Music glossary

Mandolin
A small stringed instrument descended from the lute.

Marcato
It.: "marked", "emphasized".

March
Music for marching, usually in quick 2/4 or 6/8 time or slow 4/4 time.

Mattinata
Morning song.

Melody
An arrangement of single notes in a musically expressive succession.

Meno
It.: "less".

Meno mosso
It.: "less speed", "slower".

Mezza voce
With a moderate tone.

Mezzo forte
It.: "half strong". Moderately loud.

Mezzo soprano
Female voice midway between a soprano and alto range.

MIDI
Abbreviation of "Musical Instruments Digital Interface".

Minacciando
It.: "threatening".

Moderato
It.: "moderately". Often used together with other tempo markings, such as "andante moderato" (moderately slow) and "allegro moderato" (moderately fast).

Molto
It.: "much", "very".

Monody
Italian early 17th century song form. The monody was always composed for a solo voice with an accompanying instrument.

Mosso
It.: "animated", "moving".

Moto
It.: "movement".

MP3
A file format for sounds. Popular for transferring music via the Internet.

Musical
Originally named "musical play". A 20th Century equivalent to the operetta. The musical originated in the USA.