The idea of this page (very much a work in progress) is to allow pupils and visitors to look up the origin of the words which make up musical terms. Hopefully, this will enable them to remember the meaning more reliably and to help them deduce the likely meaning of related words.
Words are bundled into thematic groups for browsing. To search for a speicific word, use Ctrl+F and then enter word into the text box which appears.
I’d like to stress that this page does not represent my own research but merely links to two online etymological dictionaries: Etymonline & Your Dictionary and I’m endebted to them for free access to the fruit of their labours.
If all you really need is to check the meaning of concepts for Standard Grade; Int 1; Int 2; Higher or Advanced Higher Music, then why not visit LTS Learn Listening Online pages, where you’ll also be able to hear a music illustration of each concept.
Types of composition: anthem; antihpon; arabesque; aria; catanta; chorale; concerto; étude; fugue; glee; madrigal; miserere; motet; opera; oratorio; overture; passion; requiem mass; round; sonata; Stabat Mater; symphony; tone poem; song cycle;
Other types of dance:
Sound production: acoustic; amplify; analog; digital; echo; feedback; FM (frequency modulation); fold back; interference; MIDI; monophonic; mp3 (music protocol 3); projection; quadraphonic; reverberation; silence; sound; stereo; track;
Words & Music