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THE
MUSICIAN’S
WORKBOOK
V
Scales & Glossary

Compiled by Tobe A. Richards

SCALE THE INTERVALS

Aeolian (AKA Natural Minor Scale) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7

(C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Algerian 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • #4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • F# • G • Ab • B)

Altered 1 • b2 • b3 • b4 • b5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Arabian (Version 1) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • #4 • #5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • F# • G# • A • B)

Arabian (Version 2) 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • #4 • #5 • b7
(C • D • E • F • F# • G# • Bb)

Arabian (Version 3) 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Augmented 1 • #2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • 7
(C • D# • E • F# • G# • B)

Auxiliary Augmented 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • #6
(C • D • E • F# • G# • A#)

Auxiliary Diminished 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • #4 • #5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • F# • G# • A • B)

Auxiliary Diminished Blues 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7

(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Balinese 1 • b2 • b3 • 5 • b6
(C • Db • Eb • G • Ab)

Blues 1 • b3 • 4 • #4 • 5 • b7
(C • Eb • F • F# • G • Bb)

Blues 1 • b3 • 4 • b5 • 5 • b7
(C • Eb • F • Gb • G • Bb)

Byzantine 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • Db • E • F • G • Ab • B)

Chinese 1 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 7
(C • E • F# • G • B)

Chinese Mongolian 1•2•3•5•6

(C • D • E • G • A)
Chromatic 1 • b2 • 2 • b3 • 3 • 4 • b5 • 5 • b6 • 6 • b7 • 7
(C • Db • D • Eb • E • F • Gb • G • Ab • A • Bb • B)

Diatonic 1•2•3•5•6
(C • D • E • G • A)

Diminished 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • A • B)

Diminished - Half 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Diminished - Whole 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • A • B)

Diminished - Whole Tone 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • b5 • b6 • b7

(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Dominant Bebop 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7 • 7
(C • D • E • F • G • A • Bb • B)

Dominant Seventh 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • G • A • Bb)

Dorian 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • Eb • F • G • A • Bb)

Dorian (Flattened Second) 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7

(C • Db • Eb • F • G • A • Bb)

Dorian Blues 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Double Harmonic 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • Db • E • F • G • Ab • B)

Egyptian 1 • 2 • 4 • 5 • b7
(C • D • F • G • Bb)

Eight Tone Spanish 1 • b2 • #2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7

(C • Db • D# • E • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Enigmatic 1 • b2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • #6 • 7
(C • Db • E • F# • G# • A# • B)

Ethiopian ( A raray) 1•2•3•4•5•6•7

(C • D • E • F • G • A • B)

Ethiopian ( Geez and Ezel) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7

(C • D Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb)
Half-Step Whole Step Diminished 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • E • F# • G • A • Bb)

Half-Whole Diminished 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Harmonic Minor 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • B)

Hawaiian 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • G • A • B)

Hindu 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Hindustan 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Hirajoshi 1 • 2 • b3 • 5 • b6
(C • D • Eb • G Ab)

Hungarian Gypsy 1 • 2 • b3 • #4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F# • G • Ab • B)

Hungarian Gypsy Persian 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7

(C • Db • E • F • G • Ab • B)

Hungarian Major 1 • #2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D# • E • F# • G • A • Bb)

Hungarian Minor 1 • 2 • b3 • #4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F# • G • Ab • B)

Ionian (AKA Major Scale) 1•2•3•4•5•6•7

(C • D • E • F • G • A • B)

Japanese (In Sen) 1 • b2 • 4 • 5 • b7

(C • Db • F • G • Bb)

Japanese (Taishikicho) 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • #4 • 5 • 6 • #6 • 7
(C • D • E • F • F# • G • A • A# • B)

Japanese (Tchikosucho) 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • #4 • 5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • E • F • F# • G • A • B)

Japanese (Version 1) 1 • b2 • 4 • 5 • b6
(C • Db • F • G • Ab)

Japanese (Version 2) 1 • 2 • 4 • 5 • b6
(C • D • F • G • Ab)
Javaneese 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • F • G • A • Bb)

Jewish (Adonai Malakh) 1 • b2 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7

(C • Db • D • Eb • F • G • A • Bb)

Jewish (Ahaba Rabba) 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7

(C • Db • E • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Jewish (Magen Abot) 1 • b2 • #2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • #6 • 7

(C • Db • D# • E • F# • G# • A# • B)

Kumoi 1 • 2 • b3 • 5 • 6
(C • D • Eb • G • A)

Leading Whole Tone 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • #6 • 7

(C • D • E • F# • G# • A# • B)

Locrian 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Locrian - Half Diminished (Version 1) 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7

(C • Db • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Locrian - Half Diminished (Version 2) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7

(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Lydian 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • E • F# • G • A • B)

Lydian Augmented 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • E • F# • G# • A • B)

Lydian Diminished 1 • 2 • b3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F# • G • A • B)

Lydian Minor 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • E • F# • G • Ab • Bb)

Major (AKA Ionian Scale) 1•2•3•4•5•6•7

(C • D • E • F • G • A • B)

Major Bebop 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 6 • 7
(C • D • E • F • G • Ab • A • B)

Major Locrian 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • Gb • Bb)

Melodic Minor (Ascending) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7

(C • D • Eb • F • G • A • B)
Melodic Minor (Descending) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Mixo-Blues 1 • 2 • b3 • 3 • 4 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • Eb • E • F • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Mixolydian 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • E • F • G • A • Bb)

Mixolydian Flattened Sixth 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7

(C • D • E • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Mohammedan 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • B)

Natural Minor (AKA Aeolian Scale) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7

(C • D • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Neopolitan 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • 7
(C • Db • Eb • F • G • Ab • B)

Neopolitan Major 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7
(C • Db • Eb • F • G • A • B)

Neopolitan Minor 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Nine Tone Scale 1 • 2 • #2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • #5 • 6 • 7

(C • D • D # • E • F# • G • G# • A • B)

Octatonic (Half-Whole) 1 • b2 • b3 • 3 • b5 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • E • Gb • G • A • Bb)

Octatonic (Whole-Half) 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • A • B)

Oriental ( Version 1) 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • E • F • Gb • Ab • Bb)

Oriental (Version 2) 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • E • F • Gb • A • Bb)

Overtone 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • E • F# • G • A • Bb)

Overtone Dominant 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • E • F# • G • A • Bb)

Pelog 1 • b2 • b3 • 5 • b6
(C • Db • Eb • G • Ab)
Pentatonic (Neutral) 1 • 2 • 4 • 5 • b7
(C • D • F • G • Bb)

Pentatonic Blues 1 • b3 • 4 • b5 • 5 • b7
(C • Eb • F • Gb • G • Bb)

Pentatonic Major 1•2•3•5•6

(C • D • E • G • A)

Pentatonic Minor 1 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b7
(C • Eb • F • G • Bb)

Persian 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • 7
(C • Db • E • F • Gb • Ab • B)

Phrygian 1 • b2 • b3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • Eb • F • G • Ab • Ab)

Prometheus 1 • 2 • 3 • b5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • E • Gb • A • Bb)

Prometheus Neopolitan 1 • b2 • 3 • b5 • 6 • b7
(C • Db • E • Gb • A • Bb)

Romanian Minor 1 • 2 • b3 • #4 • 5 • 6 • b7
(C • D • Eb • F# • G • A • Bb)

Six Tone Symmetrical 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • #5 • 6

(C • Db • E • F • G# • A)

Spanish Gypsy 1 • b2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • b6 • b7
(C • Db • E • F • G • Ab • Bb)

Super Locrian 1 • b2 • #2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • b7
(C • Db • D# • E • F# • G# • Bb)

Whole Tone 1 • 2 • 3 • #4 • #5 • b7
(C • D • E • F# • G# • Bb)

Whole-Half Diminished 1 • 2 • b3 • 4 • b5 • b6 • 6 • 7
(C • D • Eb • F • Gb • Ab • A • B)
CHORD THE NOTES THE INTERVALS

The 73 examples given below use the key of C as an example, but they can be easily transposed
into a different key using one of the transposition wheels supplied with this e-book. When a chord
is transposed, the relationship between the intervals remains constant.

