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A after Vladimír Altner, the cataloguer of music by Frantisek Xaver Dusek (1731-1799) also AV or MvA, after Erich H. Müller von Asow (1892-1964), the cataloguer of music by Richard Strauss (1864-1949) after Gerhard Allroggen, the cataloguer of music by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffman (1776-1822) A abbreviation of alto or altus, as, for example, in Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, the four voices in a choir abbreviation of 'antiphon' or for 'advanced' (as in A level) A the highest grade in an examination A a system of paper sizes A0 841 x 1189 mm A1 594 x 841 mm A2 420 x 594 mm A3 297 x 420 mm A4 210 x 297 mm A5 148 x 210 mm A6 105 x 148 mm A7 74 x 105 mm A8 52 x 74 mm A9 37 x 52 mm A10 26 x 37 mm A, a (English, German n.) the name of the scale note, the sixth in the scale of C major (the submediant), commonly used to set the pitch of a musical instrument or of an orchestra (in particular, a', A4 or La4=440 Hz where Hz is the unit of frequency equivalent to one cycle per second) and which in 'fixed do' solfeggio is called la or lah A (musical note) A the first section, i.e. the A section, of a piece of music in binary form, ternary form, etc. A   in music theory, A stands for the A-major triad a   in music theory, a stands for the a-minor triad a in right-hand guitar notation, a lower case 'a' indicates the use of the ring finger or anular a (Italian) at, by, for, in, to, with, in the manner of when used in the title of a piece of music, a followed by a number indicates the number of parts (voices) in the piece, as for example Magnificat a 5 would be a Magnificat with five distinct vocal or instrument parts [entry provided by Ed Batutis] à (French) by, for, in, to, at, with, in the manner of, in the style of when used in the title of a piece of music, à followed by a number indicates the number of parts (voices) in the piece, as for example Magnificat à 5 would be a Magnificat with five distinct vocal or instrument parts [entry provided by Ed Batutis] a. abbreviation of ante (Latin: before) A1 originally a reference to the Lloyd's Register of Shipping classification indicating that the hull of a ship is in 'excellent condition' but nowdays used more generally about anything object a 2 abbreviation of a due (Italian: for two, a reference to two instruments or two voices) a.a. abbreviation of 'author's alteration' AA abbreviation of 'author's alteration' AABA symbolising a variant of ABA, also called 'song form', where the first section, A, is played twice before the middle section B, and a third time to conclude the piece Aak (Korea) Confucian temple music Aak (Confucian temple music) Aak Aanhangsel (Dutch) appendix aan het einde (Dutch) at the end aanhouden (Dutch) to sustain doorklinken (meaning to sustain) is used for the passive 'sounding on' or 'reverberation' of percussion or a piano with the sustaining pedal depressed, while aanhouden (also meaning to sustain) is used for the active continuation of a note on strings or wind, where the player continues to generate the tone [clarification by Peter Nilsson] Ääni (Finnish) tone, note (Finnish) voice, as in a polyphonic composition Ääni ääntä vastaan (Finnish) counterpoint Ääniala (Finnish) ambit, ambitus Aanslag (Dutch m.) attack (battery, assult), attempt, touch (one of the senses), appraisal, assessment (judgement), scale (fish), scum, tarnish, stain Aantekening (Dutch) note (in a book) Aanvulling (Dutch) supplement Aanzet (Dutch) attack Aanzetstuk (van instrumente) (Dutch) extension Aaron brother of Moses and first high priest of the Israelites (Exodus 4:14) Aaroubi an evolved form of al-andalous classical music which comes from Algiers Aarvak (Old Norse) in Scandinavian mythology, the horse that from the chariot of the Sun, driven by the maiden Sol aarzelen (Dutch) to hesitate Aaya North-American vessel rattle Vessel Rattle (aaya), probably Hopi people, Arizona, United States, about 1900 ab (German) from, off, away used in German organ music to disengage a stop previously on, or as in Sordinen ab (German: 'mutes off') see 'cancel' (Latin) from, for example ab ovo (Latin: from the egg) ab abbreviation of 'abridgement' AB a musical form that has two sections, A followed by B, also called 'binary form' ABA symbolising ternary form in which the first section A precedes and follows a second section B, a form so common in classical song that is is also called 'song form' ab absurdo (Latin, 'from the absurd') establishing the validity of one's argument by pointing out the absurdity of your opponent's position ABACA also called 'rondo' form, with three sections A, B and C Abacuá or abakuá or abakwa, the musical styles of the Abacuá people and folkloric ensembles greatly influencing Cuban secular forms such as rumba Abakua Abacus (Greek, a reference to abax, a board covered in sand on which calculations can be traced) a counting device traditionally consisting of a frame holding rods on which ten beads can slide. Each rod indicates a power of 10 (thus 1, 10, 100, etc.) Abacus harmonicus an ancient diagram showing the structure and disposition of the keys of an instrument, described by Athanasius Kircher (1601/2-1680) Abacus Pythagoricus a multiplication table believed to have been invented by Pythagoras Abad (Spanish m.) abbot Abadesa (Spanish f.) abbess Abadia (Spanish f.) abbey ab aeterno (Latin) from the beginning of time abafado (Portuguese) muted Abaimajani a rhythmic a cappella song of the Garifuna of Honduras and Belize abaissé (French) flattened, lowered Abaisse-langue (French m.) tongue depressor, an instrument for pressing down the tongue (medical) Abaissement (French m.) drop, fall, depression, humiliation, abasement abaisser (French) to let down, to let fall, to lower, to diminish, to reduce, to pull down, to push down, to humiliate abaixo (Portuguese) below, underneath Abajeños folk music of the Perépecha of Mexico Abakuá see abacuá Abakwa see abacuá Abalone or 'mother of pearl', a shell material commonly used on instrument inlays abalourdir (French) to make dull, to make stupid Abalourdissement (French m.) rendering dull or stupid, dullness, stupidity a ballata (Italian) in the style of a dance, in the ballad style, wie eine Ballade (German), comme une ballade (French) Abanderado (Spanish m.) standard-bearer Abandon (French m.) desertion, abandonment abandon, avec (French) or, in Italian, con abbandono, (play) with feeling, (play) without restraint, (play) with passion abandonné (m.), abandonnée (f.) (French) negligent, free-and-easy, relaxed, shameless, graceless, profligate, forsaken, disused Abandonnement (French m.) dissoluteness, profligacy abandonner (French) to give up, to hand over, to surrender, to renounce, to forsake, to desert, to abandon, to leave, to quit, to neglect, to drop, to retire, to relinquish abandonner la partie (French) to throw in one's hand abandonner se prétentions (French) to renounce one's claims Abanico (Spanish m., literally 'fan') a stylized roll played by the timbalero usually to signify a change in the music (i.e. from verse to chorus) a word used to describe the timbales figure (roll and accent) played to introduce or close sections and to setup various ensemble passages Abaque (French m.) abacus Abaratamiento (Spanish m.) reduction in price abaratar (Spanish) to reduce (prices) abaratarse (Spanish) to come down (prices) abarcar (Spanish) to put one's arms around, to embrace abarquillar (Spanish) to warp a barullo (Spanish) galore à bas (French) down with ...! a base de (Spanish) thanks to, by means of a base de bien (Spanish) very well a base di (Italian) containing abasourdir (French) to stun, to bewilder, to dumbfound. to daze Abasourdissement (French m.) bewilderment, stupifaction a bassa voce (Italian) to speak in a low or damped voice abâtardir (French) to cause to degenerate, to debase Abâtardissement (French m.) degeneration, debasement Abate (English) make or become less strong, diminish, as for example 'noise abatement' meaning 'noise reduction' (Italian m.) abbot Abatimiento (Spanish m.) depression Abat-jour (French) a skylight, a device that is used to deflect daylight downward as it streams through a window, a shutter or awning used to exclude daylight, lamp-shade à bâtons rompus (French) jumping from subject to subject Abat-sons a louver or luffer-board (used to reflect sound downwards) Abattant (French m.) flap, leaf (of a table, desk etc.) Abattement (French m.) dejection, despondency abattre (French) to dishearten, to weaken, to drain (energy from a person), to sap, to demoralize, to tire out, to wear out, to pull down (a wall, a building) abattre du travail (French) to get through a lot of work abattu (m.), abattue (f.) (French) dejected, despondent, worn out, exhausted, feeble, very weak, demoralized, downcast a battuta (Italian, literally 'as beaten') with the beat, in strict time Abat-voix (French) a sounding board, a wooden canopy (often placed over a pulpit in a church, cathedral, etc.) whose purpose is to reduce the dispersion of sound abb. abbreviation of 'abbey' Abb. abbreviation of 'abbey', 'abbot' or 'abbess' abbacchiato (Italian) with a dejected, melancholic expression Abbacy office or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess abbaiare (Italian) to bark, to bay, to howl, to yelp, to snarl Abbaiata (Italian f.) barking, baying, howling, yelping, snarling, scolding Abbaione (Italian m.) noisy fellow, great talker Abbaino (Italian m.) dormer widow, skylight, garret window, garret abbandonamente (Italian) vehemently, violently, passionately, unrestrained (for example, with unrestrained emotion), relaxed free, particularly as regards the time abbandonamento (Italian) abandonment, forsaking, deserting, loss of strength or of courage, weakness, profligacy, dejection abbandonandosi (Italian) abandoning oneself, sich hingebend (German), en s'abandonnant (French) abbandonare (Italian) to abandon, to leave, to desert, to foresake, to quit, to forgo, to let go, to drop, to let fall, to disuse, to give up, to relinquish, to surrender, to concede, to throw away as in senza abbandonare la corda (Italian: without quitting the string) (Italian) neglect abbandonasi (Italian) with abandon, unrestrained, without restraint, with ease, with passionate expression abbandonatamente (Italian) or abbandono (Italian), vehemently, violently, passionately, unrestrained (for example, with unrestrained emotion), relaxed, with abandon, mit Hingabe (German), avec abandon (French) free, particularly as regards the time abbandonato (Italian) abandoned, deserted, forsaken, neglected, given up abbandone (Italian) despondingly, with self-abandonment making the time subservient to the expression abbandonevolmente (Italian) vehemently, violently, desperately making the time subservient to the expression Abbandono (Italian m.) abandonment, desertion, dereliction, renouncement, relaxation, unconstraint, isolation, neglect abbandono (Italian) abbandonatamente, abbandonevolmente abbandono, con (Italian) in French avec abandon, to play negligently, to play in a free-and-easy manner, to play in an impassioned manner, with a burst of passion abbarbagliare (Italian) to dazzle, to daze, to hallucinate Abbasids see Abbassids Abbassamento (Italian) the act of lowering or the state of being lowered Abbassamento di mano (Italian) the lowering of the hand, down-beat in conducting Abbassamento di voce (Italian) the lowering of the voice abbassando (Italian) calante (Italian), calando (Italian), waning, lowering, absinkend (German), en faisant descendre (French), en descendant (French), en abaissant (French) abbassare (Italian) lower, in the sense of 'to tune a string down', a type of scordatura in which a string is tuned down so that the range of the string or keyboard instrument, for example a harpsichord or spinet', will be able to satisfy the needs of a particular piece (Italian) turn down (the volume of a radio or TV) Abbassids a dynasty of caliphs who ruled the Arabian empire from 750 to 1258. During this period the Muslim world became the unrivaled intellectual centre for science, philosophy, medicine and education as the Abbasids championed the cause of knowledge and established a "House of Wisdom" in Baghdad; where both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars sought to translate and gather all the world's knowledge into Arabic. Many classic works of antiquity that would otherwise have been lost were translated into Arabic and later in turn translated into Turkish, Persian, Hebrew and Latin Abbasid from which this information has been taken abbasso (Italian) below abbatersi (Italian) to be discouraged Abbatiale (French f.) abbey-church Abbaye (French f.) abbey Abbé (French m.) abbot, priest, a cleric in the eighteenth century, the title was applied to one in minor orders, wearing clerical dress, but serving little or no ecclesiastical function Abbecedario (Italian m.) primer (elementary text book) Abbéde cour (French m.) an abbé who, having obtained a lucrative and influential position