Homepage > Documents > Instrument Names and Orchestral Terms
Common instrument names and orchestral terms in English, Italian, French and German
Instrument names and orchestral terms
This page gives an overview of instrument names and orchestral terms in English, Italian, French and German. Frequently used instrument names are presented in singular and plural, and instrument name abbreviations are shown in the last column of the table. Names and orchestral terms are given for various categories in separate tables. Reference sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
Use this page in landscape mode on mobile devices.
Instrument names
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Voice | Voce | Voix | Stimme | Voc. |
Strings | Archi | Cordes | Streich-instrumente | |
Violin(s) | Violino(-i) | Violon(s) | Violine(n), Geige(n) | V., Vn. |
Viola(s) | Viola, Viole | Alto(s) | Bratsche(n) | Vla., Va., Br. |
Cello(s) | Violoncello(-i) | Violoncelle(s) | Violoncello(-e) | Vlc., Vc. |
Double Bass(es) | Contrabbasso(-i) | Contrebasse(s) | Kontrabass(-bässe) | Cb., Kb. |
Harp(s) | Arpa, Arpe | Harpe(s) | Harfe(n) | |
Double-action harp | Arpa a doppio movimento | Harpe à double mouvement | Doppelpedalharfe | Harp, Arp., Hpe. |
Woodwinds | Legni/Fiati | Bois | Holzbläser | |
Piccolo | Flauto piccolo, Ottavino | Petite Flûte | Kleine Flöte, Pikkoloflöte | Picc. |
Flute(s) | Flauto(-i) | Flûte(s) | Flöte(n) | Fl. |
Alto flute | Flauto contralto | Flûte alto en sol | Altflöte | A.Fl. |
Bass flute | Flauto basso | Flûte basse | Baßflöte | B.Fl. |
Oboe(s) | Oboe, Oboi | Hautbois | Oboe, Hoboe, Oboen | Ob., Hb. |
English horn | Corno inglese | Cor anglais | Englisch Horn | E.H. |
Oboe d'amore in A | Oboe d'amore | Hautbois d'amour | Liebesoboe | Ob.d'A. |
Eb Clarinet | Clarinetto piccolo in mib | Clarinette en mib | Es Klarinette | Eb.Cl., Eb.Kl. |
Clarinet(s) | Clarinetto(-i) | Clarinette(s) | Klarinette(n) | Cl., Kl. |
Bass clarinett | Clarione, Clarinetto basso | Clarinette basse | Bassklarinette | B.Cl., Bkl. |
Bassoon(s) | Fagotto(-i) | Basson(s) | Fagott(e) | Bn., Fg. |
Contrabassoon(s) | Contrafagotto(-i) | Contre-basson(s) | Kontrafagott(e) | C.Bn., C.Fag., C.Bssn., Con.Bn., C.Bon. |
Saxophone(s) | Sassofono(-i) | Saxophone(s) | Saxophon(e) | Sax. |
Harmonica | Armonica a bocca | Harmonica à bouche | Mundharmonika | |
Recorder | Flauto dolce, Flauto a becco | Flûte à bec, Flûte douce | Blockflöte | |
Ocarina | Ocarina | Ocarina | Okarina | |
Brass | Ottoni | Cuivres | Blech-instrumente | |
French Horn(s) | Corno(-i) | Cor(s) | Horn, Hörner | Hn., Cor. |
Trumpet(s) | Tromba, Trombe | Trompette(s) | Trompete(n) | Tr., Tbe. (pl.) |
Cornet(s) | Cornetto(-i) | Cornet(s) | Kornett(e) | Crnt., Kor. |
Flugelhorn | Flicorno | Bugle a pistons | Flügelhorn | Flg. |
Trombone(s) | Trombone(-i) | Trombone(s) | Posaune(n) | Trb., Tbni. (pl), Tbn., Pos. |
Bass trombone | Trombone basso | Trombone basse | Baßposaune | B.Tbn. |
Valve trombone | Trombone a pistoni, trombone a macchina | Trombone à pistons | Ventilposaune | |
Tuba(s) | Tuba | Tuba(s) | Tuba | Tuba |
Bass Tuba(s) | Tuba di basso | Tuba basse | Basstuba | B.Tuba, Btb. |
Baritone Horn(s), Euphonium(s) | Bombarda, Flicorno basso | Baryton, Euphonium, Euphonion, Saxhorn tuba, Tuba ténor | Euphonion, Baryton | Bar., Euph. |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Percussion | Percussione / Batteria | Batterie | Schlagzeug | |
(Wooden with Definite Pitch) | ||||
Marimba | Marimba | Marimba | Marimba, Marimbaphon | Mar. |
Xylophone | Silofono, Xilofono, Gigelira | Xylophone, Claquebois | Xylophon, Strohfiedel | Xyl. |