Two Note Chords

C4 C•F (1 • 4)
C5 (Power Chord) C•G (1 • 5)

Three Note Chords (Triads)

C (Major) C•E•G (1 • 3 • 5)
Cm C • Eb • G (1 • b3 • 5)
C-5 C • E • Gb (1 • 3 • b5)
Cº C • Eb • Gb (1 • b3 • b5)
C+ C • E • G# (1 • 3 • #5)
Csus2 C•D•G (1 • 2 • 5)
Csus4 C•F•G (1 • 4 • 5)

Four Note Chords

Cadd9 C•E•G•D (1 • 3 • 5 • 9)
Cadd11 C•E•G•F (1 • 3 • 5 • 11)
Cº7 C • Eb • Gb • Bbb (1 • b3 • b5 • bb7)
Csus4add9 C•F•G•D (1 • 4 • 5 • 9)
C6 C•E•G•A (1 • 3 • 5 • 6)
C6+11 (no 3rd) C • G • A • Gb (1 • 5 • 6 • #11)
Cmadd9 C • Eb • G • D (1 • b3 • 5 • 9)
Cm6 C • Eb • G • A (1 • b3 • 5 • 6)
Cm(maj7) C • Eb • G • B (1 • b3 • 5 • 7)
C7 C • E • G • Bb (1 • 3 • 5 • b7)
C7-5 C • E • Gb • Bb (1 • 3 • b5 • b7)
C7+5 C • E • G# • Bb (1 • 3 • #5 • b7)
C7sus2 C • D • G • Bb (1 • 2 • 5 • b7)
C7sus4 C • F • G • Bb (1 • 4 • 5 • b7)
Cm7 C • Eb • G • Bb (1 • b3 • 5 • b7)
Cm7-5 C • Eb • Gb • Bb (1 • b3 • b5 • b7)
Cmaj7 C•E•G•B (1 • 3 • 5 • 7)
Cmaj7-5 C • E • Gb • B (1 • 3 • b5 • 7)
Cmaj7+5 C • E • G# • B (1 • 3 • #5 • 7)

Five Note Chords

Cadd9/11 C•E•G•D•F (1 • 3 • 5 • 9 • 11)
C6add9 C• E• G• A• D (1 • 3 • 5 • 6 • 9)
Cm6add9 C • Eb • G • A • D (1 • b3 • 5 • 6 • 9)
Cm(maj9) C • Eb • G • B • D (1 • b3 • 5 • 7 • 9)
C7add11 C • E • G • Bb • F (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 11)
C7add13 C • E • G • Bb • A (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 13)
C7-5-9 C • E • Gb • Bb • Db (1 • 3 • b5 • b7 • b9)
C7-5+9 C • E • Gb • Bb • D# (1 • 3 • b5 • b7 • #9)
C7+5-9 C • E • G# • Bb • Db (1 • 3 • #5 • b7 • b9)
C7+5+9 C • E • G# • Bb • D# (1 • 3 • #5 • b7 • #9)
C7-9 C • E • G • Bb • Db (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • b9)
C7+9 C • E • G • Bb • D# (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • #9)
C7+11 C • E • G • Bb • F# (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • #11)
C7-13 C • E • G • Bb • Ab (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • b13)
C7susb9 C • F • G • Bb • Db (1 • 4 • 5 • b7 • b9)
Cm7add11 C • Eb • G • Bb • F (1 • b3 • 5 • b7 • 11)
Cm7-5-9 C • Eb • Gb • Bb • Db (1 • b3 • b5 • b7 • b9)
Cm7-9 C • Eb • G • Bb • Db (1 • b3 • 5 • b7 • b9)
C9 C • E • G • Bb • D (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9)
C9-5 C • E • Gb • Bb • D (1 • 3 • b5 • b7 • 9)
C9+5 C • E • G# • Bb • D (1 • 3 • #5 • b7 • 9)
C9+11 C • E • G • Bb • D • F# (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • #11)
C9sus4 C • F • G • Bb • D (1 • 4 • 5 • b7 • 9)
Cm9 C • Eb • G • Bb • D (1 • b3 • 5 • b7 • 9)
Cm9-5 C • Eb • Gb • Bb • D (1 • b3 • b5 • b7 • 9)
Cmaj7+11 C • E • G • B • F# (1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • #11)
Cmaj9 C•E•G•B•D (1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9)
Cmaj9-5 C • E • Gb • B • D (1 • 3 • b5 • 7 • 9)
Cmaj9+5 C • E • G# • B • D (1 • 3 • #5 • 7 • 9)

Six Note Chords

C9-13 C • E • G • Bb • D • Ab (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • b13)
Cmaj9add6 C• E• G• A• B• D (1 • 3 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 9)
Cmaj9+11 C • E • G • B • D • F# (1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 • #11)
C11 C • E • G • Bb • D • F (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • 11)
C11-9 C • E • G • Bb • Db • F (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • b9 • 11)
Cm11 C • Eb • G • Bb • D • F (1 • b3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • 11)
Cmaj11 C•E•G•B•D•F (1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 11)

Seven Note Chords

C9+11-13 C • E • G • Bb • D • F# • Ab (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • #11 • b13)
C13 C • E • G • Bb • D • F • A (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • 11 • 13)
C13+11 C • E • G • Bb • D • F# • A (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • #11 • 13)
C13+9 C • E • G • Bb • D# • F • A (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • #9 • 11 • 13)
C13-5-9 C • E • Gb • Bb • Db • F • A (1 • 3 • b5 • b7 • b9 • 11 • 13)
C13-9 C • E • G • Bb • Db • F • A (1 • 3 • 5 • b7 • b9 • 11 • 13)
C13sus4 C • F • G • Bb • D • F • A (1 • 4 • 5 • b7 • 9 • 11 • 13)
Cm13 C • Eb • G • Bb • D • F • A (1 • b3 • 5 • b7 • 9 • 11 • 13)
Cmaj13 C•E•G•B•D•F•A (1 • 3 • 5 • 7 • 9 • 11 • 13)