at court, is perceived as being more worldly than a cleric should be abbellare (Italian) to embellish with ornaments Abbellimento (s.), Abbellimenti (pl.) (Italian m.) embellishment(s), ornament(s), grace note(s) abbellire (Italian) to embellish with ornaments Abbellitura (s.), Abbelliture (pl.) (Italian) embellishment, ornament Abbess the head of a community of nuns Abbesse (French f.) abbess Abbey buildings occupied by a community of monks or nuns a community occupying such buildings Abbicci (Italian m.) alphabet abbiente (Italian) well-to-do Abbigliamento (Italian m.) clothes, clothing industry Abbildung (German f.) illustration, figure abbinamento (Italian) combining abbinare (Italian) combine Abblasen (German n.) tower music abblasen (German) to sound the trumpet, to sound the retreat, to sound for the last time Abbocamento (Italian m.) interview, talk (conversation) Abbonamento (Italian m.) subscription, season-ticket abbonarsi (Italian) subscribe, take out a season-ticket Abbonato (s.), Abbonati (pl.) (Italian m./f.) one who subscribes to a subscription series at an opera house abbondante (Italian) roomy (clothes) Abbondanza (Italian f.) abundance abbordabile (Italian) approachable (person), reasonable (price) Abbot the head of a community of monks Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance see 'horn dance' abbottonare (Italian) button up Abbottonatura (Italian f.) (row of) buttons abbozzare (Italian) sketch (out) abbozzare un sorriso (Italian) give a hint of a smile Abbozzo (Italian m.) sketch abbr. abbreviation of 'abbreviation' abbracciare (Italian m.) embrace, hug (a person), take up (a profession), include (figuratively) Abbraccio (Italian m.) embrace, hug abbrev. abbreviation of 'abbreviation' Abbreviamenti (Italian) abbreviations, as, for example, in musical notation abbreviare (Italian) abbreviate, shorten, curtail Abbreviate shorten, particular where a word is represented by only a part of it Abbreviation abbreviatura (Italian), Abkürzung (German), abréviation (French), abreviación (Spanish) any symbol used to indicate elements that might otherwise require a more extended notation. The most common abbreviations in music are the signs for repeated notes or repeated note patterns (see 'Repeated notes, notation of'); in piano music, the use of chords to indicate arpeggio-like figuration; con 8va or con 8va bassa both indicating the addition of notes an octave above or below the written note Instrument Names and Their Abbreviations Abbreviatur (s.), Abbreviaturen (pl.) (German f.) or Abkürzung, abbreviation Abbreviatura (s.), Abbreviature (pl.) (Italian f.) abbreviation(s) Abbreviaturen (Dutch pl., German f. pl.) abbreviations Abbreviazione (s.), Abbreviazioni (pl.) (Italian f.) abbreviation Abbrutimento (Italian m.) brutalization ABC the alphabet, the rudiments of a subject, alphabetical guide (French m.) an alphabet book, rudiments, fundamentals ABC-dieren (Dutch) in singing exercises, to use note names rather than the solfeggio syllables do, re, mi, etc., a system most commonly found in Germany ABC-diren (German) or Abcidiren, in singing exercises, to use note names rather than the solfeggio syllables do, re, mi, etc., a system most commonly found in Germany Abcès (French m.) an abcess Abcidiren (German) or ABC-diren, in singing exercises, to use note names rather than the solfeggio syllables do, re, mi, etc., a system most commonly found in Germany ABCM abbreviation of Associate of Bandsmen's College of Music ABC notation ABC is a format for writing tunes in a portable and easy way. It was invented by Chris Walshaw, and is used for sending tunes via e-mail, for putting tune books on the net, and for typesetting tunes. There are now a number of different software packages available for handling ABC files on various platforms ABC notation the ABC musical notation language ABC Plus - an extension of the original ABC language ABC Convert-o-matic - input ABC file - output pdf, midi or jpg abdämpfen (German) to dampen, to mute, to muffle (particularly with regard to timpani) Abdelazer see 'Behn, Aphra' ab dem Zeichen (German) dal segno, from the sign Da Capo Abderian laughter from Abdera, in Thrace, whose citizens were considered rustic simpletons who would laugh at anything or anyone they didn't understand Abdicate (from Latin abdicatus, pp. of abdicare 'disown, disinherit' - specifically abdicare magistratu 'renounce office') divest oneself of office abdiquer (French) to abdicate Abdomen (English, French m.) in mammals and other vertebrates the abdomen (belly) constitutes the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity Abdomen from which this extract has been taken Abdominal pertaining to the abdomen, the region of the body also called the belly abdominal (m.), abdominale (f.) (French) abdominal Abdruck (German m.) impression, print, reprint, reproduction Abduction from the Seraglio see Entfuhrung aus dem Serail Abê a gourd shaker enveloped in beads that features in maracatu nação (also known as maracatu de baque virado) an Afro-Brazilian performance genre Abecé (Spanish m.) alphabet (familiar term) Abécédaraire (French m.) an alphabet primer Abecedarian hymns hymns whose lines or divisions begin with the letters of the alphabet in order. For example, psalm 119 is abecedarian, and its 176 verses are divided into groups of eight, each beginning with (and headed by) a different letter in the Hebrew alphabet Abecedario (Spanish m.) alphabet Abedul (Spanish m.) birch (tree) Abegg Variations Robert Schumann's op. 1 that employs a figure made up of the five notes a, b flat, e', g', g' which in German pitch names A-B-E-G-G spell the name of the works dedicatee Meta Abegg Variations on the name "Abegg" Abeille (French f.) bee Abellimento (Italian) embellishment, ornament Abellitura (Italian f.) embellishment, ornament Abend (German m.) evening Abendglocke (s.), Abendglocken (pl.) (German f.) evening bell, curfew Abendkurs (German m.) evening class Abendlied (German n.) an evening song or hymn, for example, Vespers [addition by Brian A. Jefferies] Abendmahl (German n.) Holy Communion Abendmusik (German f., literally 'evening music') originating in the seventeenth century, evening music usually of a religious or contemplative nature, the German equivalent of Vespers, applies particularly to a series of Advent concerts started by Buxtehude in Lübeck (1673). Dietrich Buxtehude (c.1637-1707), belongs to the generation of organists before Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), who, like