(Metal with Definite Pitch) | ||||
Glockenspiel, Orchestral Bells | Campanelli | Jeu de timbres, Carillon | Glockenspiel | Glck., Glsp. |
Vibraphone | Vibrafono | Vibraphone | Vibraphon | Vib. |
Tubular Bells, (Bell) Chimes | Campani tubulari | (Tubes de) Cloches | Glocken, Röhrenglocken | Ch., Camp., Cloch., Glk. |
Celesta | Celesta, Celeste | Célesta | Celesta | |
Gong | Gong | Gong | Gong | |
Antique Cymbals, Crotales | Crotali, cimbali | Cymbales antiques, crotales | (Antike) Zimbeln, Crotales, Antike Cymbeln | Crot. |
Handbells | Campanella a mano | Clochettes à mains | Handglocken | |
Almglocken | Campane da pastore | Sonnailles de troupeau | Almglocken | |
Steel drum | Tamburo d'acciaio | Tambour d'acier | Stahltrommel | |
Musical saw | Sega cantante | Scie musicale | Spielsäge | |
Anvil | Incudine | Enclume | Amboss | |
Flexatone | Flessatono | Flexatone | Flexaton | |
Tubaphone | Tubofono | Tubaphone | Tubaphon | |
(Skin-covered with Definite Pitch) | ||||
Timpani (pl), Kettle drums | Timpano(-i) | Timbale(s) | Pauke(n) | Timp., Pk. |
Roto-tom | Roto-tom-tom | Roto-tom | Tom-Tom-Spiel | |
(Other with Definite Pitch) | ||||
Slide whistle | Flauto a culisse | Sifflet à coulisse | Lotosflöte | |
Musical glasses | Bicchieri di vetro | Coupes de verre | Gläserspiel | |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Wooden with Indefinite Pitch) | ||||
Woodblock | Cassetina, Blocco di legno (cinese) | Wood bloc, Bloc de bois | Holzblock | |
Temple blocks | Blocchi di legno coreani, Blocchi cinesi | Temple-blocs | Tempelblöcke | |
Claves | Claves | Claves | Claves, Holzstab | |
Castanets | Castagnette, nacchere | Castagnettes | Kastagnetten | Cas., Kas. |
Agogo-bells (wooden) | Agogo di legno | Agogo de bois | Holzglocken | |
Guiro | Guiro | Güiro | Guiro | |
Maracas | Maracas | Maracas | Maracas | |
Cabasa | Cabasa | Cabaza, calebasse | Cabaza | |
Jaw bone (of an ass), quijada | Mascella d'asino | Quijada | Schlagrassel | |
Vibra slap | Vibra slap | Vibra slap | Vibraslap | |
Slit drum | Tamburo di legno a fessura | Tambour de bois, tambour à fente | Schlitztrommel | |
(Metal with Indefinite Pitch) | ||||
Finger cymbals | Cimbalini | Cymbales digitales | Fingerzimbeln | |
Cymbals (pl) | Piatti (pl) | Cymbales (pl) | Becken (pl) | Cymb., Ptti., Bck. |
Crash cymbals | Piatti, cinelli | Cymbales | Becken-Paar, Becken gewönlich | |
Suspended cymbal | Piatto sospeso | Cymbale suspendue | Hängendes Becken, Becken freihängend | |
Sizzle cymbal | Piatto chiodati | Cymbale sur tiges | Nietenbecken | |
Hi-hat cymbal | Hi-hat, piatti a pedale | Cymbale à pédale, cymbales charleston | Hi-Hat Becken, Fussbecken | |
Chinese cymbal | Piatto cinese | Cymbale chinoise | Chinesische Becken | |
Triangle | Triangolo | Triangle | Triangel | Trgl. |
Cowbells | Campanelli di vacca, Campanelli da mucca, Campanacci | Cloches de vache, Gencerros | Herdenglocken, Kuhglocken, Viehschellen | |
Agogo | Agogo | Agogo | Agogo | |
Tam-tam | Tamtam | Tam-tam | Tamtam | |
Gong | Gong | Gong | Gong | |
Wind gong (Feng Luo) | Gong di vento | Gong à vent | Windgong | |
Bells | Campane | Cloches | Glocken | |
Bell tree | Mezzaluna | Cloches pavillon | Schellenbaum | |
Sleighbells | Sonagli, sonagliera | Grelots | (Roll)Schellen | |
Bell plate | Campana in lastra di metallo | Cloche en lame de métal | PLattenglocke | |
Cymbal tongs, metal castanets | Castagnette di ferro | Castagnettes de fer | Gabelbecken | |
Iron pipe | Tubo di ferro | Tuyau de fer | Eisenröhre | |
Chains | Catena | Chaîne | Kettenrassel | |
(Skin-covered with Indefinite Pitch) | ||||
