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Scan 42
A dictionary of musical terms, 1891
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1Diaphony. In Greek music discordant sounds, or dissonance; but afterwards applied to the harmonic combination of voices.
2Diaschisma (Gk.) An approximate half of a limma.
3Diastema (Gk.) An interval.
4Diatessaron (Gk.) The interval of a fourth.
5Diatonic. (1) One of the three genera of music among the Greeks, the other two being the chromatic and enharmonic. (2) The modern major and minor scales. (3) Chords, intervals, and melodic progressions, &c., belonging to one key-scale. A diatonic chord is one having no note chromatically altered. A diatonic interval is one formed by two notes of a diatonic scale unaltered by accidentals. A diatonic melody is one not including notes belonging to more than one scale. A diatonic modulation is one by which a key is changed to another closely related to it.
6Diaulion (Gk.) An air played upon the aulos or flute.
7Diazeuxis (Gk.) The separation of two tetrachords by a tone.
8Dichord. (1) An instrument having two strings. (2) An instrument having two strings to each note. [Bichord.]
9Diecetto (I.) A composition for ten instruments.
10Diesare (I.) To sharpen.
11Diéser (F.) To sharpen.
12Dièse or Diésis (F.) The sign #.
13Diesis (I.) The difference between a diatonic and chromatic semitone; represented by the ratio 128 : 125.
14Dièze (F.) A sharp, #.
15Difficile (I.) Difficult.
16Digitorium. A small instrument, invented by M. Marks, for strengthening and giving flexibility to the fingers for pianoforte-playing.
17Dilettante (I.) [Amateur.]
18Diludium. An interlude.
19Diluendo (I.) Wasting away, diminishing; decrescendo.
20Diminished. Made less. (1) Diminished intervals are those made less than minor. But, according to some authors, a perfect interval becomes diminished when reduced by one semitone; whereas major intervals do not become diminished until reduced by two semitones. (2) Diminished subjects or counter-subjects are those introduced with notes half the value of those in which they were first enunciated. (3) A diminished triad is the chord consisting of two thirds on the subtonic, e.g.: B, D, F in the key of C.
21Diminué (F.) Diminished.
22Diminuito (I.) Diminished.
23Diminuendo. (I.) Decreasing in power of sound.
24Diminution. The imitation of a subject in notes of less value than the original.
25Din-din. An Indian instrument of the cymbal class.
26Dioxia (Gk.) The interval of a fifth. This term was afterwards superseded by diapente.
27Direct. A sign (w) used at the end of a line to indicate the note next to be sung or played.
28— motion. [Motion.]
29Directeur (F.) Director, manager, guide,
30Direttore (I.) conductor of an orchestra.
31Diretta, alla (I.) In direct motion.
32Dirge. A solemn piece of music, of a funereal or memorial character.
33Dis (G.) D sharp.
34Discant. Descant, q.v.; also the
35Discantus (L.) canto or upper part in polyphonic music.
36Discantgeige (G.) An old term for the violin.
37Discantschlüssel (G.) The soprano clef. Descant clef.
38Discord. A chord which, when struck or sung, requires to be resolved into a concord.
39Discreto (I.) Prudently, discreetly, with judgment.
40Discrezione, con Disdiapason (Gk.) An interval of two octaves; a 15th.
41Disinvolto (I.) Free, unfettered, naturally.
42Disinvoltura, con Disis. D double sharp.
43Disjunct motion. [Motion.]
44Disperato (I.) Despairing, with Disperazione, con desperation.
45Dispersed harmony. Harmony in which the notes composing the chord are at wide intervals from each other.
46Disposition. Arrangement (1) of the parts of a chord, with regard to the intervals between them; (2) of the parts of a score, with regard to their relative order; (3) of voices and instruments with a view to their greatest efficiency or to the convenience of their positions; (4) of the groups of pipes in an organ, or of the registers or stops bringing them under control.
47Dissonance. Discord.
48Dissonanza (I.) To jar, to make discord.
49Distanza (I.) Distance, an interval.
50Distinto (I.) Clear, distinct.
51Dithyrambus (Gk.) A song in honour of Bacchus.
52Dito (I.) A finger.
53— grosso (I.) The thumb.
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