George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), once travelled to Lübeck to hear the master perform at the Marienkirche, where he served as organist for forty years, from 1667 until his death in 1707. He wrote a considerable quantity of music, choral and instrumental, for church use, as well as chamber music and keyboard music of a more secular kind Abendmusik abends (German) in the evening a bene placito (Italian) ad libitum, as you like, at pleasure in music, indicating that the performer may change tempo, add ornamentation or change the instrumentation as he or she wishes Abenteuer (German n.) adventure, (love) affair aber (German) but Aberglaube (German) superstition, reverence for the unknown abergläubisch (German) superstitious [corrected by Michael Zapf] Aberínkula the secular batá drums, played at parties and for music and folkloric performances and commercial recordings aber nicht eilen (German) do not rush Aberración (Spanish f.) aberration aberrant deviating from what is usually considered normal or acceptable aberrant (m.), aberrante (f.) (French) aberrant, absurd (story), nonsensical (story), irregular (linguistics) Aberration (English, French f., from Latin aberrationem, itself from aberrare 'go astray') deviation from the normal, strange behaviour Aberrazione (Italian f.) aberration Abertura (Spanish f.) opening, aperture aber wuchtiger (German) but weightier, heavier Abetal (Spanish m.) fir-wood Abete (Italian m.) fir (tree), wood of the fir tree abêtir (French) to turn into a half-wit abêtissant (m.), abêtissante (f.) (French) stupifying (work) Abêtissement (French m.) stupidity, mindlessness Abeto (Spanish m.) fir (tree) Abeyance temporary disuse ab extra (Latin) not eminating from the mind Abf. abbreviation of Abfahrt (German: departure) abfallend (German) sloping in a cappella works, especially if the singers are suffering from the effects of "low pressure" weather, the conductor might speak of in der Tonhöhe abfallend, i.e. 'losing pitch'. You know what it's like. Some choir conductors say: "Early in the morning, C sometimes becomes B, and if your luck is out, even B flat!" In that case, of course, the loss of pitch is not intentional. Conductors of orchestras say etwas abfallend, which may refer to an agogic accent, or to an effect of a purely dynamic nature, i.e. 'slight decline in speed or slight decline in strength (loudness)' [comment provided by Brian A. Jefferies] abfällig (German) disparaging, disparagingly Abfallzeit (German f.) release abfassen (German) to compose Abfasser (German m.) composer, author Abfindung (German f.) (monetary) compensation, severance payment (payment on loss of job) [additional information provied by Brian A. Jefferies] abflöten (German) to play on the flute Abgabe (German f.) sale abgeben (German) to sell abgedroschen (German) hackneyed abgehen (German) to make an exit, to retire, to 'go off' or to 'come off' (the theatre stage) abgekürzt (German) abbreviated abgelegte Kleidung (German f. pl.) cast-offs abgelegte Kleidung (German) take off one's coat abgeleiteter Akkord (German) an inverted chord abgemessen (German) measured, in strict time, in tempo (Italian), en mesure (French) abgepackt (German) pre-packed abgerissen (German) abruptly Abgesang (s.), Abgesänge (pl.) (German m.) see 'bar form' Abgeschiedenheit (German f.) seclusion abgeschwächt darstellen (German) to understate abgesetzt (German) detached abgeschmackt (German) tasteless, in poor taste (figurative) abgestoßen (German, literally 'struck off' - in effected 'shortened') or abstoßen, to play notes detached, to play staccato, a term particularly associated with eighteenth-century string playing (German) or gestoßen (German), detached, jerky (for example, manner of speech or manner of playing a musical line), staccato (Italian), détaché (French), piqué (French) abgestossen (German, literally 'struck off' - in effected 'shortened') or gestossen, to play notes detached, to play staccato, a term particularly associated with eighteenth-century string playing abgewetzt (German) threadbare abgezehrt (German) emaciated abgk. abbreviation of abgekürzt (German: abbreviated) Abgott (German m.) idol abgöttisch (German) idolatrous [entry corrected by Michael Zapf] Abgrenzung (German f.) demarcation Abh. abbreviation of Abhandlungen (German: transactions, treatises) Abhandlung (s.), Abhandlungen (pl.) (German f.) treatise, essay [entry corrected by Michael Zapf] Abhandlung von der Fuge (German f.) treatise on the fugue Abhilfe schaffen (German) to take (remedial) action ab hinc (Latin) from here on abholen (German) collect, call for (as person), meet (someone somewhere) adhorchen (German) to sound abhören (German) to listen to (for example, as in testing somebody on some aspect of their knowledge of something) Abhörgerät (German n.) bugging device Abhorrence disgust, detestation Abhorrent disgusting, hateful, loathsome abhorrer (French) to loathe, to abhor Abide act in accordance with Abiding enduring, permanent à bientôt (French) see you again soon! Abigail used in general sense of 'lady's maid', from a character of that name in Beaumont & Fletcher's The Scornful Lady (1616) the Biblical origin of the name refers to Abigail (1 Samuel 25:24-8) who repeatedly called herself David's handmaiden abigarrado (Spanish) multi-coloured, mixed Abigeato (Spanish/Mexican m.) rustling abile (Italian) clever (intelligent) Abilità (Italian f.) ability, fitness, cleverness Abilitazione (Italian f.) qualification, diploma abilitato (Italian) qualified Ability talent, capacity, power abilmente (Italian) ably, cleverly Abîme (French m.) abyss, gulf, chasm abîmer (French) damage, spoil ab init. abbreviation of ab initio (Latin: from the beginning) ab incunabulis (Latin) from the cradle ab initio (Latin) from the beginning ab intestato (Latin) having made no will Abismo (Spanish m.) world of difference Abisso (Italian m.) abyss Abito (Italian m.) dress (of a woman), suit (of a man) abituale (Italian) usual, habitual abitualmente (Italian) usually Abitudine (Italian f.) habit Abitudinario (m.), Abitudinara (f.) (Italian) person of fixed habits Abitur (German n.) German equivalent of A-levels in the UK a bizzeffe (Italian) galore Abject miserable, wretched Abjuration a renunciation, under oath, of heresy to the Christian faith, made by a Christian wishing to be reconciled with the Church abkaufen (German) buy abklingen (German) die away, subside abklingend (German) fading away adklopfen (German) to sound Abkömmling (German m.) descendant abkürzen (German) shorten, abbreviate Abkürzung (s.), Abkürzungen (pl.) (German f.) abridgement(s), abbreviation(s) (German f.) short cut(s) abl abbreviation of abril (Spanish: April) Ablage (German f.) shelf, tray ablassen (German) knock (something) off (the price of something) Ablation (French f.) removal Ablauf (German m.) expiry (German m.) sequence, procedure [entry provided by Brian A. Jefferies] ablaufen (German m.) expire, run out of (time) Ablaut (German) or 'apophony', a term used in linguistics to describe regular vowel gradation of a word in derivation. So, for example, the vowels of such groups of English forms as 'sing', 'sang', 'sung' are related by Ablaut. