure. a2[It.]:(oradue)Intendedasaduet;fortwovoices orinstruments. Ab[Ger.]:Off,aswithamute. Abandonné[Fr.]:Withabandon,withoutrestraint. Abbandonatamente[It.]:Withabandon,without restraint. Abbellimento[It.]:Ornament. Aber[It.]:But. Abnehmend[Ger.]:(dim.)Decreasinginvolume. Absetzen[Ger.]:Seperated,articulated. Abtossen[Ger.]:Detached. Accarezzévole[It.]:Expressiveandcaring;sweetly. Accelerando[It.]:(accel.)Becomingfaster;faster. Accelerato[It.]:(accel.)Becomingfaster;faster. Accentato[It.]:Marked,stressed,emphasized. Accompagnato[It.]:Accompanied. Accusé[Fr.]:Marked,stressed,emphasized. Adlibitum[Lat.]:Attheperformer’spleasure; sometimesmeansapassagemaybeomitted. Adagietto[It.]:Slightlyfastertempothanadagio; slowtempo,butlesssomberthanadagio. Adagio[It.]:Slowtempo. Adagissimo[It.]:Extremelyslowtempo. Addolorato[It.]:Pained,afflicted. Affabile[It.]:Affable,pleasant. Affannato[It.]:Anguished. Affannoso[It.]:Anguished. Affectueusement[Fr.]:Affectionate. Affettuoso[It.]:(alsoAffetuosamente)Affectionate. Affretanrdo[It.]:Hurrying. Agevole[It.]:Easy,unrestricted. Aggradevole[It.]:Pleasing. Agiatamente[It.]:Sedate,withease. Agiato[It.]:Sedate,withease. Agile[It.]:Agile. Agilmente[It.]:Agile. Agitato[It.]:Agitated.

Agité[Fr.]:Agitated. Ähnlich[Ger.]:Similar,alike. Airietta[It.]:Ashortaria. Aisé[Fr.]:Withease. Al[It.]:Tothe,atthe;orinthemannerof. Al[It.]:Tothe,atthe. Alla[It.]:Tothe,atthe;inthemannerof. Allabreve[It.]:Atthebreve;cuttime. Allant[Fr.]:Going,stirring,continuing;andante. Allargando[It.]:Broadening,becomingslower; sometimesaccompaniedwithincreasedvolume. Alle[Ger.]:All. Allemenschenmuessensterben[Ger.]:Allpeople mustdie;BachchoralereferenceinHindemithʹs ʺSonataʺforTrumpetandPiano. Allegramente[It.]:Merry,lively;fast. Allegretto[It.]:Slightlyslowerthanallegro. Allegrissimo[It.]:Veryfast,butslightlyslowerthan Presto. Allegro[It.]:(allo)Merry,lively;fast. Allein[Ger.]:Alone. Allentamente[It.]:Slowingdown. Allentando[It.]:Slowingdown. Allmählich[Ger.]:Gradually,littlebylittle. Als[Ger.]:Than. AlsosprachZarathustra[Ger.]:ʺThusSpake Zarathustra;ʺmajororchestralwork(tonepoem) byRichardStrauss,inspiredbythebookofthe samenamebyFriedrichNietzsche. Altissimo[It.]:Veryhigh. Alto[It.]:High;usuallyreferstoaparticularvoice part,higherthantenor,butlowerthansoprano. Am[Ger.]:Atthe,atthat. Amabile[It.]:Amiable,likeable. Amarevole[It.]:Bitterorbitterly. Amaro[It.]:Bitterorbitterly. Amore[It.]:Love,lovingly. Amorevole[It.]:Love,lovingly. Amoroso[It.]:Love,lovingly. Anacrusis[Lat.]:Anoteorgroupofnoteswhich precedethefirstfullmeasure;slsoknownasa ʺpickupnote.ʺ Ancora[It.]:Still,more. Andacht[Ger.]:Devotion,devoutly. Andächtig[Ger.]:Devotion,devoutly. Andante[It.]:Walking;moderatelyslow. Andantino[It.]:Slightlyfasterthanandante. Anfang[Ger.]:Beginning. Angenehm[Ger.]:Pleasant,pleasantly. Anglaise[Fr.]:English. Angosciosamente[It.]:Anguished.