Snare drum, Side drum | Tamburo, Piccolo Cassa, Tamburo piccolo | Tambour, Caisse claire | (Kleine) Trommel | Sn.Dr., C.C., Tr. |
With snares on/off (snare drum) | colle/senza le corde | avec/sans timbres | mit/ohne Schnarrsaite | |
Piccolo snare drum | Tamburo acuto | Petit tambour | Pikkolotrommel | |
Field drum | Tamburo militare | Tambour militaire | Rührtrommel, Militärtrommel | |
Tenor drum | Tamburo rullante, cassa rullante | Caisse roulante | Rührtrommel, Wirbeltrommel, Tenortrommel | |
Bongo drums | Bongos, Bonghi | Bongos | Bongos | |
Tom-toms | Tom-toms | Tom-toms | Tom-toms | |
Timbales | Timpanetti, Timbales latino-americani | Timbales Cubaines, Timbales Créoles | Timbales, Kuba-Pauken | |
Conga drums | Tumbas | Congas | Congas, Conga-Trommel, Tumba | |
Bata drums | Tamburo bata | Tambour bata | Bata-Trommel | |
Bass Drum (upright/on side) | (Gran) Cassa, Tamburone, Tamburo grande (orizzontale) | Grosse Caisse (verticale/à plat) | Grosse Trommel (aufrecht/liegend) | B.Dr., Gr.Cassa, Gr.Tr., G.C. |
Tambourine | Tamburino, Tamburo Basco | Tambour de Basque | Schellentrommel, Tambourin | Tmbn., Tamb. |
Frame drum, Tambourine without jingles | Tamburino senza cimbali | Tambour sur cadre | Rahmentrommel | |
Tabor | Tamburo | Tambour de Provence, Tambourin | Tambourin | |
Djembe | Djembe | Djembe | Djembe | |
Tambora | Tambora | Tambora | Tambora | |
Chinese tom-tom | Tom-tom cinese | Tom-tom chinois | Chinesische Tom-tom | |
Tabla | Tabla | Tabla | Tabla Bamya | |
Lion's roar, Jackdaw | Ruggito del leone | Rugissement de lion, Tambour à corde | Löwengebrüll | |
Cuica, Rommelpot | Tamburo a frizione, Puttiputti | Tambour de friction | Reibtrommel, Brummtopf | |
(Other with Indefinite Pitch) | ||||
Whip, Slapstick | Frusta | Fouet | Peitsche | |
Rattle, Ratchet | Raganella | Crécelle | Ratsche | |
Police whistle | Fischietto a pallina | Sifflet à roulette | Trillerpfeife | |
Bird whistle | Richiamo per uccelli | Appeau | Vogelpfeife | |
Duck call | Gracidio di anitra | Conard | Entenquak | |
Mouth siren | Sirena a fiato | Sirène à bouche | Sirenenpfeife | |
Siren | Sirena a mano | Sirène | Sirene | |
Auto horn | Clacson | Trompe d'auto | Autohupe | |
Klaxon horn | Clacson | Klaxon | Hupe, Claxon | |
Sandpaper blocks | Carta vetrata | Papier de verre | Sandpapier, Sandblöcke | |
Berimbao | Berimbao | Berimbao | Berimbao | |
Stones | Pietra sonora | Phonolithes | Klingsteine | |
Bamboo wind chimes | Tubi di bambú | Bambou suspendu | Bambusröhre | |
Wooden wind chimes | Bacchette di legno sospese | Baguettes de bois suspendues | Holz-Windglocken | |
Glass wind chimes | Bacchette di vetro sospese | Baguettes de verre suspendues | Glas-Windglocken | |
Metal wind chimes | Bacchette di metallo sospese | Baguettes métalliques suspendues | Metall-Windglocken | |
Shell wind chimes | Bacchette di conchiglia sospese | Baguettes de coquille suspendues | Muschel-Windglocken | |
Thunder sheet | Tuono a pugno | Tonnerre à poignée | ||
Wind machine | Macchina del vento | Machine à vent | ||
Pistol shot | Pistolettata | Coup de pistolet | Pistolenschuss | |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
---|---|---|---|---|
(Keyboards) | ||||
Pianoforte, Piano | Pianoforte, Piano | Pianoforte, Piano | Pianoforte, Piano, Klavier | Pno., Pfte. |
Harpsichord | Cembalo, Clavicembalo, Arpicordo | Clavecin | Cembalo, Clavicembalo, Arpicordo | |
Organ | Organo | Orgue | Orgel | Org. |
Accordion | Fisarmonica | Accordéon | Akkordeon, Ziehharmonika, Handharmonika | |
(Fretted strings) | ||||
Guitar | Chitarra | Guitare | Gitarre | Gtr. |