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century by the linguist Jacob Grimm, though the phenomenon was first described a century earlier by the Dutch linguist Lambert ten Kate in his book Gemeenschap tussen de Gottische spraeke en de Nederduytsche ("Commonality between the Gothic language and Dutch", 1710) Indo-European ablaut from which some of this information has been taken Able-bodied fit, healthy Ableitung (German f.) derivation, derivative Ablenkung (German f.) distraction ablichten (German) photocopy Ablichtung (German f.) photocopy à bloc (French) hard, tight ablösen (German, literally 'loosen' or 'detach') to play notes detached, to play staccato Ablution ceremonial washing of hands, sacred vessels, etc. Abmachung (German f.) agreement abmarschieren (German) march off abmessen (German) measure Abmessungen (German f. pl.) measurements, dimensions [additional information provided by Brian A. Jefferies] abmildernd (German) addolcendo (Italian), becoming sweet, softing, soft or dolce, sanft werdend (German), en adoucissant (French) abmischen (German) to mix Abnahme (German f.) purchase, removal, reduction (in speed) [additional information provided by Brian A. Jefferies] Abnegación (Spanish f.) self-sacrifice Abnegate give up or renounce something Abnegation denial (in the sense of something forgone) Abnegazione (Italian f.) self-sacrifice abnehmend (German, literally 'decreasing' or 'subsiding') , to soften gradually abnehmend (German) decrescendo (Italian), diminuendo (Italian), deficiendo, (Italian), scemando (Italian), to get gradually softer, decreasing, en décroissant (French), getting less (i.e. diminishing in volume, decreasing in force,), dying away, becoming quieter, leiser werden (German), en amoindrissant (French) abnehmender Ton (German) a decrease of the tone abnehmendes Tempo (German) a decrease of the speed Abnehmer (German m.) buyer abnorm (German) abnormal abnormal deviating from the normal abnutzen (German) wear out Abnutzung (German f.) wear (and tear) abobado (Spanish) silly Abobamiento (Spanish m.) silliness a boca de jarro (Spanish) point-blank a bocca aperta (Italian) dumbfounded (figurative) a bocca chiusa (Italian) humming, with mouth closed abocetar (Spanish) sketch abocinado (Spanish) trumpet-shaped abofetear (Spanish) slap Abogado (Spanish m.) lawyer, solicitor, barrister, attorney Abogado defensor (Spanish m.) defence counsel Aboiement (French m.) bark, barking Abolengo (Spanish m.) ancestry Abolish put an end to (something) Abolladura (Spanish f.) dent abollar (Spanish) dent abolsado (Spanish) baggy abombado (Spanish) convex a bombo y platillos (Spanish) with a lot of fuss Abonado (Spanish m.) subscriber abonarse (Spanish) subscribe à bon compte (French) cheaply à bon escient (French) with good reason Abonné (m.), Abonnée (f.) (French) subscriber, one who subscribe to a subscription series at an opera house, a season-ticket holder Abonnement (German n., French m., Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, literally 'subscription') a term used in certain European opera houses for various kinds of subscription series, an important source of finance (German n., French m., Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, literally 'subscription') a subscription to a journal, a society, etc. (German n., French m., Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, literally 'subscription') season ticket (as, for example, to the theatre) Abonnent (s.), Abonnenten (pl.) (German m.) subscriber, one who subscribes to a subscription series at an opera house abonner (French) subscribe abonnieren (German) subscribe Abono (Spanish m.) payment, subscription abordable (French, Spanish) reasonable (price), approachable (person) aborder (French) tackle (a problem) a bordo (Spanish) on board Aborigen (Spanish m.) native ab origene (Latin) from the beginning, from the beginning of the world Aborigène (French m.) aboriginal Aborigeno (Italian m./f.) aboriginal Aboriginal (s.), Aborigines (pl.) indigenous inhabitants whose occupation of a land predates the arrival of colonists. The term is most widely applied to the original inhabitants of Australia Aboriginal music the music of the indigenous peoples of Australia is diverse and complex, and depending on the region, may or may not include vocalization (hissing, grunting, shouting, shrieking, falsettos, growlings as well as enunciated syllabic and melismatic singing of words), nonsense syllables, chanting, vibrato, tremelo, continuous singing and bitonality. Rhythms are often polymetric though isorhythms do occur. Melodic lines tend to begin loudly on high pitches ending on low softly sustained notes. Harmonies include trills, on intervals that are less than quarter tones, drones, thirds, fourths and fifths, canons, and the singing of two distinct and separate parts aboriginal music is featured in Peter Gabriel's score for the film Rabbit Proof Fence (2002) directed by Phillip Noyce Aboriginal musical instruments different tribes used various instruments including boomerangs, clubs, sticks, hollow logs, drums, seed rattles and of course the didgeridoo. Hand clapping and lap/thigh slapping were common. Decorated drums were made from hollow logs and some covered with reptile skins. Large conch shells were used in the northern coastal areas. The best known of all Aboriginal musical instruments was the didgeridoo Aboriginal rock a rather nebulous term for a style of music which mixes traditional rock music elements (guitar, drums, bass etc) with the instrumentation of Indigenous Australians Aboriginal rock from which this extract has been taken aborrecible (Spanish) loathsome aborrecido (Spanish) hated Aborrecimiento (Spanish m.) hatred aborrire (Italian) abhor abort to end or cause to end a project, before its completion Abortion failed project or action abortive fruitless, unsuccessful abotonar (Spanish) button (up) à bouche