Notes
Technically a chord must have three or more notes, but for the sake of this guide, the chords C4
and C5 are treated as two-note chords. Eleventh chords often omit the 3rd and thirteenth chords
often omit the 11th.
FRETTED INSTRUMENT TUNINGS
INSTRUMENT LOW TO HIGH TUNING COURSES
ANDYLIN F•C•G•C Double
ARCH MANDORE C•G•C•G•C Single
ARCH MANDORE C•F•C•F•C Single
ARCHLUTE F•G•A•B•C•D•E•F•G
C•F•A •D•G Single & Double
BAGLAMA - Greek D•A•D Double
BAJO QUINTO A•D•G•C•F Double
BAJO SEXTO E•A•D•G•C•F Double
BAJO SEXTO - Mexican E•A•D•G•B•E Double
BALALAIKA - Alto E•E•A Single
BALALAIKA - Bass E•A•D Single
BALALAIKA - Contrabass E•A•D Single
BALALAIKA - Piccolo E•E•A Single
BALALAIKA - Prima E•E•A Single
BANDOLA - Oriental G•D•A•E Double
BANDOLA - Columbian F# • B • E • A • D • G Double
BANDOLA LLANERA A • D • F# • B Single
BANDOLETA G•D•A•E Double
BANDOLIM G•D•A•E Double
BANDOLIN G•C•E•A•E Double
BANDOLINETA C•G•D•A Double
BANDOLONCELO G•D•A•E Double
BANDORA - 6 Course C•D•G•C•E•A Single
BANDORA - 7 Course G•C•D•G•C•E•A Single
BANDURRIA - Standard tuning G# • C# • F# • B • E • A Double
BANDURRIA G•B•E•A•D•G Double
BANJO - Bass E•A•D•G Single
BANJO - 5-String Bluegrass G•D•G•B•D Single
BANJO - 5-String Standard C G•C•G•B•D Single
BANJO - 5-String Seeger Long Scale G • B • E • G# • B Single
BANJO - 5-String A Scale Bluegrass A • E • A • C# • E Single
BANJO - 5-String Pony Short Scale C•G•C•E•G Single
BANJO - Guitar E•A•D•G•B•E Single
BANJO - Guitar 12-String E•A•D•G•B•E Double
BANJO - Irish Tenor G•D•A•E Single
BANJO - Plectrum Standard C•G•B•D Single
BANJO - Plectrum Open G D•G•B•D Single
BANJO - Plectrum Chicago D•G•B•E Single
BANJO - 7-String G•G•C•D•G•B•D Single
BANJO - Tenor Jazz C•G•D•A Single
BANJOLIM G•D•A•E Double
BANJOLIN G•D•A•E Single
BANJO-UKULELE (or Banjolele) C6 G•C•E•A Single
BANJO-UKULELE (or Banjolele) D6 A • D • F# • B Single
BASS GUITAR E•A•D•G Single
BASS GUITAR - 5-String B•E•A•D•G Single
BASS GUITAR - 6-String B•E•A•D•G•C Single
BASS GUITAR - 7-String B•E•A•D•G•C•F Single
BASS GUITAR - 8-String F# • B • E • A • D • G • C • F Single
BASS GUITAR - 12-String B•E•A•D•G•C Double
BIWA - 4-String Chikuzen B • E • F# • B Single
BIWA - 5-String Chikuzen E • B • E • F# • B Single
BIWA - Heike Tuning 1 A•C•E•A Single
BIWA - Heike Tuning 2 A • C# • E • A Single
BIWA - Mekuraso 4 Bridge E•B•E•A Single
BIWA - Mekuraso 5 Bridge B • E • F# • F# Single
BIWA - Mekuraso 6 Bridge Bb • Eb • Bb • Bb Single
BIWA - Nishiki C•G•C•G•G Single
BIWA - Satsuma A•E•A•B Single
BIZZAR (or Guitar-Bouzouki) - Irish G•D•A•D Double
BIZZAR (or Guitar-Bouzouki) - Mandolin G•D•A•D Double
BORDONUA A • D • F# • B • E Double
BOUZOUKI - Greek - 3-String D•A•D Double
BOUZOUKI - Greek - 4-String C•F•A•D Double
BOUZOUKI - Irish - Irish Tuning G•D•A•D Double
BOUZOUKI - Irish - Mandolin Tuning G•D•A•E Double
BOUZOUKI - Irish Bass D•A•E•A Double
BRAGUINHA D•G•B•D Single
CAVAQUINHO - Standard D•G•B•D Single
CAVAQUINHO G•C•E•G Single
CAVAQUINHO G•G•B•D Single
CAVAQUINHO D•G•B•E Single
CELLO - Fretted C•G•D•A Single
CETARONE - 7 course Eb • Bb • F • C • G • D • A Single
CETARONE - 5 course E•B•G•D•E Single
CETERA C•D•E•F•G•G•D•G Double
CHARANGO G•C•E•A•E Double
CHARANGO - Quircuincho G•C•E•A•E Double
CHARANGO - Ranka G•C•G•A•D•G Single & Double
CHARANGON C•F•A•D•A Double
CHAR ANGON D•G•B•E•B Double
CHILLADOR D•G•B•E•C Double
CHIN CHIN (or qinqin)
CHITARRA BATTENTE A•D•G•B•E Single or Dbl.
CITTERN - Celtic Long Scale - Irish D•G•D•A•D Double
CITTERN - Celtic Long Scale - Mandolin D•G•D•A•E Double
CITTERN - Celtic Longscale E•A•E•A•E Double
CITTERN - Celtic Short Scale G•D•A•E•A Double
CITTERN - Celtic Short Scale G•D•A•D•A Double
CITTERN - Celtic Short Scale A•D•A•D•A Double
CITTERN - Virchi (1574) D•F•B•G•D•E Single
CUATRO - Puerto Rican B•E•A•D•G Double
CUATRO - Venezuelan 4-String A • D • F# • B Single
CUATRO - Venezuelan 5-String A • A • D • F# • B Single
CUMBUS A•B•E•A•D•G Double
CYTOLE D•G•B•E Single
DAN TYBA G•C•D•G Single
DOBRO (or Resophonic) G•B•D•G•B•D Single
DOMRA - Alto 3-String E•A•D Single
DOMRA - Alto 4-String C•G•D•A Single
DOMRA - Bass 3-String E•A•D Single
DOMRA - Bass 4-String C•G•D•A Single
DOMRA - Contrabass E•A•D•G Single
DOMRA - Mezzo-Soprano 3-String B•E•A Single
DOMRA - Piccolo 3-String B•E•A Single
DOMRA - Prima 3-String E•A•D Single
DOMRA - Prima 4-String G•D•A•E Single
DOMRA - Tenor 3-String B•E•A Single
DOMRA - Tenor 4-String G•D•A•E Single
DULCIMER - Mountain - Aeolian Mode C•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Aeolian Mode Bb • G • C Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Aeolian Mode G•E•A Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain Baritone - Mixolydian A•E•A Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain Bass - Mixolydian D•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Chromatic D • F# • A • D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Dorian Mode G•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Dorian Mode F•G•C Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Dorian Mode A•B•E Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Dorian of A Mode D•A•A Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Ionian A•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Ionian G•G•C Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Ionian 4-string D•D•D•G Single
DULCIMER - Mountain - Ionian of C Mode G•E•C Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Ionian (Reverse) D•G•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Jazz DG • A • D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Jazz DG • G • D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Locrian Mode A • G# • C# Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Lydian Mode D•G•C Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Lydian Mode C • F • Bb Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Lydian Mode E•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Mixolydian Mode A•E•A Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Mixolydian Mode D•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Mixolydian Mode G•D•G Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Mixolydian of A A•A•A Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Phrygian Mode Bb • D • G Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Phrygian Mode F•A•D Single & Double
DULCIMER - Mountain - Phrygian Mode Eb • G • C Single & Double
ENGLISH GUITTAR (or English Guitar) C•E•G•C•E•G Double
GHITA (or Dan Ghita, Luc Huyen Cam) C•F•C•G•C Single
GUITAR - Baritone - 5th Below Standard A•D•G•C•E•A Single
GUITAR - Baritone - 4th Below Standard B • E • A • D • F# • B Single
GUITAR - Blues E•A•D•G•C•F Single
GUITAR - Classical 10-String F# • G# • Bb • C • E • A •
D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Classical 10-String Lute Style A•B•C•D•E•A•D•
G•B•E Single
GUITAR - ‘DADGAD’ D•A•D•G•A•D Single
GUITAR - Double Drop D D•A•D•G•B•D Single
GUITAR - Drop D D•A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Lute E • A • D • F# • B • E Single
GUITAR - Mid 1500’s - 5-String D•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Mid 1500’s - 5-String A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Mid 1500’s - 4-String D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Octave E•A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Open A E • A • E • A • C# • E Single
GUITAR - Open A Minor E•A•E•A•C•E Single
GUITAR - Open Bb D • Bb • D • F • Bb • D Single
GUITAR - Open C C•G•C•G•C•E Single
GUITAR - Open D D • A • D • F# • A • D Single
GUITAR - Open D Minor D • A • D • F# • A • D Single
GUITAR - Open E E • B • E • G# • B • E Single