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Ängstlich[It.]:Anxious,anxiously. Animando[It.]:Animating,becominganimated, animated;indicatesspeedingup. Animandosi[It.]:Animating,becominganimated, animated;indicatesspeedingup. Animato[It.]:Animating,becominganimated, animated;indicatesspeedingup. Animato[It.]:Animated,lively. Animé[Fr.]:Animated;moderatelyfasttempo. Animez[Fr.]:Animate,bringtolife. Animo[It.]:Spirit,spirited. Animoso[It.]:Spirit,spirited. Anmutig[Ger.]:Graceful,gracefully. Anschwellend[Ger.]:Increasinginvolume,louder. Anwachsend[Ger.]:Growing,swelling,increasing. Apaisé[Fr.]:Calm,calmed. Appasionato[It.]:Impassioned. Appena[It.]:Scarcely. Appoggiatora[It.]:Adisonantpitchonastronger beatresolvingup ordowntoaconsonantpitch onaweakerbeat. Appuyé[Fr.]:Accented,accentuated. Ardimente[It.]:Boldly. Ardito[It.]:Boldly. Aria[It.]:Air;anexpressivesong,usuallyperformed byasinger. Arioso[It.]:Airy,likeanair;melodious;inthe mannerofanaria. Armonioso[It.]:Harmoniously. Arpeggio[It.]:Toplayontheharp;abrokenchord wherethenotesareplayedorsunginsequence (asaharp),oneaftertheother,ratherthan simultaneouslyasachord. Arriver[Fr.]:Arrive. ASCAP:AbbreviatedforAmericanSocietyof Composers,AuthorsandPublishers. Assai[It.]:Much,verymuch. Assez[It.]:Sufficiently,rather. Atem[Ger.]:Breath. Atempause[Ger.]:Breathingpause. Attacca[It.]:Attack,attackimmediately;movetothe nextmovementimmediately. Attaccasubito[It.]:Attacksuddenly,attack immediately;movetothenextmovement immediately. Auf[Ger.]:Up. Aufgeregt[Ger.]:Excited,energetic. Ausdruck[Ger.]:Expression. Ausdrucksvoll[Ger.]:Expression;expressively. Aushalten[Ger.]:Tosustain,hold. Äusserst[Ger.]:Extremely,much,very.

Avec[Fr.]:With,togetherwith. Avoir[Fr.]:Own,have. Barbaro[It.]:Barbarous;barbaric. Barcarola[It.]:Song,oftenin6/8or12/8time, originatinginVenice,Italy. Barcarole[En.]:Song,oftenin6/8or12/8time, originatinginVenice,Italy. Barcarolle[Fr.]:Song,oftenin6/8or12/8time, originatinginVenice,Italy. Bass[En.]:Thelowestofthefourstandardvoice ranges(soprano,alto,tenor,bass);thelowest melodiclineinamusicalcomposition, defininingandsupportingtheharmony. Basso[It.]:Low,bass;thelowestofthefour standardvoiceranges(soprano,alto,tenor, bass);thelowestmelodiclineinamusical composition,defininingandsupportingthe harmony. Bassocontinuo[It.]:Continuousbass;basspart playedthroughoutapiecetodefiningand supportingharmonicstructure,usedprimarily inmusicoftheBaroqueperiod. Bedächtig[Ger.]:Deliberate,slow. Behende[Ger.]:Agile, quick. Beklemmt[Ger.]:Anxious,oppressed. Belebend[Ger.]:Lively,animated. Belebt[Ger.]:Lively,animated. Bellicoso[It.]:Bellicose,pugnacious;warlikein manner. Ben[It.]:Well. Bene[It.]:Well. Beruhigend[Ger.]:Calm,calming. Beruhigt[Ger.]:Calm,calming. Beschleunigend[Ger.]:Speedingup. Beschleunigt[Ger.]:Speedingup. Bestimmt[Ger.]:Decisive,decisively. Betont[Ger.]:Accented,stressed. Beweglich[Ger.]:Nimble,nimbly,agile. Bewegt[Ger.]:Agitated. Bien[Fr.]:Fine,good,well. Binary[Lat.]:Consistingoftwoparts;inmusic,a formconsistingoftwoparts:AB. Bis[Lat.]:Twice;repeattherelevantactionof passage. Blasinstrument[Ger.]:Windinstrument. Blasmusik[Ger.]:Musicforwindinstruments. Blech[Ger.]:Brassinstruments. Blechinstrumente[Ger.]:Brassinstruments. Blechmusik[Ger.]:Musicforbrassinstruments. BMI:AbbreviationforBroadcastMusic Incorporated.