fermée (French) humming, with mouth closed à bout (French) exhausted à bout de souffle (French) out of breath About-face about turn aboutir (French) succeed, achieve a result Aboutissement (French m.) outcome à bout portant (French) point-blank About-turn turn made so as to face in the opposite direction used to describe a change of opinion, etc. Above sopra (Italian), ober (German), au-dessus (French), (más) arriba (Spanish) over, on top of, overhead, higher than, higher in importance, more than, beyond reach, earlier (in a book), preceding ab ovo (Latin, literally 'from the egg') from the beginning ab ovo usque ad mala (Latin, literally 'from the egg right to the apples') from start to finish (quotation from Horace) aboyer (French) bark abprallen (German) rebound, richochet abprallendes Stakkato (German) bouncing, ricochet abr. abbreviation of 'abridge', 'abridged' or 'abridgement' a braccetto (Italian) arm in arm a brandelli (Italian) in tatters Abrasif (French m.) abrasive Abrasive (French, English) a substance used in the polishing of various materials Abrasivo (Italian m., Spanish m.) abrasive abrasivo (Italian, Spanish) abrasive à bras-le-corps (French) round the waist à bras ouverts (French) with open arms, with a cordial welcome abräumen (German) clear (the table) Abrazadera (Spanish f.) bracket a brazo (Spanish) by hand Abreast of up to date with Abrecartas (Spanish m.) paper-knife abrechnen (German) settle up, get even (figuratively) Abrechnung (German f.) settlement (of accounts) Abrégé (s.), Abrégés (pl.) (French m.) abridgement, summary (French m.) the coupler mechanism in an organ abréger (French) to shorten or abridge a text (French) to abbreviate or shorten a word (French) to curtail or cut short (a visit) Abreise (German f.) departure abreißen (German) tear off, demolish, pull down (German) break off (figuratively) Abreissung (German f.) a sudden stop, a sudden pause Abreviación (Spanish f.) abbreviation, abridgement, abridged text abreviado (Spanish) brief, abridged abreviar (Spanish) to abbreviate or abridge a text Abréviation (French f.) abbreviation, abridgement, abridged text Abreviatura (Spanish f.) abbreviation abrichten (German) train Abridge shorten (a book, film, etc.) Abridged sonata form a variation of the classic 'sonata-form' where the development involves the introduction of new material rather than, as is usual, the elaboration of material already presented in the exposition Abridgement also called a 'reduction', a shortened version of a musical, literary or dramatic work, while retaining the key elements of the original a briglia sciolta (Italian) at full gallop abril (Spanish m.) April abrillantar (Spanish) polish Abroad widely, in circulation abroncar (Spanish) boo, shame abroncarse (Spanish) be ashamed, get annoyed ABRSM abbreviation of Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music a bruciapelo (Italian) point-blank abrufen (German) retrieve (from the computer) abrumador (Spanish) overwhelming abrunden (German) round off (a number) abrupt (English, German) sudden, hasty (for example, an ending) Abrupt cadence interrupted cadence Abruptio (Latin) breaking off, a sudden pause Abruptly brevement (Italian), abgerissen (German), brusquement (French), bruscamente (Spanish) brusquely, sharply, suddenly, curtly (of manner) Abrupt modulation see 'phrase modulation' abrupto (Spanish) harsh abrutir (French) dull the mind of Abruzzese a song or dance from the Abruzzi district of eastern Rome Abruzze Songs for Downloading ABS acronym for 'acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene' used in the manufacture of plastic parts for musical instruments, particularly for making plastic recorders [link provided by Michael Zapf] ABS a.b.s. abbreviation of aux bon soins (de) (French: c/o, care of - used in postal addresses) Absage (German f.) cancellation absagen (German) cancel absägen (German) saw off Absatz (German m.) paragraph, sale (German m.) stop, pause, cadence a phrase of melody generally consisting of four bars usually considered the musical equivalent of a sentence abschalten (German) switch off abschätzig (German) disparaging, disparagingly Abscheu (German m.) revulsion abscheulich (German) revolting, horrible, horribly Abschied (German m.) farewell, parting (leading to separation) Abschieds-symphonie see 'Farewell Symphony' abschlägig (German) negative abschließend (German) in conclusion Abschluss (s.), Abschlüsse (pl.) (German m.) closing, end, tag Abschluß (s.), Abschlüße (pl.) (German m.) closing, end, tag Abschlußprüfung (German f.) final examination Abschlußzeugnis (German n.) diploma abschmieren (German) grease (lubricate equipment with grease), degrease, side-slip (aeroplane) [additional entry and comment below from Michael Zapf] schmieren is the more usual translation for 'to grease' as for example in 'to grease the joint of a musical instrument' Abschnitt (German m.) section (as, for example, in poetry), paragraph (German m.) stage (in a stadium) (German m.) counterfoil abschrauben (German) unscrew abschreiben (German) copy, write off Abschreibung (German f.) depreciation Abschrift (s.), Abschriften (pl.) (German f.) reprint, copy, transcript abschwächend (German) becoming weaker, weakening, indebolendo (Italian), affievolendo (Italian), schwächer werden (German), en affaiblissant (French) (German) smorzando (Italian) extinguished, put out, gradually dying away to a whisper, calming down, subduing, dämpfend (German), en amortissant (French) abschweifen (German) disgress abschwellen (German) decrescendo, to become steadily softer absehen (German) foresee [corrected by Michael Zapf] Absence makes the heart grow fonder a line from the song The Isle of Beauty by T. Haynes Bayly (1797-1839) although found much earlier in Francis Davison's Poetical Rhapsody (1602) Absence of mind inattentiveness Absent not present, not existing, lacking, inattentive Absentee person not present Absenteeism frequently or illicitly absenting oneself from work or school, etc. Absentee landlord a person who lets property in which he does not live Absentéiste (French m./f.) absentee Absent-minded forgetful, inattentive absetzen (German, literally 'to separate') play notes detached, play staccato, to separate phrases absetzen in die Tabulatur (German absetzen, 'to set down') from the sixteenth century, to transcribe vocal music into tablature Absetzung (German f.) intabulation [entry provided by Michael Zapf] Absicht (German f.) intention absichtlich (German) intentional, intentionally, deliberate, deliberately