Rhythm/Electric guitar | Chitarra battente / elettrica | Guitarre de jazz / électrique | Schlag- (Rhythmus) / Elektrische Gitarre | E.Gtr. |
Mandolin | Mandolino | Mandoline | Mandoline | Mand. |
Ukulele | Ukulele | Ukulélé | Ukulele | |
Banjo | Banjo, Bangio | Banjo | Banjo | |
English | Italian | French | German | Abbr. |
Orchestral terms
The table contains a list of frequently used orchestral terms in English, Italian, French and German. For reference sources, see the list at the bottom of the page.
English | Italian | French | German |
---|---|---|---|
muted, mutes on, with mute | con sordino, con sordini | sourdine(s), avec sourdine | mit Dämpfer, gedämpft |
mute | mettere la sordina | mettre le sourdine, étouffer | dämpfen |
take off mutes | via sordini | enlevez les sourdines | Dämpfern weg |
without mute | senza sordino | sans sourdine | ohne Dämpfer |
Strings | |||
bow | arco | archet | Bogen |
with the wood of the bow | col legno | avec le bois | col legno, mit Holz |
tip, point of the bow | testa, punta | tête, pointe | Kopf, Spitze |
at the point of the bow | punta d'arco | (de la) pointe | Spitze |
frog, heel of bow | tallone | hausse, talon | Frosch |
at the frog | al tallone | du talon | am Frosch |
fingerboard | tastiera | touche | Griffbrett |
over the fingerboard | sul tasto, sulla tastiera | sur la touche | am Griffbrett |
bridge | ponticello | chevalier | Steg |
at (near) the bridge | sul ponticello | sur le chevalet, près du chevalet, contre le chevalet | sul ponticello, am Steg |
in the ordinary way, natural (after sul pont., etc.) | modo ordinario (ord.), naturale, normale | mode ordinaire, naturel | gewöhnlich, natürlich, normal |
front (of body) | piano armonico, tavola, armonica | table d'harmonie | Decke |
back (of body) | fondo armonico | fond | Boden |
string | corda | corde | Saite |
on D | sul D | 3 corde (vln) | auf der D Saite |
scordatura | scordatura | scordatura | Skordatur |
change G to F# | sol muta in fa# | changez sol en fa# | G nach Fis umstimmen |
dampen (the string) | velare | étouffer | dämpfen |
no arpeggio (multiple stops) | senza arpeggio | sans arpège | ohne Arpeggio |
desk or stand | leggio | pupitre | Pult |
divided, divisi | divisi (div.) | divisé(e)s (div.) | geteilt (get.) |
not divided, unison, in unison | unisono (unis.), insieme | unis, unisson, simultané | zusammen, einfach, insieme |
divided by stand | divisi da leggii | divisé par pupitres | geteilt pultweise |
divided in 3 parts | div. a 3 | div à 3 | dreifach geteilt |
divided in 4 parts | div. a 4 | div à 4 | vierfach geteilt |
the others (the rest of a string group) | gli altri, le altre | les autres | die Andere |
near the sounding board, près de la table, quasi gitara (harp) | presso sulla tavola | près de la table | Resonanztisch |
bisbigliando, whispering (harp) | bisbigliando | chuchotant | flüsternd |
dampen, sons étouffes (harp) | velare, coprire | sons étouffes | Dämpfen |
laissez vibrer, let vibrate (harp) | lasciar vibrare | laissez vibrer | klingen lassen |
Solo vs. multiple players | |||
1st | 1° | 1er | 1ste |
2d | 2° | 2e | 1te |
a 2, both | a 2 | à 2 | zu 2 |
solo | solo | seul | allein |
all | tutti | tous | alle |
Woodwinds | |||
mouthpiece | imboccatura a becco, bocchino a becco | bec | Schnabel, Mundstück |
embouchure | imboccatura | embouchure | Mundloch |
finger hole | buco | trou | Griffloch |
head/upper/lower joint | testata/pezzo superiore/pezzo inferiore | corps superieur/corps de la main gauche/corps de la main droite | Kopfstück/Oberstück/Unterstück |
closed, open hole | foro chiuso, aperto | trou fermé, ouvert | geschlossenes, offenes Griffloch |
