M

Abbreviation for mano or main, meaning hand.

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M.M.

Abbreviation for Maezel's Metronome.

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Ma

But. Used with other words, e.g. lento ma non troppo, slow but not too slowly.

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Maggiore

Major, referring to mode.

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Maestoso

Majestically.

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Main

Hand.

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Major

The designation for certain intervals and scale. A key based on a major scale is called a major key. The pattern for the major scale is:

whole	whole	half	whole	whole	whole	half
step	step	step	step	step	step	step

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Major chord

A triad composed of a root, major third, and perfect fifth.

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Major intervals

Major intervals are from the tonic to the second, third, and perfect sixth and seventh degress as they occur in the major scale. Any minor interval enlarged by one semitone becomes a major interval.

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Major Locrian Scale

See Scales and chords.

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Mancando

Fading away

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Marcato

Emphasized, heavily accented.

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Measure

A group of beats containing a primary accent and one or more secondary accents, indicated by the placement of bar lines on the staff. The space between two bar lines.

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Medesimo

The same.

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Mediant

The third degree of the major of minor scale. The triad built on this degree is labeled iii in the major scale, III in the natural minor scale, and III⁺ in the harmonic minor scale.

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Medieval

The period prior to the Renaissance, c. 500-1450, marking the music of the early Christian church.

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Melody

In general, a succession of musical tones. It represents the linear or horizontal aspect of music.

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Meno

Less.

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Meno mosso

Less motion.

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Meter

The structure of notes in a regular pattern of accented and unaccented beats within a measure, indicated at the beginning of a composition by a meter signature.

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Meter signature

The numbers placed at the beginning of a composition to indicate the meter of the music. The upper number indicates the beats in a measure; the lower number tells what kind of a note will receive one beat. This is sometimes known as a Time Signature.

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Metronome

Invented by Maelzel in 1816, the instrument is used to indicate the exact tempo of a composition. An indication such as M.M. 60 indicates that the pendulum, with a weight at the bottom, makes 60 beats per minute. A slider is moved up and down the pendulum to decrease and increase the tempo. M.M. =80 means that the time value of a quarter note is the equivalent of one pendulum beat when the slider is set at 80.

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Mezzo

Half, Medium

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Mezzo forte

Medium loud.

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Mezzo piano

Medium soft.

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Mi

In solmization, the third degree of the major scale.

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Middle Ages

European historical period between roughly A.D. 500 and 1450. More about this time period.

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Middle C

The note C in the middle of the Grand staff, and near the middle of the piano.

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Minor

The designation for certain intervals and scales. A key based on a minor scale is called a minor key. The three types of minor scales include natural, harmonic, and melodic, which is used infrequently in choral music. The patterns for natural and harmonic scales are:

	natural:	whole	half	whole	whole	half	whole	whole
		step	step	step	step	step	step	step

	harmonic:	whole	half	whole	whole	whole	1-1/2	half
		step	step	step	step	step	steps	step

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            melodic:

	(ascending):	whole	half	whole	whole	whole	whole	half
		step	step	step	step	step	step	step

	(descending):	whole	whole	half	whole	whole	half	whole
		step	step	step	step	step	step	step

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Misterioso

Mysteriously.

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Mit

With.

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Mode

Any scalewise arrangement of pitches; more generally, the term refers to the patterns upon which medieval music was structured, the patterns which preceded the development of major and minor scales and tonality.

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Moderato

Moderate speed.

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Modern

Music written in the Twentieth century or contempory music.

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Modulation

The process of changing from one key to another within a composition.

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Molto

Very. Used with other terms, e.g. molto allegro.

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Mordent

"Biting." An ornament consisting of an alteration (once or twice) of the written note by playing the one immediately below it (lower mordent), or above it (upper, or inverted, mordent) and then playing the note again.

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Morendo

Gradually decreasing in volume; dying away.

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Mosso

Rapid. Meno mosso, less rapid. Piu mosso, more rapid.

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Motive

A short melodic or rhythmic pattern.

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Moto

Motion. Con moto, with motion.

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Movable Do

Generally any system of solmization so designed that the syllables can be used in transposition to any key; "Do" remaining as the tonal center, regardless of key.

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Music

The organization of sounds with some degree of rhythm, melody, and harmony.

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Music theory

The study of how music is put together.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Some definitions and terms excerpted from
Belwin Pocket Dictionary of Music: Music Theory Dictionary
By Dr. William Lee
Students may purchase a copy for home use at cost

Many thanks to Dearest for everything!