GUITAR - Open F F•A•C•A•C•F Single
GUITAR - Open G D•G•D•G•B•D Single
GUITAR - Raga D•A•D•A•A•D Single
GUITAR - Rev. Gary Davis Bottleneck D • A • D • F# • A • B Single
GUITAR - 7-String B•E•A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - 7-String Russian D•G•B•D•G•B•D Single
GUITAR - Skip James Open E Minor E•B•E•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Stephen Stills D E•A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Standard Tuning E•A•D•G•B•E Single
GUITAR - Tenor C•G•D•A Single
GUITAR - Tenor Irish G•D•A•E Single
GUITAR - Tenor Irish - Irish Tuning G•D•A•D Single
GUITAR - Terz G • C • F • Bb • D • G Single
GUITAR - 12-String E•A•D•G•B•E Double
GUITARRA COLORADA D•G•C•E•A Single
GUITARRA DE GOLPE D•G•C•E•A Single
GUITARRA DE SON G•A•D•G Single
GUITARRA DE SON C•D•G•C Single
GUITARRA DE SON A•B•E•A Single
GUITARRO B • F# • D • A • E Single & Double
GUITARRÓN A•D•G•C•E•A Single
GUITARRÓN CHILENO F# • A • D • G • C • E • A • Single, Triple &
G•B Quadruple
GUITTERN A•D•G•B•E Single
HALSZITHER G•D•G•B•D Double
HUAPANGUERA G•D•G•B•E Single
HUMMEL F•F•C•C•C•B Single & Double
JARANA HUASTECA G•D•G•B•E Single
JARANA HUASTECA G • B • D • F# • A Single
JARANA JAROCHA A•D•G•B•E Single
JARANA MOSQUITO D•G•B•E•C Single
JARANA PRIMERA D•G•B•E•C Single
JARANA SEGUNDA G•A•E•C•G Single
JARANA TERCERA A•D•G•B•E Single
KABOSI D•G•G•A Double
KOBZA (or Cobza) - 4-String D•A•D•G Single
LAOUTO (or Laghouto) C•G•D•A Double
LAUD - Bass E•A•D•G Single
LAUD - Contralto G • C# • F# • B • E • A Double
LAUD - Laudon (or Big Laud) C • F# • B • E • A • D • G Single & Double
LAUD - Filipino Tuning F# • B • E • A • D • G Double
LAUD - Tenor Standard Spanish Tuning G# • C# • F# • B • E • A Double
LAUD - Tenor Standard Tuning A • D • G • C • F • Bb Double
LAVTA C•G•D•A Double
LEON G•A•D•G Single
LIUQIN G•D•G•D Single
LUTE - 6-Course Accord Nouveau 17th C. A•D•F•A•D•F Double
LUTE - 6-Course Flat Tuning G • C • F • Ab • C • Eb Double
LUTE - 6-Course New Alto (Virdung 1500) G•C•F•A•D•G Double
LUTE - 8-Course New Descant E# • B • A • D • G • C# • E • A Double
LUTE - 8-Course Old Descant E# • B • A • D • G • C# • E# • A Double
MANDOBASS E•A•D•G Single
MANDOCELLO C•G•D•A Double
MANDOLA - Tenor C•G•D•A Double
MANDOLIN G•D•A•E Double
MANDOLIN - Banjo G•D•A•E Double
MANDOLIN - 5-String/5-Course C•G•D•A•E Single or Dbl.
MANDOLIN - Guitar E•A•D•G•B•E Single
MANDOLIN - Guitar 12-String E•A•D•G•B•E Double
MANDOLIN - Octave (or Octave Mandola) G•D•A•E Double
MANDOLIN - Piccolo C•G•D•A Double
MANDOLINO LOMBARDO G•B•E•A•D•G Single
MANDORA - 5-Course C•G•C•G•C Double
MANDORA - 5-Course C•F•C•F•C Double
MANDORA - 4-Course G•D•G•D Double
MANDRIOLA G•D•A•E Triple
MAULINCHO (or Walaycho) D•G•B•E•B Double
MEJORANA D•A•A•B•E Single
MEJORANA D•G•G•B•E Single
OCTAVINA F# • B • E • A • D • G Single & Double
ORPHARION G•C•F•A•D•G Double
PANDURINA G•D•G•D Double
PIPA A•D•E•A Single
PORTUGUESE GUITARRA - de Coimbra C•G•A•D•G•A Double
PORTUGUESE GUITARRA - de Lisboa D•A•B•E•A•B Double
PORTUGUESE GUITARRA - de Senhora D•A•B•E•A•B Double
PORTUGUESE GUITARRA - de Severa D•A•B•E•A•B Double
RAFFELE A•A•D Single
RAJÃO E • A • D • F# • B Single
RAJÃO D•G•C•E•A Single
RAMKIE C•F•A•C Single
REQUINTO A•D•G•C•E•A Single
REQUINTO - Long Scale G • C • F • Bb • D • G Single
REQUINTO JAROCHO G•A•D•G Single
REQUINTO JAROCHO C•D•G•C Single
REQUINTO JAROCHO A•D•G•C Single
RONROCO (or Ronrroco) G•C•E•A•E Double
RUAN - Alto A•D•A•D Single
RUAN - Alto - Fifths G•D•A•E Single
RUAN - Bass (or Da-Ruan) A•D•A•D Single
RUAN - Bass (or Da-Ruan) - Fifths G•D•A•E Single
RUAN - Soprano G•D•A•E Single
RUAN - Tenor D•A•D•A Single
RUAN - Tenor - Fifths C•G•D•A Single
SAZ - Baglama G•D•A Double
SAZ - Bozuk
SAZ - Cura
SAZ - Cura Baglama (or Tambura)
SAZ - Divan
SAZ - Meydan
SAZ G•D•A Double
SAZ C•G•C Double
SAZ E•D•A Double
SAZ D•G•C Double
SAZ C•F•C Double
SEIS - Puerto Rican F# • B • E • A • D • G Double
SEIS - Venezuelan D•F•C•E•A•D Single
SITAR C•C•G•C•G•C•F Single
SOCAVON (or Bocona) G•D•A•B Single
STEEL GUITAR - 8-String A6 F# • A • C# • E • F# • A • C# • E Single
STEEL GUITAR - Hawaiian 8-String E • F# • A • C# • E • A • C# Single
STEEL GUITAR - Hawaiian 7-String C • E • A • E •A • C# • E Single
STEEL GUITAR - Hawaiian 6-String E • A • E • A • C# • E Single
STEEL GUITAR - Hawaiian 6-String G•B•D•G•B•D Single
STEEL GUITAR - Hawaiian 6-String G • B • D • F# • B • D Single
STEEL GUITAR - 6-String E7th B • D • E • G# • B • E Single
STEEL GUITAR - 6-String E7th E • D • D • G# • B • E Single
STRUMSTICK G•D•G Single
STRUMSTICK - Alto C•G•C Single
STRUMSTICK - Alto A•E•A Single
STRUMSTICK - Chromatic 3-String C•G•C Single
STRUMSTICK - Chromatic 4-String C•G•D•A Single
STRUMSTICK - Grand D•A•D Single
STRUMSTICK - Grand C•G•C Single
STRUMSTICK - Grand E•A•E Single
STRUMSTICK - Long Scale C•G•C Single
STRUMSTICK - Ukulele G•C•E•A Single
TAMBURA - Bulgarian D•G•B•E Double
TAMBURITZA - Berde E•A•D•G Single
TAMBURITZA - Brac (or Basprim) E•A•D•G Single
TAMBURITZA - Bugarija (or Kontra) G•B•D•G Single & Double
TAMBURITZA - Celo E•A•D•G Single
TAMBURITZA - Prim (or Bisernica) E•A•D•G Single
TAR - Persian or Modern Iranian D•A•D Double
TAR - Persian or Modern Iranian C•G•C Double
TARO PATCH (or Taropatch) G•C•E•A Double
THEORBO F•G•A•B•C•D•E•F•
G•C•F•A•D•G Single & Double
TIMPLE - 4-String C•E•A•D Single
TIMPLE - 5-String G•C•E•A•D Single
TIPLE - Argentine G•A•D•G•B•E Double
TIPLE - Chilean D•G•B•E Triple
TIPLE - Colombian D•G•B•E Triple
TIPLE - Martin A • D • F# • B Double & Triple
TIPLE - Venezuelan D•G•B•E Triple
TIPLE DOLIENTE E•A•D•G•C Single
TRES CUBANO - Open C G•C•E Double
TRES CUBANO - Open D A • D • F# Double
TRES CUBANO - Open E Minor G•B•E Double
TRES CUBANO - Open D Minor F•D•A Double
TRICORDIA G•D•A•E Triple
UKULELE - Akulele Sopranino D•G•B•E Single
UKULELE - Akulele Soprano G•C•E•A Single
UKULELE - Baritone D•G•B•E Single
UKULELE - Concert G•C•E•A Single
UKULELE - Soprano C6 G•C•E•A Single
UKULELE - Soprano D6 A • D • F# • B Single
UKULELE - Tenor G•C•E•A Single
VIHUELA A•D•G•B•E Single
VIHUELA DE MANO G•C•F•A•D•G Single
VIHUELA DE MANO C • F • Bb • A • D • G Single
VIOLA - Fretted C•G•D•A Single
VIOLA AMARANTINA D•A•B•E•A Double
VIOLA BEIROA D•A•D•G•B•D Double
VIOLA CAIPIRA A • D • F# • A • D Double
VIOLA CAMPANIÇA C•F•C•E•G Double
VIOLA DA GAMBA - Bass D•G•C•E•A Single
VIOLA DA GAMBA - Pardessus G•C•E•A•D•G Single
VIOLA DA GAMBA - Tenor G•C•F•A•D•G Single
VIOLA DA GAMBA - Treble D•G•C•E•A•D Single
VIOLA DA MADEIRA (or Viola de Arame) G•D•G•B•D Single & Double
VIOLA DA TERRA A•D•G•B•D Double & Triple
VIOLA DE ARAME (or Viola da Madeira) G•D•G•B•D Single & Double
VIOLA DE BRAGUESA (or Braguesa Guitar) C•G•A•D•G Double
VIOLA DE BRAGUESA - alternative A•D•G•B•E Double
VIOLA DE BRAGUESA - alternative D•A•B•E•A Double
VIOLA DE BRAGUESA - alternative E•A•D•G•B Double
VIOLA DE COCHO D•A•B•E•A Single
VIOLA DE COCHO G•D•E•A•D Single
VIOLA DE COCHO G•C•E•A•D Single
VIOLA DE TERCEIRA - 15-String E•A•D•G•B•E Double & Triple
VIOLA DE TERCEIRA - 18-String E•A•D•G•B•E Double & Triple
VIOLA DE DIZ CORDAS (or 10-Sting Gtr.) D•G•B•E Double
VIOLA SERTANEJA A • D • F# • A • D Double
VIOLA TOEIRA - 12-String A•D•G•B•E Double & Triple
VIOLA TOEIRA - 15-String A•D•G•B•E Double & Triple
VIOLÃO (or Viola Francesa) E•A•D•G•B•E Single
VIOLÃO - Brazil A•D•G•B•E Single
VIOLÃO DE SETE CORDAS B•E•A•D•G•B•E Single
VIOLIN - Fretted G•D•A•E Single
WALAYCHO (or Hualaycho, Waylacho) D•G•B•E•B Double
WALDZITHER - Octave Higher Open G G•D•G•B•D Single & Double
WALDZITHER - Open G G•D•G•B•D Single & Double
WALDZITHER - Standard Open C C•G•C•E•G Single & Double
YUEQIN G•D•G•D Single or Dbl.