key hole | foro della chiave | trou de clef | Klappenloch |
register key | portavoce | clef du pouce | Überblasklappe |
bell | padiglione, campana | pavillon, bonne | Schallbecher, Stütze |
reed | ancia | anche | Rohrblatt |
double reed | ancia doppia | anche double | doppeltes Rohrblatt |
diatonic (harmonica) | diatonico | diatonique | diatonisch |
chromatic (harmonica) | cromatico | chromatique | chromatisch |
blow (harmonica) | soffiare | souffler | blasen |
draw (harmonica) | inspirare | inspirer | einatmen |
Brass | |||
mouthpiece | imboccatura, bocchino | embouchure | Mundstück |
valves | pistoni | pistons, cylindres | Ventile |
slide | pompa mobile a coulisse | coullisse | Zug |
tuning slide | pompa d'accordo | corps de recharge | Stimmbogen, Knie |
bell | campana | pavillon | Schnallstück, Stürze |
bells in the air, bells up | campane in aria, padiglinoni in alto | pavillons en l'air | Schalltrichter auf, Stürze hoch |
half (a string group) | le metà | la moitié | die Hälfte |
stopped (horns) | chiuso, chiusi | bouché(s) | gestopft |
brassy, brassed tone | metallizare i suoni, produrre suoni metallici | cuivré(s) | schmetternd |
stopped | chiuso | étouffer, bouché | gestopft |
stopped notes | suoni chiusi | sons bouchés, sons éouffés | Stopftöne |
open | aperto, aperti | ouvert(s) | offen |
English | Italian | French | German |
English | Italian | French | German |
---|---|---|---|
Percussion | |||
single stroke | colpo singolo | coup single | einfacher Schlag |
flam | colpo preceduto da acciaccatura | flam | einfacher Vorschlag |
drag | gruppetto di due note | drag | doppelter Vorschlag |
ruff | ruff, rullo | ruff | dreifacher Vorschlag |
open/closed (or buzz or crush) roll | rullo rimbalzato/stretto | roulement ouvert/fermé | offener/dichter Wirbel |
choked, dry | secco | sec | trocken |
let ring | lasciar vibrare | laisser vibrer, laisser résonner | klingen lassen, ausklingen lassen |
soft sticks | bachette molli, bachette morbide | baguettes molles, baguettes douces | mit weiche Schlegeln |
hard/medium/soft sticks | bachette dure/medie/soffici (morbidi) | baguettes dures/moyens/doux (mous) | mit harten/mitteln/weichen Schlegeln |
wooden sticks | bacchette di legno | baguettes en bois, baguettes de bois | Holzschlegel |
rubber mallets | bacchette con l'estremita di gomma | baguettes en caoutchouc | Gummischlegel |
plastic mallets | bacchette di plastica | baguettes en plastique | Kunststoffschlegel |
brass/steel mallets | bacchette d'ottone/d'acciaio | baguettes de laiton / en acier | Messing-/Stahlschlegel |
wire brushes | spazzola | brosses | Besen, Stahlbesen |
hand | mano | main | Hand |
finger | dito | doigt | Finger |
finger nail | ungchia | ongle de la main | Fingernagel |
coin | moneta | pièce de monnaie | Geldstück |
fist | pugno | poing | Faust |
triangle beater | battente da triangolo | baguette de triangle | Triangelschlegel, Triangelstab |
snare drum sticks | bacchette da tamburo | baguettes de tambour | Trommelstöcke |
timpani mallets | bacchette per timpani | baguettes de timbales | Paukenschlegel |
bass drum beater | bacchetta da grancassa | mailloche | Schlegel for große Trommel |
guiro scraper | raspa | râpe | Raspel |
English | Italian | French | German |
English | Italian | French | German |
---|---|---|---|
Keyboards | |||
key | tasto | touche | Taste |
damper | smorzo, smorzatoio, smorzatore | étouffoir | Dämpfer |
hammer | martello, martelletto | marteau | Hammer |
damper pedal (piano) | pedale di risonanza, pedale del forte | péda;le forte, pédale de résonance | Fortepedal |