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Bol[Fr.]:Bowl;oftenreferstocupmute. Bolero[Sp.]:Dancein3/4time,originatinginSpain. Bon[Fr.]:Good,fair,fine. Bravura[It.]:Skill,bravery;virtuosticdisplay. Breit[Ger.]:Broad. Breve[Lat.]:Short. Brevis[Lat.]:Short. Brillante[It.]:Brilliant. Brilliante[It.]:Brilliant. Brio[It.]:Vivacious,spirited. Brioso[It.]:Vivacious,spirited. Buccina[Lat.]:ARomantrumpetorhorn;straight trumpet. Bügelhorn[Ger.]:Bugle. Bugle[Fr.]:Flugelhorn. Buisine[Fr.]:Amedievalmilitarytrumpet. Busine[Fr.]:Amedievalmilitarytrumpet. Buysine[Fr.]:Amedievalmilitarytrumpet. Buzanne[Fr.]:Amedievalmilitarytrumpet. Buzine[Fr.]:Amedievalmilitarytrumpet. BWV[Ger.]:(Bach‐Werke‐Verzeichnis)Athematic catalogoftheworksofJ.S.Bach. Cadence[Fr.]:Cadence,rhythm. Cadenza[It.]:Asolosection,usuallyinaconcertoor similarwork,usedtodisplaytheperformerʹs technique. Caesura[It.]:Pause. Calando[It.]:Decreasinginloudnessandusuallyin tempo. Calmando[It.]:Calm,calming;becomingquiet. Calmato[It.]:Calm,calming;becomingquiet. Calore[It.]:Warm,warmth,passionately. Caloroso[It.]:Warm,warmth,passionately. Cambiare[It.]:Tochange;i.e.tochangetoanew instrument,etc. Camminando[It.]:Walking,movingevenlyalong. Cantabile[It.]:(cant.)Singable,songlike. Cantando[It.]:Singing. Capo[It.]:Head. Capriccio[It.]:Capricious,capriciously,atthe playerʹspleasure;alsoamusicalforminalight style. Capricciosamente[It.]:Capricious,capriciously,at theplayerʹspleasure. Capriccioso[It.]:Capricious,capriciously,atthe playerʹspleasure. Carazzendo[It.]:Soothingly,caressingly. Cedando[It.]:Slowingdown. Cédez[Fr.]:Yield,slowdown. Celare[It.]:Fast,quickly. Celeramente[It.]:Fast,quickly.

Cesura[Sp.]:Pause. Césure[Fr.]:Pause. Chalaur[Fr.]:Warm,warmth,passionately. Chanté[Fr.]:Singing. Chasse[Fr.]:Chase,hunt. Chiaramente[It.]:Clear,clearly. Chiaro[It.]:Clear,clearly. Chiave[It.]:Clef;seeAppendixB. Chiuso[It.]:Closed;mutedbyhand. Cinq[Fr.]:Five. Clarino[It.]:HighrangeoftheBaroque(natural) trumpet(thelowrangeiscalledtheprincipalle); referstothestylefotrumpetplayingutilizing thehighregisterofthenaturaltrumpet,where theharmonicseriesallowsfordiatonic movement. Clave[Sp.]:Clef;seeAppendixB. Clef[En.]:SeeAppendixB. Clos[Fr.]:Shut,closed. Coda[It.]:Tail;concludingsection. Codetta[It.]:Asmallcoda. Col[It.]:With. Collaparte[It.]:Aplayershoulddoubleanotherʹs part. Colossale[It.]:Collossal,tremendous. Comdamente[It.]:Comfortable,easy(usuallyrefers totempo) Come[It.]:How,as,like. Comeprima[It.]:Asbefore,likethefirsttime; usuallyreferstoanearliertempoorspecifically thefirsttempo. Comesopra[It.]:Asabove;usuallyreferstothe previoustempo Comme[Fr.]:As,like. Commontime[En.]:Referstothetimesignature4/4. Commosso[It.]:Moved,touched. Comodo[It.]:Comfortable,easy(usuallyrefersto tempo) Con[It.]:With. Conaffeto[It.]:Withaffection,oremotion. Conamore[It.]:Withlove Conanima[It.]:Withsoul,orfeeling. Conbrio[It.]:Withspirit,vigor. Condolore[It.]:Withsadness. Conespressione[It.]:Withexpression. Conforza[It.]:Withstrength,force. Confuoco[It.]:Withfire. Conlarghezza[It.]:Withbroadness. Conmoto[It.]:With,movement,motion. Conslancio[It.]:Withmomentum,impetus. Consordina[It.]:Withmute.