FRETLESS INSTRUMENT TUNINGS

INSTRUMENT LOW TO HIGH TUNING COURSES
DOUBLE BASS E•A•D•G Single
CELLO (or violincello) C•G•D•A Single
HURDY-GURDY A•A•G•C Single & Double
NEVUD (or New Oud) C# • F# • B • E • A • D Double
OUD - Arabic (popular) D•G•A•D•G•C Single
OUD - Arabic (maqarmat) C•F•A•D•G•C Single
OUD - Arabic (Iraqi) C•D•G•C•F•F Single
OUD - Arabic (Iraqi alternative) D•E•A•D•G•G Single
OUD- Armenian E•A•B•E•A•D Single
OUD - Turkish A•D•E•A•D•G Single
OUD - Turkish (alternative) F# • B • E • A • D • G Single
VIOLA C•G•D•A Single
VIOLIN G•D•A•E Single
TERM DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE

a for, at, in, etc Italian

a capella for choral music without accompaniment Italian
a capriccio in a humorous manner Italian
a due in two parts Italian
a piacera at pleasure; same as ad libitum Italian
a punto d’arco with the point of the bow Italian
a tempo in time or return to normal time Italian
abellimenti ornaments Italian
aber but German
accelerando (accel.) quickening Italian
achtel quaver German
acciaccatura crushing; violent pressure Italian
accidental a sharp, double sharp, flat, double flat or
natural English
acoustic(s) sound, the theory and study there of English
ad libitum at the musician’s pleasure Latin
adjustable bridge a bridge on a stringed instrument where the
height and position of the strings can be
altered. Some can be individually adjusted English
affectuoso affectionate, with tender warmth Italian
agitato agitated, excited, restless Italian
agréments ornaments French
ais A sharp German
aisis double A sharp German
akustische acoustic German
al fine to the end Italian
alicate para torcer cordas string winding device for making loops on
Portuguese guitarra strings. The guitarra
unusually requires loops on both ends of the
strings. Generally abbreviated to alicates Portuguese
all’ unisono in unison Italian
alla in the style of Italian
alla breve the half note rather than the quarter note
takes the beat Italian
alla zoppa in a limping manner Italian
allargando growing broader Italian
allegretto moderately quickly; slower than allegro Italian
allegro lively Italian
allentando slowing down Italian
altflöte bass flute German
alto viola French
am griffbrett play on or near on the fingerboard German
amabile sweet, amiable, lovable Italian
amoroso loving Italian
ancora again Italian
andante moderate tempo; at walking pace Italian
andantino slightly faster than andante Italian
animando becoming animated Italian
animato animated Italian
a piacere at the performer’s discretion Italian
appassionato impassioned Italian
appoggiatura leaning Italian
arco with the bow Italian
arioso a short solo in the style of an air Italian
arpa harp Italian
arpeggio the notes of a chord are played in
succession rather than simultaneously Italian
as A flat German
ases A double flat German
assai very Italian
attacca attack; without a break Italian
au talon with the nut or heel of the bow German
aubade morning music as opposed to serenade French
ausdruckswoll with expression German
B flat bass (Bb flat) lowest member of the tuba family English
back the back of stringed instruments. These can
be flat, rounded or bowl shaped English
bagatelle short piece; light and humorous French
ballo dance Italian
bar (or bar-line) a vertical line drawn across a musical stave
creating logical subdivisions English
barytonhorn euphonium German
bass clarinet pitched an octave lower than a standard
clarinet English
bass flute member of the flute family pitched a fourth
below a standard flute English
basset horn alto member of the clarinet family English
bassethorn basset horn German
bassklarinette bass clarinet German
basson bassoon French
bassoon double reeded lower pitched member of the
woodwind family English
be flat German
bécarre natural (accidental) French
bémol flat French
bemolle flat Italian
ben, bene well Italian
bequando natural (accidental) Italian
beruhigen to calm, to quiet German
bewegt moved; animated German
bewegter more agitated German
bien very, well French
bindung slur or tie German
bis twice or to be played twice French
biscroma demisemiquaver Italian
blockflöte recorder German
body the resonating chamber of stringed
instruments English
bogen bow German
bottleneck a hollow metal tube that slips over a finger on
 the left hand and is used for sliding from note
to note on a guitar. Used in blues and rock English
bottom block internal construction element on the bottom
of the body of stringed instruments English
bund fret on a lute etc. German
brace vertical line joining two or more staves
together English
bracing strips of wood glued to the internal top and
back of stringed instruments, providing
rigidity and different acoustics according to
the configuration English
bratsche viola German
breve note value equal to eight crochets. No longer
used. Latin for ‘short’ Latin
bridge pins generally plastic removable pegs holding the
ball-ends of metal strings in place on guitars English
brillante with brilliance or vivacity Italian
bugle valve or keyless member of the brass family
generally used to give military signals English
bugle à clefs the keyed bugle French
cadence harmonic progression suggesting a
musical conclusion Latin
cadence trill French
cadenza a passage for solo instrument in free,
improvisatory style Italian
calando diminishing in dynamic and speed Italian
cambiare to change Italian
cambiata changed note Italian
cantabile in singable style Italian
cantata to be sung as opposed to sonata; to be
played Italian
capotasto removeable bar for use on the fretboard of a
fretted instrument to change key Italian
cédez go a little slower French
ces C flat German
ceses C double flat German
chanson song French
chevalet bridge on a stringed instrument French
chitarra guitar Italian
chiuso stopped, in horn playing Italian
chord three or more notes sounded together English
clarinet single reeded member of the woodwind
family English
clarinete clarinet Spanish
clarinette clarinet French
clarinette basse bass clarinet French
clarinetto clarinet Italian
clarinetto basso (clarone) bass clarinet Italian
coda concluding section in a piece of music Italian
col, colla with the Italian
coll’ arco with the bow Italian
come like French
come like, as Italian
common time four crotchets in a bar or 4/4 time English
comodo comfortable, easy. Not to fast or slow Italian
compound time time where each beat in the bar is
divisible by three English
con with... Italian
con brio with brilliance or vivacity Italian
con dolore with sorrow Italian
con forza with force or strength Italian
con fuoco with fire Italian
con giusto with taste, fitting mood and tempo Italian
con passione with passion Italian
con sordino with mute Italian
con spirito with spirit Italian
concert pitch standard international pitch English
concitato agitated Italian
contrabassoon pitched an octave below a standard bassoon English
contrafagotto contrabassoon (double bassoon) Italian
contrebasson contrabassoon (double bassoon) French
contrefagot contrabassoon (double bassoon) Spanish
cor anglais (English horn) lower pitched member of the oboe family French/English
cor de basset basset horn French
corda string Italian
corde string French
corde à vide open string French
cornet member of the valved brass family of
instruments generally found in military bands English
corneta cornet Italian
cornet à pistons (piston) cornet French
corno di bassetto basset horn Italian
corno inglés cor anglais (English horn) Spanish
corno inglese cor anglais (English horn) Italian
coro chorus or choir Italian
corona pause sign placed over a note in the shape
of a crown Italian/Latin
counterpoint two or more parts played against each other
creating a harmonius musical structure English
crescendo increasing in volume Italian
croche quaver French
croma quaver Italian
crotchet note value equal to a fourth of a semibreve English
coulé slide French
cutaway a section of body that has been sculpted to
make access easier to the higher frets on
guitars English
da capo go back to the beginning Italian
daher from there German
dal from the Italian
dal segno (or D.S.) go back to a point in the music marked by
the sign D.S. Italian
dämpfer mute German
decrescendo gradually get softer Italian
deciso with decision Italian
delicato delicately Italian
détaché detached French
demisemiquaver value equal to half a semiquaver or a thirty-
second part of a semibreve
demitone semitone French
des D flat German
deses D double flat German
dessus treble French
dièse sharp French
diesis sharp Italian
di molto extremely.. Italian
diminuendo getting softer Italian
dis D sharp German
disis D double sharp German
diskant soprano, treble German
do first note of the major scale (C) Italian
doh first note of the major scale (C) English
dolce sweetly Italian
dolente doleful, sorrowful Italian
doloroso sorrowful Italian
doppio movimento twice as quickly Italian
double bar two vertical lines on a stave indicating the
end of a piece of music English
double croche semiquaver French
doucement gently or sweetly French
doux soft, light French
drängen pressing on German
dreiklang triad German
dringend urgent German
drohend threatening or menacing German
duple time time where the number of beats in a bar is
a multiple of two. 2/4 time etc. English
dur major German
e, ed and Italian
e flat/f bass (Eb/F bass) mid-pitched members of the valved tuba
family of brass instruments English
e poi and then Italian
echoton with an echo French
éclatant sparkling, brilliant French
eighth note quaver American English
eilen to hurry German
einfach simply German
einleiten to lead into German
einleitung introduction German
eis E sharp German
eisis E double sharp German
en dehors outside, emphasized French
en fusée dissolving in French
enchainez link up French
encore again French
englisch horn cor anglais (English horn) German
english horn cor anglais American English
ensemble a group of musicians or singers French
entr’acte music played inbetween the acts of an
opera, musical or play French
entrée Introductory piece of music French
equal temperament the accepted universal western system
where all the semitones are of equal value English
erschütterung a violent shaking, deep emotion German
es E flat German
eses E double flat German
espressivo expressively Italian
estinto barely audible or ‘extinct’ Italian
et and French
etwas somewhat, rather German
euphonium highest pitched member of the tuba family
