Music glossary

Variation
A repetition (usually one of several) of a theme in a changed or elaborated form.

Viol
A medieval stringed musical instrument, played with a bow and held vertically on the knees or between the legs.

Viola
An instrument of the violin family, larger then the violin and of lower pitch.

Viola da gamba
A family of bowed string instruments popular during the 16th century.

Violin
A musical instrument with four strings of treble pitch played with a bow.

Virtuoso
A term used for musicians with very high technical standards.

Vivace
It.: "lively".