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Cor[Fr.]:Horn. Cornetàpistons[Fr.]:Cornet. Corneta[Sp.]:Cornet. Cornetta[It.]:Cornet. Corno[It.]:Horn. Crescendo[It.]:(cresc.)Growing;increasingvolume. Cuarteto[Sp.]:(Quartet)Ensembleoffourplayers. Cuivre[Fr.]:Brassyandharsh. Cuttime[En.]:Referstothetimesignature2/2. D.C.:Abbreviationfordacapo. D.S.:Abbreviationfordalsegno. Da[It.]:From,at. DaCapo[It.]:(D.C.)Fromthebeginning. Dal[It.]:Fromthe. DalSegno[It.]:(D.S.)Fromthesign. Dämpfer[Ger.]:Mute. Dʹattaque[Fr.]:Attack. Dauer[Ger.]:Duration. Dauernd[Ger.]:Duration. De[Fr.]:From,of. Debole[It.]:Weak,faint. Décidé[Fr.]:Decisive,decisively. Decisamente[It.]:Decisive,decisively. Deciso[It.]:Decisive,decisively. Declamato[It.]:Declamatory. Decrescendo[It.]:(decresc.)Decreasinginvolume. Dehors[Fr.]:Intheopen,prominent. Del[It.]:Ofthe,aboutthe. Delicatamente[It.]:Delicate,delicately. Delicatezza[It.]:Delicate,delicately. Delicato[It.]:Delicate,delicately. Délié[Fr.]:Sharp,detached. Derb[Ger.]:Rough,robust. Des[Fr.]:The,some. Détaché[Fr.]:Detached;unconcerned,nonchalant. Deutlich[Ger.]:Clear,distinct. Deux[Fr.]:Two. Devoto[It.]:Devout,devoutly,faithful. Di[It.]:About,of,by. Dimolto[It.]:Very. Dinuovo[It.]:New,again. Diluendo[It.]:Dilute,thinning;dyingaway. Diminuendo[It.]:(dim.)Decreasinginvolume. Disinvolto[It.]:Confident,freeandeasy. Dissonante[It.]:Dissonant. Div.[It.]:Abbreviationfordivisi;part,divide. Divisi[It.]:Part,divide. Doigté[Fr.]:Fingering. Dolce[It.]:Sweet. Dolcezza[It.]:Sweetness,gentleness. Dolcissimo[It.]:Muchsweetness,gentleness.

Dolente[It.]:Sad. Doloroso[It.]:Painful,mournful. Doppelt[Ger.]:Double. Doppeltsoschnell[Ger.]:Twiceasfast. Doppio[It.]:Double. Doppiomovimento[It.]:Twiceasfast. Doubletongue[En.]:Useoftwoconsonants(tah‐ kah)infastarticulationofcoupletsonbrass instrumentsandsomewoodwinds. Doucement[Fr.]:Gently,softly. Douloureux[Fr.]:Painful,sorrowful. Doux[Fr.]:Sweet,soft. Doux[Fr.]:Gentle,sweet,soft. Drammatico[It.]:Dramatically. Drängend[Ger.]:Pressing,quickening. Duolo[It.]:Grief. Dur[Ger.]:Major. Duramente[It.]:Harshly,severely. Durchdringend[Ger.]:Piercing,shrill Dureté[Fr.]:Hardness,harshness,toughness; severity. Durezza[It.]:Hardness,toughness. Dynamics[It.]:Referstotherelativevolumein executionofapieceofmusic. E[It.]:And. Éclatant[Fr.]:Brilliant,dazzling,asanexplosion. Eco[It.]:Echo. Ègalement[Fr.]:Too,same,aswell. Égalité[Fr.]:Equality. Eile[Ger.]:Hurry. Eilend[Ger.]:Hurrying. EinHeldenleben[Ger.]:ʺAHeroicLife;ʺmajor orchestralwork(tonepoem)byRichardStrauss. Einwenig[Ger.]:Alittle. EineAlpensinfonie[Ger.]:ʺAnAlpineSympony;ʺ majororchestralwork(tonepoem)byRichard Strauss. Einfacht[Ger.]:Simple. Einhlang[Ger.]:Unison. Élargissant[Fr.]:Broadening,becomingslower; sometimesaccompaniedwithincreasedvolume. Élégant[Fr.]:Elegant,graceful. Élégant[It.]:Elegant. Elegante[It.]:Elegant. Empfindsamkeit[Ger.]:Sensitiveness, sentimentality. Empfindung[Ger.]:Sensitivity,feeling. Empressé[Fr.]:Avid,eager. Ému[Fr.]:Touched,moved,withemotion. En[Fr.]:In,into,at;forphrasesbeginningwiththis preposition,seethewordfollowing.