sostenuto pedal (piano) | pedale tonale, pedale solleva smorzatori | pédale de prolongation | Tonhaltepedal |
una corde (piano, single string) | una corde | una corda, avec pédale sourdine, aved céleste | una corda, mit Verschiebung |
tre corde (piano, all strings) | tre corde | toutes les cordes | alle Saiten |
register, stop (organ, harpsichord) | registro | registre | Register |
coupler (organ, harpsichord) | accoppiamento | accouplement | Koppel |
rank (organ) | tirante | registre, tirant | Zug |
manual (organ) | manuale | manuel | Manual |
pedal clavier (organ) | pedaliera | clavier de pédalier, pédalier | Pedalklaviatur |
division, organ (organ) | organo | orgue | Orgel, Werk |
Great Organ | grand'organo | grand orgue | Hauptwerk |
Swell Organ | corpo d'organo in cassa espressiva | récit | Schwellwerk, Oberwerk |
Choir Organ | organo corale, organo del coro | orgue de choeur | Chororgel |
Positive Organ | organo positivo | positif | Positiv |
Echo Organ | organo eco | clavier d'écho | Fernwerk, Echowerk |
Pedal Organ | pedale dell'organo, corrispondente al pedale | ensemble des jeux de pédale | Pedalwerk |
flue pipe, labial pipe (organ) | canna add anima, canna labiale | tuyau à bouche | Lippenpfeife |
reed pipe (organ) | canna ad ancia | tuyau à anche | Zungenpfeife |
foundation stops (organ) | registro di fondo | fonds | Grundstimme |
flute stops (organ) | registro di flauti | jeux de flûte | Flötenwerk |
string stops (organ) | registri violeggianti, registri gambati | jeux de gambe | streichende Stimmen |
reed stops (organ) | registri ad ancia, registri a lingua | jeux d'anches | Zungenstimmen |
bellows (accordion) | mantice | soufflet | Balg |
treble shift (acccordion) | piccolo | registre de la partie chantante | Diskantregister |
bass shift (accordion) | registro basso | registre des basses | Baßregister |
Fretted Strings | |||
fret | tasto | sillet, frette | Bund |
plectrum, pick | plettro | plectre, médiator | Plektrum |
capotasto, capo, barre | capotasto | capodastre, sillet | Kapodaster, Saitenfessel |
English | Italian | French | German |
English | Italian | French | German |
---|---|---|---|
Voice | |||
chest voice | voce di petto | voix de poitrine | Bruststimme |
head voice | voce di testa | voix de tête | Kopfstimme |
falsetto | falsetto | voix de fausset, fausset | Falsett, Falsettstimme, Fistelimme |
vocal cords, vocal fields | corde vocali | cordes vocales | Stimmbänder |
Structure and melody | |||
an important line | voce principale | voix principale | Hauptstimme |
a subsidiary line | voce secondaria | voix secondaire | Nebenstimme |
English | Italian | French | German |
Reference sources
Here's a list of reference sources:
- Samuel Adler, The Study of Orchestration, 2nd Edition W.W. Norton and Company, New York, ISBN 0-393-95807-8 (1989).
- Alfred Blatter, Instrumentation and Orchestration, 2nd Edition, Schirmer Books, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Belmont CA, USA, ISBN 0-534-25187-0 (1997).
- Sem Dresden, Algemene Muziekleer, 12de druk (in Dutch) Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen, the Netherlands (1972).
- Cecil Forsyth, Orchestration, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, ISBN 0-486-24383-4 (1982).
- Elizabeth A.H. Green, The Modern Conductor, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA, ISBN 0-13-590216-9 (1981).
- Kent Kennan, Donald Grantham, The Technique of Orchestration, 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, ISBN 0-13-466327-6 (1997).
- Norman Del Mar, Anatomy of the Orchestra, Faber & Faber, London, ISBN 0-571-13185-9 (1983).