Abside (Italian f.) apse Ábside (Spanish m.) apse absingen (German) to sing, to carol, to sing oneself to exhaustion Absingung (German f.) singing, carolling absinkend (German) abbassando (Italian), calante (Italian), calando (Italian), waning, lowering, en faisant descendre (French), en descendant (French), en abaissant (French) Absinthe (French) technically a gin, a potent alcoholic liquor distilled from wine and wormwood (Artemesia absinthium), the manufacture and consumption of which became illegal in French on 16th Mar. 1915. The name is often applied today to the less potent liquor known as Pernod absit omen (Latin) touch wood!, God forbid! ABSM abbreviation of Associate of the Birmingham School of Music ABSM(TTD) abbreviation of Associate of the Birmingham School of Music (Teacher's Training Diploma) absolu (French) absolute absolument (French) absolutely absolut (German) absolute, absolutely absolutamente (Spanish) absolutely, completely Absolute complete, utter, unconditional, despotic, neither reelative nor comparative Absolute dating methods used to find out the period from which something originated, usually based on the differential radioactive decay of various chemical isotopes, including carbon-14 (which is less dependable for specimens older than 40,000 years than it is for more recent organic remains) and potassium-argon (K-40/A-40) technique (used only for inorganic substances, i.e. rocks and minerals billions of years old) Absolute dating Absolute music (English) or 'abstract music', a term used for music dependent on its structure alone for comprehension, the antithesis of programme music, for example, a Bach fugue. Generally, abstract music will exclude all vocal music particularly that where the music's character has been influenced by the text absolute Musik (German f.) absolute music, which in Germany excludes all programme and vocal music as well as that whose nature is clearly emotional "Music has no subject beyond the combinations of notes we hear, for music speaks not only by means of sounds, it speaks nothing but sound." [Eduard Hanslick (1825-1904) German writer on music] Absolute pitch the name given by psychologists to the phenomenon musicians call 'perfect pitch', a strong conscious or unconscious memory of musical pitch. Simpson and Huron (1994) showed that musicians possessing absolute pitch respond in a way consistent with the classic law of perceptual learning, the Hick-Hyman law, which states that response times decrease when there is a greater familiarity with the stimulus. When asked to respond as quickly as possible, the fastest responses times are for notes like C and G (which occur frequently in music), and more slowly for notes like F and B (which occur less frequently in music). The slowest responses occur for rarely occuring pitches, like A# and D#. The response time is proportional to the information content of the pitches, indicating that absolute pitch is a learned phenomenon recent work published at Scientific American (August 29, 2007) entitled "Perfect Pitch: You've Either Got It or You Don't" questions some well-established assumptions about absolute or perfect pitch [link provided by Nancy Darling] Absolute pitch Absolute pitch An Overview of Absolute Pitch absoluter Tanz (German m.) see Ausdruckstanz absolutes Gehör (German n.) the capacity of a person to recognise and name the pitch of a musical sound without prior reference to a sounded note of a different pitch, which capacity is also called 'absolute' or 'perfect' pitch. Several commentators have noted that this capacity is found just as widely among the musically gifted as among those with no special musical talent absolutes Tonhöhe (German f.) the absolute pitch of a note or tone Absolute threshold of hearing or 'ATH', the minimum amplitude (level or strength) of a pure tone that the average ear with normal hearing can hear in a noiseless environment Absolute threshold of hearing from which this extract has been taken Absolute threshold of pain the threshold of pain is the sound pressure level (SPL) beyond which sound becomes unbearable for a human listener. This threshold varies only slightly with frequency. Prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels in excess of the threshold of pain can cause physical damage, potentially leading to hearing impairment and tinnitus Absolute threshold of hearing from which this extract has been taken Absoluut gehoor (Dutch) absolute pitch Absorb incorporate as part of oneself absorbente (Spanish) absorbing (commanding one's interest) Absorbing engrossing the attention of Absorption the loss or dissipation of sound energy in passing through a material or on striking a surface, usually through conversion to heat energy. The term may also refer to the property of a medium, material or object to DAMP sound energy. That part of the sound striking a surface which is not absorbed is either reflected or transmitted Absorption from which this extract has been taken Absorption coefficient the fraction of energy which is absorbed on striking any surface. It therefore takes values between 0 and 1, and is usually frequency dependent. In room acoustics, this coefficient, given the symbol a, is expressed as a fraction of the perfect absorption at an open window of equal area. A table such as the following might be consulted for choosing suitable materials for sound insulation in a room or building Absorption coefficient from which this extract has been taken abspielen (German) to play a tune, to finish playing, to play oneself to exhaustion Absprache (German f.) agreement abstammen (German) be descended Abstammung (German f.) descent Abstand (s.), Abstände (pl.) (German m.) spacing, space, interval (of time) Abstand halten (German) keep one's distance Abstand nehmen von (German) refrain from (figurative) abstauben (German) dust absteigendes Intervall (German n.) descending interval absteigende Tonarten (German f.pl.) descending scales or modes Abstellraum (German m.) box-room abstimmen (mit) (German) to harmonize (with) Abstinence, Days of days when the eating of meat is not permitted (in which case fish replaced meat), as opposed to Fast Days when only one full meal is allowed in 24 hours abstoßen (German) or abgestoßen, play notes detached, play staccato (German) in organ playing, to take off a stop abstossen (German) or abgestossen, play notes detached, play staccato (German) in organ playing, to take off a stop abstr. abbreviation of 'abstract' or 'abstracted' Abstracción (Spanish f.) abstraction