with four valves English
f hole soundholes found on the body of instruments
including the violin, cello and some guitars English
fa fourth note of the major scale (F) Italian/French
facilimente easily, without strain Italian
fado Portuguese street song Portuguese
fagot bassoon Spanish
fagott bassoon German
fagotto bassoon Italian
fah fourth note of the major scale (F) Italian
feierlich Solemn, exalted German
fermata pause, rest Italian
fermate pause, rest German
feroce ferocious Italian
fes F flat German
fiato breath Italian
fifteenth interval of two octaves English
fife small flute, pitched a little higher than the
piccolo English
figure brief musical phrase English
finale last movement of a work Italian
fine end, close Italian
fingerboard (fretboard) front section on the neck of stringed
instruments where the fingers press the
strings down onto to form notes English
fingerpick/thumbpick metal, plastic or other material slipped the
top of the fingers or thumb to form an
artificial nail for plucking the strings English
fioritura flowering. Embellished Italian
fis F sharp German
fisis F double sharp German
five-three chord basic triad such as C • E • G English
flageolett-töne harmonics German
flat note is lowered by 1 semitone English
flauta dritto recorder Italian
flauta flute Spanish
flauta baja bass flute Spanish
flauta de pico recorder Spanish
flauta dulce recorder Spanish
flauta recta recorder Spanish
flautato (or flautando) harmonics Italian
flautin piccolo Spanish
flauto flute Italian
flauto a becco recorder Italian
flauto dolce recorder Italian
flauto piccolo (or ottavino) piccolo Italian
flautone bass flute Italian
flebile mournful Italian
fleissend flowing German
flöte flute German
flüchtig fleeting, transient German
flügelhorn soprano member of the valved brass saxhorn
family German
flute member of the woodwind family, played
horizontally and built from silver or wood English
flûte flute French
flûte à bec recorder French
flûte alto bass flute French
flûte douce recorder French
flûte droite recorder French
fois times, as in number of French
forte loud Italian
fortissimo very loud Italian
fortspinnung continuation German
forza vigorously Italian
forzando (fz) forcing; strongly accented Italian
frei free German
fret narrow strip of metal or other material on a
fingerboard facilitating the stopping of a
string English
fret markers mother of pearl or plastic markers set into
the fingerboard at varying intervals to
indicate which note the player is fretting English
frog nut of a violin or violin bow American English
frosch, am played at the nut of the bow German
fundamental lowest note in an harmonic sequence English
fuoco fire Italian
furioso furiously Italian
gamme scale French
ganz entirely, altogether German
ganze note semibreve German
ganzton whole tone German
garbato graceful Italian
gebrochen broken German
gedehnt held back German
gedampft muted German
gehalten sustained German
geheimnisvoll mysterious German
gehend move at a moderate speed German
geige violin German
geistlich religious; sacred German
gemächlich comfortable German
gemessen measured German
gemütlich comfortable; easy German
generalpause rest of one or more bars German
ges G flat German
gesangvoll songful. Same as cantabile German
geschlagen struck German
geses G double flat German
gesprochen spoken German
gesteigert intensified German
gestopft stopped note by placing the hand in the bell
of the horn German
gestragen slow and sustained German
gewöhnlich usual, customary German
giocoso merry, playful Italian
gioioso joyful Italian
gis G sharp German
gisis G double sharp German
giusto proper, reasonable, exact Italian
gleichmässig equal, symmetrical German
glissando sliding Italian
grace note a musical ornament written to embellish a
melody English
grandevole pleasing Italian
grandezza grandeur Italian
grandioso grandly Italian
grave solemn and slow Italian
grazioso graceful Italian
grélots sleigh bells French
griffbrett fingerboard or fretboard German
gruppo (or groppo) group Italian
gruppo trill Italian
gruppetto small group Italian
guitare guitar French
guitarre guitar German
h B natural German
halbe minim German
half note minim American English
half step semitone American English
half tone semitone American English
harfe harp German
harmonics soft bell-like tones produced by lightly
touching the strings at certain points on the
fingerboard English
harpe harp French
hauptstimme most important voice in the phrase German
halbe half German
halbton semitone German
halt stop, hold German
harmony the relationship and structure of chords English
hauptzeitmass original tempo German
hautbois oboe French
hautbois d’amour oboe d’amore French
haut-dessus soprano French
haut-contre alto French
headstock the upper part of stringed instruments
housing the tuners English
heel part of a stringed instrument where the neck
joins the body. Situated at the back. English
heftiger more passionate, violent German
heiter cheerful German
hemidemisemiquaver note value of two hemidemisemiquavers to
a demisemiquaver or sixteen to every
crotchet English
heptachord scale of seven notes Greek
hervorgehoben emphasised German
hervortretend prominently German
hexachord scale of six notes Greek
hörbar audible German
il, la the Italian
immer always German
impetuoso in an energetic manner Italian
innig heartfelt; quietly intense German
intavolatura tablature Italian
intonation accuracy of pitch on an instrument English
inversion changing the order of the notes in a chord.
i.e. the chord of C major would change from
C • E • G to E • G • C English
jack socket an input found on electric and electronic
instruments such as the guitar or synthesizer
for plugging in a lead to feed directly to an
amplifier, mixing desk or recording device English
key note first note of a scale or key English
key signature sharps or flats placed at the start of a piece
of music, dictating the key English
klang sound, sonority German
klangvoll sonorous, full-sounding German
klarinette clarinet German
klavier keyboard German
kleine flöte piccolo German
klingen lassen allow to sound German
kontrabass (kontrabaß) double bass German
kontrafagott contrabassoon (double bassoon) German
konzert concert German
kornett cornet German
kräftig strong, forceful, vigorous German
kreuz sharp German
kurz short German
la sixth note of the major scale (A) Italian/Italian
lacrimoso tearfully, sad Italian
lah sixth note of the major scale (A) English
laissez vibrer let vibrate French
lamentoso in a mournful style Italian
langsam slow German
largamente in a dignified manner, broadly Italian
larghetto slow and broad, but less so than largo Italian
largo slow and broad Italian
leading-note seventh note in a scale. For example in the
scale of C major English
lebhaft lively German
legato smoothly Italian
legatissimo smooth as possible Italian
legatura slur or tie Italian
légature slur or tie French
leger lines (or ledger l.) shortened lines above or below a musical
stave indicating the pitch of the notes English
légèrement Lightly French
leggiero Light
leicht Lightly German
leidenschaftlich passionate German
leier hurdy-gurdy German
leise soft, gentle German
leiser softer German
leitton leading note German
lent slow French
lentement slowly French
lento slow Italian
liason tie French
libretto text or book of an opera or musical Italian
licenza licence, freedom Italian
lié tied French
liebesoboe oboe d’amore German
lied song German
liederbuch songbook German
liniensystem stave or staff German
loco in the normal place Italian
lontano distant Italian
lower bout the widest section, near the bottom of an
instrument like a guitar. This generates the
lowest frequencies (or more bass) English
luftpause breathing rest German
lunga pausa long pause or rest Italian
lusingando alluring, flattering Italian
lustig merry, cheerful German
ma but Italian
machine heads the metal geared tuners found on guitars
 and some other instruments English
maestoso majestic, dignified Italian
main hand (droite right; gauche left) French
majeur major French
mancando dying away Italian
manieren ornaments German
marcato emphasized Italian
marcia march Italian
marqué marked, with emphasis French
marsch march German
martellato hammered stroke played with very short
bows at the point Italian
marziale martial, war-like Italian
mässig moderate German
me third note of the major scale (E) English
measure bar American English
medesimo tempo in the same tempo Italian
mehr more German
mélodie melody French
meno less Italian
meno mosso less movement, slower Italian
menuet minuet French
Menuett minuet German
messa di voce placing of the voice Italian
mesto mournful, sad Italian
metronome mechanical or electronic device for keeping
time English
mezzo half Italian
mi third note of the major scale (E) Italian
microtones intervals between semitones English
middle C Reference point for the piano found in the
approximate middle of the keyboard English
minacciando in a menacing manner Italian
minaccevole alternative name for minacciando Italian
minuet French dance in 3/4 time French
misterioso mysteriously Italian
mit with German
moderato moderate speed Italian
modéré moderate speed French
modulation change of key English
moll minor German
molto much, very Italian
monter to tune up to the correct pitch French
morendo dying away and becoming slower Italian
mosso lively Italian
moto motion Italian
mouvement time, speed French
movimento speed Italian
musicology study of musical composition and history English
nach in the manner of German
nachdruck emphasis German
nachgehend following
nachlassend relaxing
natural a note that isn’t sharp or flat English
neben secondary German
nebenstimme the second most important voice in the
phrase German
neck part of a stringed instrument housing the
fingerboard English
nehmen to take German
neue new German
nicht non, not German
niente reduce the tone of the instrument to a near
whisper. Nothing Italian
nobilimente nobly Italian
noch still, yet German
nocturne night piece English
noël Christmas carol French
noire crotchet or quarter-note French
non not Italian
notation written music English
noter a little wooden stick used by mountain
dulcimer players to slide up and down the
fingerboard to form notes and chords English
notturno night piece Italian
nut strip of ivory or composite material found at
the headstock end of stringed instruments
