Music has long been a passion of mine ever since I was in elementary school and learned to play my first instrument, the flute. In those days, we learned popular songs such as holiday tunes and even the pop hits of the day. It’s been decades since I last played the flute, though my interest remains high. One of the great things about writing these posts is that I get to learn a few facts of my own that I hadn’t previously realized.
For instance, I learned the word “polyphony” quite a while ago, though I hadn’t been able to determine exactly what it means, even with the examples provided in the instructional video I saw. After watching the video several times, I finally understood what the word means, and it’s just one example of the beautiful array of musical terms in English and other languages, especially Italian and French, as well as German, Spanish, et al.
If you love music as I do, I invite you to delve into our collection of articles that highlight novelty songs, including 10 Rare, Obscure, and Weird Songs From the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and Silly Songs From the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, and 12 Sequel Songs You Didn’t Know Existed.
Here are 20 such terms I’ve encountered, and am delighted to share with you.
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| 20 Beautiful Musical Terms From Around the World | |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Pizzicato [pit-si-KAH-toh] Plucking the strings to create a light, percussive sound. |
| 2️⃣ | Klangfarbenmelodie [KLAHNG-fahr-ben-meh-loh-dee] A technique where timbre shapes the melody. |
| 3️⃣ | Polyphony [puh-LI-fuh-nee] Multiple independent melodies played together. |
| 4️⃣ | Ambitus [AHM-bee-toos] The range of pitches in a melody or vocal span. |
| 5️⃣ | Tremolo [TREH-moh-loh] Rapid repetition of a note for a shimmering effect. |
| 6️⃣ | En Dehors [ahn duh-OHR] A directive to bring a part to the forefront. |
| 7️⃣ | Choro [SHO-roh] A Brazilian genre mixing folk and classical elements. |
| 8️⃣ | Pianissimo [pee-ah-NEE-see-moh] A directive to play very softly. |
| 9️⃣ | Hemiola [heh-MEE-oh-lah] A rhythmic alternation between two and three beats. |
| 1️⃣0️⃣ | Clair de Lune [klehr duh LOON] A dreamy piece often associated with ballet. |
| 1️⃣1️⃣ | Ranchera [ran-CHER-ah] A Mexican song style expressing love or patriotism. |
| 1️⃣2️⃣ | Mañanita [mah-nyah-NEE-tah] A morning serenade to greet someone special. |
| 1️⃣3️⃣ | Rondeau [ron-DOH] A musical form featuring a recurring refrain. |
| 1️⃣4️⃣ | Glissando [glih-SAHN-doh] A continuous slide between two pitches. |
| 1️⃣5️⃣ | Syncopation [sin-koh-PAY-shun] Emphasizing offbeats to create rhythmic surprise. |
| 1️⃣6️⃣ | Ritornello [ree-tor-NEH-loh] A recurring theme in Baroque music. |
| 1️⃣7️⃣ | Cadence [KAY-dens] A musical resolution marking the end of a phrase. |
| 1️⃣8️⃣ | Crescendo [kre-SHEN-doh] A gradual increase in volume or intensity. |
| 1️⃣9️⃣ | Aleatory [AL-ee-uh-tor-ee] Music involving elements of chance. |
| 2️⃣0️⃣ | Melisma [meh-LIZ-mah] Multiple notes sung on a single syllable. |