Abstract in art, achieving effect by form and colour rather than by realism a summary of the text of a book, journal article, thesis, etc. An abstract should include the main points, and not merely contain a description of the content. Abstracts are often found in indexes, such as RILM Abstracts Abstract to extract, to remove Abstract ballet ballet can follow a particular storyline, in which case it is described as being ballet d'action, or it can be designed only to satisfy particular choreographic ends, in which case it is termed 'abstract ballet'. Many choreographers have rejected this concept, arguing that, because dancers are human, no ballet can be entirely abstract. The term was first mentioned in connection with Massine's Ode (1928) in which Diaghileff attempted to put the vogue of abstract painting, then a novelty, on to the stage Abstract dance like abstract ballet, a dance designed only to satisfy particular choreographic ends Abstract dance Abstracted inattentive, distracted Abstracten (German f. pl.) the tracker mechanism of an organ (archaic) Abstract hip hop a subgenre of alternative hip hop that differs from other hip hop music largely in the content of the lyrics. In stark contrast to gangsta rap, which deals with living in poor urban neighborhoods and real or imagined aspects of gang life, abstract hip hop deals with topics that usually have no association with the hip hop culture Abstract hip hop from which this extract has been taken Abstraction abstract or visionary idea, abstract qualities (for example, in art), absent-mindedness Abstract music see 'absolute music' a term applied to music whose style is 'dull', 'dry' or 'academic' abstracto (Spanish) abstract Abstrakte (German f.) tracker action on an organ abstrakte Musik (German f.) abstract music abstreichen (German) in string playing, to perform a down-bow abstreifen (German) slip off (a shoe or some clothing) Abstrich (s.), Abstriche (pl.) (German m.) in string playing, a 'down-bow' (German m. pl.) cuts in the plural form, for example Abstriche machen, used in the context of (fiscal) constraints which ask for reductions (i.e. cuts) in spending, and/or downsizing of projects [comment provided by Michael Zapf] Astriche machen (German) to make (fiscal) cuts, to lower one's sights Abstriche machen, Irgendwo muss man (German) you can't have everything abstruse hard to understand, profound abstruso (Spanish) abstract absurd inappropriate, illogical, ridiculous absurde (French) absurd Absurdité (French f.) absurdity Absurdity something that is absurd absurdo (Spanish) absurd abt abbreviation of 'about' Abt. abbreviation of Abteilung (German: department - the equivalent English abbreviation is 'dept.') Abt (German m.) abbot abtasten (German) to scan Abtastrate (German f.) sampling rate Abtei (German f.) abbey Abteil (German n.) compartment Abteilung (s.), Abteilungen (pl.) (German f.) part, section, division (of a book, etc.) abtragen (German) clear, level, wear out, pay off abtreten (German f.) exit (in the Theatre) abuchelar (Spanish) boo Abucheo (Spanish m.) booing Abuela (Spanish f.) grandmother Abuelo (Spanish m.) grandfather Abuelos (Spanish m. pl.) grandparents Abu ibn Sina or Avicenna (8980-1036) a celebrated Arabian physician who wrote a treatise on music in Farsi. In this field, his contribution was an improvement over al Farabi's work and was far ahead of knowledge prevailing elsewhere on the subject. Doubling with the fourth and fifth was a 'great' step towards the harmonic system and doubling with the third seems to have also been allowed. Ibn Sina observed that in the series of consonances represented by (n + 1)/n, the ear is unable to distinguish them when n = 45. Abulia (Spanish f.) lack of will-power Abúlico (Spanish) weak-willed abultado (Spanish) bulky abultar (Spanish) exaggerate a bulto (Spanish) roughly ab uno disce omnes (Latin) one is very like another Abu Ol-Qasem Mansur (c.934-1020) see 'Firdausi' a buon fresco (Italian) (painting) on plaster while it is still wet ab urbe condita (Latin) or AUC, from the foundation of the city (usually a reference to Rome) Aburguesamiento (Spanish m.) conversion to a middle-class way of life aburguesarse (Spanish) become middle-class Aburrimiento (Spanish m.) boredom aburrir (Spanish) bore abusare di (Italian) abuse, take advantage of abusare de la bebida (Spanish) drink too much Abuse misuse, use improperly abusif (m.), abusive (f.) (French) excessive, mistaken (usage) abusivo (Spanish) excessive Abuso (Spanish m.) abuse abuso di confidenza (Italian) breach of confidence abv. abbreviation of 'above' abwandeln (German) modify abwärts (German) down, downwards Abwe or chekeré, beaded gourds of the Lucumi, Yoruba speakers in Cuba played, for example, in ceremonies celebrating ritual 'birthdays' Abwe abwechseln (German, literally 'change', 'exchange' or 'alternate') or Abzuwechseln, to change one's instrument, for example, a clarinetist changing from a B flat to an A instrument, or a flautist switching to a piccolo in polyphony, mit abwechselnden Chören, antiphonally, alternate groups of voices in organ playing, mit abwechselnden Manualen with alternate manuals in dance, alternating between different, sometimes repeated, strains or movements abwechselnd (German) alternate, alternately, alternating abwechselnden Manualen, mit (German) with alternating manuals abwechslungsreich (German) varied abweichen (German) deviate Abweichung (German f.) deviation, difference Abweisung (German f.) rejection, rebuff abwertend (German) pejorative abwesend (German) absent, absent-minded Abwesenheit (German f.) absence, absent-mindedness abwischen (German) wipe, wipe off Abyección (Spanish f.) wretchedness abyecto (Spanish) abject Abysmal extremely bad Abysmal ignorance profound ignorance Abyss immeasurable depth (for example, of despair) abzahlen (German) pay off (for example, a debt) abzählen (German) count Abzahlung (German f.) instalment abzeichnen (German) copy, initial Abziehbild (German n.) print (photograph), run off (copies) Abzug (German m.) in lute tuning, to lower the pitch of the lowest note by a tone (im Abzug), or to add an extra, open string below a stopped string (mit abzügen) (German m.) scordatura (German m.) an appoggiatura that makes a decrescendo when moving to the principal note, or a three note ornament that is like an 'inverted mordent' (that is, the written note, the note above and returning to the original note) (German m.) print (photograph), proof (from a printer) abzüglich (German) less abzuwechseln see abwechseln