Question 1

Jig

Accepted Answer

A kind of country dance in triple time and a quick tempo.

Question 2

Just intonation

Accepted Answer

Precisely to true pitch; opposed to tempered intonation.

Question 3

Key

Accepted Answer

The series of tones forming any given major or minor scale, considered with reference to their harmonic relations, particularly the relation of the other tones to the tonic or keynote.

Question 4

Keynote

Accepted Answer

The first note of a key or scale; in a major or minor scale, the tonic.

Question 5

Key signature

Accepted Answer

The sharps or flats at the head of the staff.

Question 6

Klagend

Accepted Answer

Mournfully, plaintively.

Question 7

Klavier

Accepted Answer

A keyboard.

Question 8

Kräftig

Accepted Answer

Forceful, vigorous, energetic.

Question 9

Lamento

Accepted Answer

A lament, complaint.

Question 10

Ländler

Accepted Answer

A slow waltz, in 3/4 or 3/8 time.

Question 11

Langsam

Accepted Answer

Slow.

Question 12

Largo

Accepted Answer

Large, broad; slow and stately with breadth of style.

Question 13

Leading note

Accepted Answer

The seventh degree of the major scale.

Question 14

Lebhaft

Accepted Answer

Lively, animated.

Question 15

Legatissimo

Accepted Answer

Very smoothly and evenly. On the piano, an indication that each finger is to hold its note as long as possible.

Question 16

Legato

Accepted Answer

Bound, slurred; a direction to perform the passage in a smooth and connected manner, with no break between the tones.

Question 17

Leggiero

Accepted Answer

Lightly.

Question 18

Liecht

Accepted Answer

Light, brisk; easy, facile.

Question 19

Leitmotiv

Accepted Answer

Leading motive; any striking musical motive characterising or accompanying a character, particular idea, emotion, or situation.

Question 20

Lenezza, con"

Accepted Answer

Faintly, gently, quietly.

Question 21

Lentamente

Accepted Answer

Slowly.

Question 22

Lento

Accepted Answer

Slow; calls for a tempo between andante and largo.

Question 23

Liberamente

Accepted Answer

Freely, boldly.

Question 24

Lieblich

Accepted Answer

Lovely, sweet, charming.

Question 25

L'istesso

Accepted Answer

The same.

Question 26

Loco

Accepted Answer

Place; following 8va, it means to perform the notes as written.

Question 27

Locrian mode

Accepted Answer

The ecclesiastical mode that correspones to the scale from B to B o the white keys of the piano; the order of intervals is: semitone, tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone.

Question 28

Lointain

Accepted Answer

Distant; faint sounding.

Question 29

Lunga

Accepted Answer

Long; sustained, prolonged.

Question 30

Luttuoso

Accepted Answer

Mournful, doleful, plaintive.

Question 31

Lydian mode

Accepted Answer

The church mode that correspones to the scale from  to  o the white keys of the piano; the order of intervals is: tone, tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, semitone.

Question 32

Mächtig

Accepted Answer

Powerful, mighty.

Question 33

Maestoso

Accepted Answer

Majestic, dignified.

Question 34

Major scale

Accepted Answer

A scale; the order of intervals is: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone.

Question 35

Mancando

Accepted Answer

Decreasing in loudness, dying away.

Question 36

Marcato

Accepted Answer

With distinctness and emphasis.

Question 37

Marcatissimo

Accepted Answer

With very marked emphasis.

Question 38

Mässig

Accepted Answer

Measured; moderate.

Question 39

Mazurka

Accepted Answer

A Polish national dance in triple time and modrate tempo with a variable accent on the third beat.

Question 40

Mediant

Accepted Answer

The third degree of the major or minor scale.

Question 41

Melodic

Accepted Answer

1. In the style of a melody; progressing by simgle tones. 2. Vocal, singable, tuneful.

Question 42

Melodic minor scale

Accepted Answer

A minor scale that eliminates the interval of an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees of the harmonic minor scale, thereby providing a smoother progression. When ascending, the sixth and seventh degrees are raised; when descending, these notes are unaltered.

Question 43

Melody

Accepted Answer

The ordered and rational progression of single tones; contrasted with harmony.

Question 44

Meno

Accepted Answer

Less; not so.

Question 45

Mesto

Accepted Answer

Pensive, sad, melancholy.

Question 46

Mesure

Accepted Answer

Measure, moderate.

Question 47

Meter, Metre"

Accepted Answer

The grouping of beats.

Question 48

Minim

Accepted Answer

A half note.

Question 49

Minuet

Accepted Answer

An early French dance form, in triple time.

Question 50

Misterioso

Accepted Answer

In a style suggestive of mystery, or of hidden meaning.

Question 51

Mixolydian mode

Question 52

Mode

Question 53

Moderato

Question 54

Modulate

Question 55

Molto

Question 56

Morbido

Question 57

Morendo

Question 58

Mormoroso

Question 59

Mosso

Question 60

Motive

Question 61

Moto

Question 62

Moto, con"

Question 63

Movement

Question 64

Nach

Specialising in

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION

Small group classes at

Ainslie Arts Centre

Specialising in

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION

Small group classes at

Ainslie Arts Centre

Term 1 2026 enrolment open HERE

STUDENTS

MUSIC CLASSES CANBERRA

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
Small group classes
Ainslie Arts Centre & Online

GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS:

J - N

Specialising in

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION

Small group classes at

Ainslie Arts Centre

Specialising in

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION

Small group classes at

Ainslie Arts Centre

Term 1 2026 enrolment open HERE

STUDENTS

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION Small group classes Ainslie Arts Centre & Online

GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS:

J - N

ADULT MUSIC EDUCATION
Small group classes
Ainslie Arts Centre & Online