GlossaryofMusicalTerms

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Endehors[Fr.]:Prominent;prominently. Enpressant[Fr.]:Pressingforward. Enretenant[Fr.]:Holdingback. Enchaînez[Fr.]:Chain,restrain,secure;continue withoutpause. Encore[Fr.]:Again;inperformance,anadditional pieceorfragmentofmaterialperformedusually attherequestoftheaudience. Energico[It.]:Energetic,stirring,vigorous. Energique[Fr.]:Energetic,stirring,vigorous. Enfatico[It.]:Emphatic;emphatically. Enlevez[Fr.]:Takeoff. Entendre[Fr.]:Tohear. Entendu[Fr.]:Heard. Entfernt[Ger.]:Inthedistance,distant. Entrain[Fr.]:Pep,energy. Entscheiden[Ger.]:Decided,resolute. Entschlössen[Ger.]:Decided,resolute,determined. Epilogue[Fr.]:Concludingsection. Ergriffen[Ger.]:Moved,stirred. Erhaben[Ger.]:Sublime,noble. Erhabenheit[Ger.]:Sublimity,nobility. Erlöschend[Ger.]:Extinguishing,dyingaway. Ermattend[Ger.]:Tiring,weakening. Ernst[Ger.]:Earnest,serious. Ernsthaft[Ger.]:Earnest,serious. Eroica[It.]:Heroic,heroically. Ersatz[Ger.]:Replacement,substitute. Ersterbend[Ger.]:Dyingaway. Erweitern[Ger.]:Expand,extend. Esercizio[It.]:Exercise,study. Espirando[It.]:Breathingout;expiring,dyingaway. Espressif[It.]:(espressivo)Withexpression. Espressione[It.]:Expression. Espressivo[It.]:(Espress.,Espr.)Withexpression. Estilo[Sp.]:Style. Estinguendo[It.]:Extinguishing,dyingaway. Estinto[It.]:Extinct,extinguished;barelyaudible. Estompé[Fr.]:Toneddown. Et[Fr.]:And. Éteindre[Fr.]:Toextinguish. Étouffé[Fr.]:Hushed,muted,dampened. Étouffoir[Fr.]:Hushed,muted,dampened. Etude[Fr.]:Exercise,study. Etwas[Ger.]:Somewhat. Eutschlossen[Ger.]:Resolute,determined. Extrêmement[Fr.]:Extremely. F[It.]:Abbreviationforforte;loud. Facile[It.]:Easy,simple. Facilmente[It.]:Easily,simply. Facultatif[Fr.]:Optional.

Fanfaretongue[En.]:(Utilitytongue)Tripletongue usingtah‐kah‐tahpattern;saidtoprovidemore evenandpreciserhythm. Fantasque[Fr.]:Whimsical,capricious. Fastoso[It.]:Sumptuous,pompous. Feierlich[Ger.]:Solemn. Fermata[It.]:Stop;inpractice,thedurationofaso‐ markednoteisatthediscretionoftheperformer ortheconductor;afermataattheendofafirst orintermediatemovementorsectionisusually moderatelyprolonged,butthefinalfermataofa symphonymaybepro Ferne[Ger.]:Distance. Fernwerk[Ger.]:Asanecho. Feroce[It.]:Ferociously. FesteRomane[It.]:ʺRomanFestivals;ʺmajor orchestralworkbyOttorinoRespighi(thethird ofhisso‐calledʺRomanTrilogyʺ). Festivamente[It.]:Festive,cheerful. Festoso[It.]:Festive. Festspiel[Ger.]:Festive. Feuer[Ger.]:Fire,passion. Feuerig[Ger.]:Fiery,passionate. FF[It.]:Abbreviationforfortissimo;veryloud. Fieramente[It.]:Proud,haughty,fierce. Fiero[It.]:Prou...