used to raise the strings above the f’board English
nut part of the bow held by the player English
oboe double reeded member of the woodwind
family English
oboe d’amore a member of the oboe family. Larger than a
regular oboe, with a pear-shaped bell Italian/English
oboe de amor oboe d’amore Spanish
octet composition for eight musicians English
ohne without German
obbligato essential, obligatory Italian
octave interval between the first or root note and
the eighth note on the diatonic scale English
oeuvre opus or work French
ohne without German
oktave octave German
ondulé unduLating French
open notes notes played without applying pressure to
strings on the fingerboard English
open string a string that isn’t fretted with the fingers of
the left hand English
opus work or piece of music Latin
ornaments added embellishments applied to music
either extemporaneously or by design English
ossia or. A simplified passage Italian
ostinato a repeated musical passage Italian
ôtez (or ôter) remove (for example, a mute) French
ottava octave Italian
ouverture overture French
overture introductory piece to an orchestral work English
parlando singing in speaking style Italian
parlante singing in speaking style Italian
parte voice-part Italian
partition score French
partitur score German
partitura score Italian
pateticamente pathetically Italian
pausa pause, rest Italian
pause pause, rest English
pause silence French/German
pegs tuning pegs found on certain types of stringed
instruments including violins and lutes English
pentatonic scale a scale with five notes to the octave English
perdendosi dying away and becoming slower Italian
perfect intervals of the octave, fifth and fourth. These
are called perfect consonances English
pesante heavy, weighting, ponderos Italian
petite flûte piccolo French
peu little French
phantasie fantasy German
piacere pleasure Italian
piacevole agreeable Italian
piangendo crying or in a plaintive manner Italian
piangevole plaintively Italian
pianissimo very soft Italian
piano soft Italiam
piccolo higher pitched member of the flute family English
pick (or picking) playing a succession of independent notes
with the right hand in a rhythmical fashion on
many types of stringed instrument English
pickguard alternative name for the scratchplate English
pick-up a magnetic device that interacts with a metal
string producing a specific tone through
an amplifier. A guitar can have as many as
3 or 4 pickups, each producing a different
tonal range (bass, middle, treble etc.) English
pieno full Italian
pietoso compassionate, sympathetic Italian
pitch pipes a set of four or six little pipes that produce a
set note from each pipe. This is used to tune
instruments such as the guitar or mandolin English
più more Italian
piuttosto faster, rather Italian
pizzicato plucked Italian
placidamente peacefully Italian
plectrum (or pick) small piece of plastic, wood, ivory or horn
held between the fingers for plucking the
 strings. English
plötzlich suddenly German
plus more French
pochettino very little, very lightly Italian
pochetto very little Italian
poco little, a little, slightly Italian
poco a poco little by little Italian
poi then Italian
point end of the bow English
point d’orgue pause, rest French
pointé instruction that notes of equal length should
be played in an inequal manner French
pomposo pompous Italian
ponticello bridge on a stringed instrument German
port de voix portamento French
portamento gliding from one note to the next Italian
portée stave or staff French
posaune trombone German
postlude closing piece of music English
poussez quick the tempo French
praeludium prelude Latin
precipitato (precipitoso) impetuously Italian
presto lively, fastest speed in normal use Italian
prestissimo fastest possible speed of which the player
capable Italian
prima first Italian
pult a shared music stand by two players.
Called a desk German
punta d’arco point of the bow Italian
purfling decorative binding around the outside of the
body of most stringed instruments English
quadruple croche hemidemisemiquaver French
quarter-note crotchet American English
quarter tone half a semitone English
quartet composition for four performers English
quartett quartet German
quartetto quartet Italian
quartuor quartet French
quasi almost, nearly Italian
quaver note value of eight quavers to a semibreve
or two to one crotchet English
querstand false relation German
quintet composition for five performers English
quintett quintet German
quintette (or quintuor) quintet French
quintsaite name for the E or first string of the violin German
rabbia rage Italian
raddappiamento doubling Italian
rallentando (rall.) gradually slowing down Italian
ranks two strings tuned to the same note. Usually
referring to members of the lute family English
rasch quick German
ray second note of the major scale (D) English
re second note of the major scale (D) Italian/French
récit (or récitatif) recitative French
recital performance by two performers English
recitative singing in the form of dramatic speech English
recitativo recitative Italian
recorder family of five end blown flutes of the
woodwind family (sopranino, descant, treble,
tenor and bass) English
recueilli mediative, collected French
reduction simplified arrangement of a piece of music English
réduction reduction French
refrain a repeating theme or chorus English
réjouissance enjoyment French
related the harmonic relationship between one key
and another English
repeat a section of music to be repeated indicated
by two vertical lines followed by two vertical
dots. At the end of a passage these are
reversed English
répétition rehearsal French
religioso with devotion Italian
replica repeat Italian
reprise repeat. Often used to indicate a repetition
of a leading theme or tune English
resonance the tonal vibrations of one body in another
body English
rest a silence English
retenu held back, in relation to speed French
rezitativ (sprechgesang) recitative German
rhapsody instrumental piece reflecting heroic or
national pride English
rhythm the tempo and structure indicating the flow
of a piece of music English
ribs internal construction of the body of a
stringed instrument English
rigo stave or staff Italian
ripieno full Italian
ripresa repeat Italian
risoluto resolutely Italian
risvegliato in an animated fashion Italian
ritardando (rit.) gradually getting slower Italian
ritenuto (riten.) suddenly slower, held back Italian
ritmo rhythm Italian
ritmico rhythmical Italian
ritorrnello return Italian
roll rapid succession of notes on a drum
creating an impression of continuous sound English
ronde semibreve French
root the first or key note in a chord English
rosette decorative inlay around the soundhole of
stringed instruments English
rubato robbed time, speeding up and slowing down Italian
ruhig calm German
saddle upper part of the bridge that the strings pass
over English
saite string German
saiteninstrument stringed instrument German
saltando leaping Italian
salterio tedesco dulcimer Italian
sanft soft, gentle German
sans without French
sassophone saxophone Italian
satz movement of a sonata German
sautillé leaping French
scale a succession of notes either ascending or
descending English
scale length the distance betweem the nut and the bridge
on stringed instruments English
scala scale Italian
schellen sleigh bells German
scherzando playfully Italian
scherzo a musical joke Italian
schlag beat German
schlägel drumstick German
schlaginstrumente percussion instruments German
schleppen to drag German
schleifer slide or slur German
schluss end or conclusion German
schlüssel clef German
schmetternd blaring (horn player’s instruction) German
schon already German
schwach weak, soft German
schwerer heavier, more difficult German
schwermütig dejected, sad German
schwindend dying away German
schwung swinging German
schwungvol spirited German
sciolto free and easy Italian
score written music for more than one instrument English
scorrevole scurrying, gliding Italian
scratchplate situated on the body, below the first string of
many stringed instruments. Placed there to
stop the player damaging the body with a
pick or plectrum English
scroll decorative curl at the top of the headstock
on many stringed instruments such as the
violin and cello English
secco dry, short Italian
sechzehntel semiquaver German
seconda volta second time
segno, dal repeat from the sign Italian
segue moving seemlessly from one musical phrase
or section to another Italian
sehr very German
seiten side German
semibreve longest note in modern notation. Originally
half the value of the extinct breve English/Italian
semichroma semiquaver Italian
semiminima crotchet Italian
semplice in a simple manner Italian
semiquaver note value equal to a sixteenth of a
semibreve or half the length of a quaver English
semitone half a whole tone. In equal temperament
there are twelve semitones to an octave English
sempre always Italian
semplice simple Italian
sensibilita sensitive Italian
sensible sensitive French
senza without Italian
septet composition for seven performers English
septuor septet French
sequence repetition of a musical pattern at another
pitch English
serenade song of love and devotion Latin
serio (or seria) serious Italian
serioso serious Italian
serré tightened. To be played tensely and quickly French
settimino septet Italian
seulement only French
sextet composition for six performers English
sextette (or sextuor) sextet French
sfogato evaporated, in an airy fashion Italian
shake another name for a trill English
sforzando (sforzato) forcing. abbreviated to sfz or sf Italian
shake alternative name for trill English
sharp raises the pitch of note by a semitone English
si seventh note of the major scale (B) French/Italian
sight reading the ability to read music straight from the
page on first viewing English
simile the same Italian
simple time time where each beat in the bar is
divisible by two English
sinfonie symphony German
sinistra left hand Italian
sino (or sin) until Italian
sino al up to the Italian
sistema stave or staff Italian
sixteenth-note semiquaver American English
slancio impetus Italian
slargando broadening Italian
slentando getting slower Italian
slide the movement of two grace notes up to the
principal note English
slur curved line under or over a group of notes
indicating they are to be performed smoothly English
smorzando dying away Italian
soave suave, gentle Italian
