There are many terms used in music. Below is a list of commonly understood words connected with music and performances of music, together with simple definitions to explain the music term.
| # |
Music Term |
Simple definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allegro | Quick and lively |
| 2 | Alto | lower female or unbroken male voice |
| 3 | Aria | a song |
| 4 | Ballad | folk song |
| 5 | Baritone | Male singing voice |
| 6 | Bolero | Spanish dance |
| 7 | cadenza | solo section |
| 8 | Cantata | A choral work |
| 9 | Chamber music | music for a small ensemble of instruments |
| 10 | Chorus | a group of singers |
| 11 | Classical | fine music or serious music |
| 12 | Clavichord | keyboard instrument with a hammer-action |
| 13 | Concerto | instrumental music for soloist |
| 14 | contralto | Lowest female singing voice |
| 15 | Contralto | female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type |
| 16 | Countertenor | male alto |
| 17 | Crescendo | gradually play louder |
| 18 | Duet | a piece of music written for two performers |
| 19 | Ensemble | group of performers |
| 20 | Ensemble | a group of performers |
| 21 | Fanfare | flourish of trumpets |
| 22 | Fugue | contrapuntal |
| 23 | giusto | Strict, exact, right |
| 24 | Harmonium | keyboard instrument that produces its sounds by means of air from bellows |
| 25 | Harmony | Sounding together |
| 26 | Harpsichord | a keyboard instrument which the strings are plucked |
| 27 | Hornpipe | a rapid British dance |
| 28 | Hymn | song of religious worship |
| 29 | Libretto | Words of a vocal work |
| 30 | Madrigal | A vocal composition |
| 31 | magnifico | Magnificent |
| 32 | medley | composed from parts of existing pieces |
| 33 | Melodrama | a drama with musical accompaniment and interludes |
| 34 | Minstrel | musical entertainer |
| 35 | Minuet | A French dance |
| 36 | movement | section of a musical composition |
| 37 | Nonet | composition for nine performers |
| 38 | Octave | The interval of an eight |
| 39 | Octet | music written for 8 performers |
| 40 | Operetta | a light opera |
| 41 | Oratorio | work for orchestra and voices |
| 42 | Overture | An introductory piece of music |
| 43 | pianissimo | very gently |
| 44 | Pianoforte | Colloquially known as the ‘piano’ |
| 45 | Pizzicato | pluck the strings |
| 46 | Polka | a Bohemian dance |
| 47 | Presto | Very quickly |
| 48 | prima donna | Leading female singer |
| 49 | Quartet | group of four players |
| 50 | Quintet | name for a group of five players |
| 51 | Requiem Mass | Catholic Mass of the dead |
| 52 | Rhapsody | a work free in form and inspiration, |
| 53 | Rhythm | an essential element in music |
| 54 | Scale | sequence of notes |
| 55 | Score | A musical score is written music that shows all parts |
| 56 | Sextet | group of six players. |
| 57 | Sinfonietta | a small symphony |
| 58 | Sonata | A composition for soloist, or soloist with piano accompaniment |
| 59 | Soprano | highest female voice |
| 60 | stanza | A verse of a song |
| 61 | Suite | an instrumental piece consisting of several shorter pieces |
| 62 | Symphony | large scale orchestral work |
| 63 | Tempo | speed at which a piece of music is played |
| 64 | Tenor | male singing voice |
| 65 | Tenor | the highest male voice |
| 66 | Timpani | kettledrums |
| 67 | Toccata | instrumental work |
| 68 | Trio | group of three players |
| 69 | Virginal | a small harpsichord of varied shape and size |
| 70 | virtuoso | performing with exceptional ability |
| 71 | Waltz | A dance in triple time |