soggeto subject, theme Italian
soh fifth note of the major scale (G) English
sol fifth note of the major scale (G) Italian/French
solenne solemn Italian
solennemente solemnly Italian
solo alone Italian
soltanto solely Italian
sombre somber, dark French
sombre dark, somber Italian
son sound French
son étouffées damped sound French
son harmoniques harmonics French
sonata a piece of music for a solo keyboard
instrument or a solo instrument accompanied
by the piano English
sonagli sleigh bells Italian
sonore sound with full tone Italian
sopra above Italian
sordino mute Italian
sospiro crotchet rest Italian
sostenuto sustained Italian
sotto under Italian
sotto voce with a barely audible sound Italian
soubrette cunning, shrewd French
sound board wooden top on instruments over which the
strings are stretched to produce and amplify
the sound English
soundhole opening on the top of mainly stringed
instruments to project and amplify the sound English
soupir crotchet rest French
sourdine mute French
sousaphone member of the tuba family to be worn around
the neck. Generally used in marching bands English
soutenu held, sustained, flowing smoothly French
spezzato divided Italian
spianato smooth and even Italian
spiccato with a light bouncing motion of the bow on
the strings Italian
spinto pushed, urged on Italian
spirito spirit Italian
spiritoso lively, with spirit Italian
spitze point German
sprechgesang speech-song German
sprechstimme speaking voice German
staccato detached, short Italian
staff alternative name for a stave English
ständchen serenade German
stark strong, loud German
stave set of five horizontal lines housing the notes
and ornaments in written music. Plainsong
only used four lines English
steel a heavy little metal cylinder used by steel
guitar players to slide from note to note on
the fretboard English
steg bridge on a stringed instrument German
stentando delaying, retarding, labouring Italian
stimme voice German
stopping with stringed instruments the placing of the
left hand fingers on the strings and
fingerboard to produce a higher pitch, as
opposed to open string playing English
strap button button on the bottom underside of the body
for holding a strap in place. These can also
be seen on the heel of many instruments English
strascinando dragging Italian
streich bow German
strepitoso noisy Italian
stretto close, narrow, drawn together Italian
stimmgabel tuning fork German
strich bow stroke German
string winder a device that fits over the tuner or machine
head of a stringed instrument, making the
process of re-stringing a lot quicker English
stringendo quickening Italian
strings lengths of metal, nylon, gut or composite
material of different diameters stretched
over a neck and soundboard on instruments
such as guitars, harps, violins and zithers English
strum (or strumming) striking all, or the majority of the strings on a
stringed instrumented simultaneously in a
rhythmical, up or down motion English
strumento instrument Italian
stück piece of music or composition German
study a practice piece English
subito suddenly Italian
suite a set of connected musical pieces forming
a whole work English
suivez follow French
sul on the Italian
sul ponticello on the bridge Italian
sul tasto play on or near on the fingerboard Italian
summation tone very faint note English
suono sound, tone Italian
sur over, on French
sur la touche play on or near on the fingerboard French
suspension the sounding of a sustained note or chord
 while a second chord is played English
sympathetic strings additional strings which vibrate while the
main strings are sounded, as on the sitar English
symphonie symphony French/German
symphony an orchestral work in three or four
movements English
system stave or staff. abbreviated from liniensystem German
tablatur tablature German
tablature (or tab) notation system where the notes are
represented by numbers or letters and the
horizontal lines represent the strings English
tacet is silent Latin
tactus beat Latin
tailpiece final resting place for the strings after the
bridge on some stringed instruments. Usually
metal and joined to the bottom underside of
the body English
takt bar, beat, time German
taktstrich barline German
talon nut of the bow French
tanto so much Italian
tardo slow Italian
tardando becoming slower Italian
tastar touching Italian
tastiera fingerboard or fretboard Italian
tasto key of a keyboard instrument Italian
tastura keyboard Italian
te seventh note of the major scale (B) English
tema theme Italian
temperament tuning system where the intervals are tuned
away from the natural scale English
tempo time Italian
tempo primo return to original time Italian
tempo rubato robbed time Italian
temps beat French
tenendo sustaining Italian
teneramente tenderly Italian
tenor horn member of the valved brass family belonging
to the saxhorn group (tuba, euphonium etc.) English
tenorhorn tenor horn German
tenuto held, sustained Italian
tertian harmony harmony based on a triad or third English
tessitura average range of a vocal part Italian
testo text Italian
thirty-second note demisemiquaver American English
ti seventh note of the major scale (B)
tie curved line joining together two notes of
identical pitch into a continuous sound English
timbre tonal quality French
time signature vertical numbers found at the beginning of a
piece of music indicating the note values in
 each bar English
tiré downward stroke of the bow French
toccata musical piece for a keyboard instrument Italian
ton key, mode or pitch French
ton sound, music German
tonart key, mode German
tone (or whole-tone) interval of a major second such G to A, rather
than semitones G to G sharp English
tonic first note in a scale English
tonic sol-fa a method of musical training where the notes
are sung to syllables English
tonkunst art of sound or music German
tonleiter scale German
tonstück piece of music German
top the soundbound or front of the body of
stringed instruments English
top block internal construction element on stringed
instruments under the base of the neck
where it joins the body English
tosto quick, rapid Italian
touche fingerboard or fretboard French
tranquillo tranquil, quiet, calm Italian
transition change of key English
transposition the writing or performing of a piece of music
in a different key from the original English
trauernd mournfully German
träumerisch dreamy German
traurig sad German
tremblement trill French
tremolo a quick reiteration of the same tone on a
string instrument Italian
tremelo arm or bar a metal bar fixed to the bridge or tailpiece of
an electric guitar to temporarily alter the
string tension, which in turn changes the
pitch, creating a vibrato effect. English
très very French
triad a three-note chord, such as C major English
trill a very fast alteration between a note and the
note a second above it English
trille trill French
triller trill German
trio composition for three parts English
triple croche demisemiquaver French
triple stop three note chord played on bowed musical
instruments English
triple time time featuring three beats to the bar English
tristement sadly French
tristement sadly Italian
tromba (clarino) trumpet Italian
trombone member of the brass family with a u-shaped
slide instead of valves English/French/Italian
trompete trumpet German
trompette trumpet French
tronco truncated Italian
troppo too much Italian
troubadours poet-musicians from the early middle ages French
trumpet valved member of the brass family English
truss rod metal rod inserted into the neck of guitars
to keep the neck straight or correct bowing English
tuba lower pitched members of the brass family
in three sizes, the euphonium, the Eb/F bass
and the Bb bass. All have valves. English
tuners for tightening up a string to the correct pitch
on stringed instruments English
tuning fork two-pronged metal device for sounding the
pitch of a note English
turn an ornament which makes a turn around a
particular note, starting with the note above English
tutte le corde all the strings Italian
tutti all Italian
twang bar colloquial name for a vibrato arm English
tympanon dulcimer French
uber over, above German
übertönend drowning out German
umkehrung turning round, inversion German
ubung exercise German
un poco a little Italian
una corda one string Italian
unison (unis.) same pitches played by several instruments French
unmore humour Italian
unruhig restless German
unter under, lower German
unterbrechung interuption, suspension German
up bow stroke of the bow from the point to the heel English
upper bout the narrower section, near the top of the
body on an instrument like a guitar. This
generates the higher frequencies (or more
treble) English
ut the note C in French French
valse waltz French
valzer waltz Italian
vamp an improvised accompaniment English
variation modification of a musical theme English
veloce fast Italian
verhalten restrained, held back German
verklingen lassen let die away German
verzweiflungsvoll full of despair German
vibrato slight change of pitch on same note Italian
vibrato arm same as a tremelo arm English
viertel crotchet German
vide empty French
vif lively French
vigoroso vigorous, strong Italian
vihuela de braço violin Spanish
viola alto member of the violin family English/Italian
viola da braccio violin Italian
violine violin German
violon violin French
virtuoso a musician of extraordinary talent Italian
vite fast, quick French
vivace lively Italian
vivo lively Italian
voce voice Italian
volante fast and light Italian
volta turn or time Italian
volti turn over the page Italian
volume loudness of sound English
vorspiel prelude German
vorwärts forward, onward German
wagner tuba a group of five brass instruments designed
for Wagner’s Ring Cycle English/German
waist the middle or dipped section in the body of
a guitar English
waltz dance in triple or 3/4 time English
walzer waltz German
wechsel change German
weg away, beyond German
whammy bar colloquial name for a vibrato arm English
whole-note semibreve American English
wieder again German
wie oben as above, as before German
wuchtig weighty, heavy German
zart tenderly, delicately German
zeitmass tempo German
zero fret an extra fret to aid tuning stability situated
just in front of the nut on the neck of some
stringed instruments English
ziemlich suitable, fitting German
zurückhaltend slowing in speed German
zurückkehrend zum return to German
zweiunddreissigstel demisemiquaver German