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Scan 360
An Encyclopedia of the Violin, 1925
57 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 330. See the scan on archive.org.
1a drone bass note being used to make the music resemble that of the bagpipe.
2Nacht (Ger.). Night.
3Nobile (It.). With noble spirit.
4Nocturne. The nocturne is a night piece or serenade, the form of which originated with John Field.
5Non (It.). Not; as non troppo allegro—not too fast.
6Notation. The art of representing musical tones by means of written characters. Letters, numerals and signs of different kinds are used.
7Novellette. A musical title first used by Schumann (Op. 21) for an instrumental composition of romantic character.
8Obligato (It.). Usually applied to an independent melodic part for a violin or other instrument in conjunction with a song.
9Obertass (Ger.). Literally "over the cup." Used by Wieniawski as a title for a mazurka.
10Octava or 8vo (It.). An octave higher, as far as the mark extends.
11Octet. A composition for 8 instruments.
12Oeuvre (Fr.). Work.
13Ohne (Ger.). Without.
14Ongarese (It.). Hungarian.
15Opus or Op. (Lat.). A work, as Opus 3, which indicates that the work is the third in numerical order written by the composer.
16Opus Posthumus (Lat.). A composition published after the death of its composer.
17Orchestration (Eng.). The arrangement of music for orchestral rendition.
18Ornament (Eng.). A grace note or embellishment.
19Ornamental Notes. Any notes added to the melody to embellish the simple part.
20Ossia (It.). Or. Usually indicates an easy substitute for a harder passage. The simplified version is written in a smaller staff above the original music.
21Ou (Fr.). Or.
22Overture. A musical prelude or introduction.
23P, PP, PPP, PPPP (It.). Piano, pianissimo, etc. Indicating different degrees of softness.
24Papillon (Fr.). Butterfly.
25Paraphrase. A free transcription of a composition for some other instrument than the one for which it was originally written.
26Paroles (Fr.). Words.
27Partito (It.). Scored, divided into parts for various instruments in combinations.
28Pas (Fr.). A step; also, a solo dance in a ballet.
29Passage. A short portion or section of a piece.
30Passepied (Fr.). An old French dance.
31Pastoral (Eng.). An instrumental composition depicting rural scenes or events.
32Patetica (It.). Pathetic, exciting pity, sympathy and sorrow, etc.
33Pensées (Fr.). Thoughts.
34Perpendosi (It.). Dying away in speed and sound.
35Perpetuo (It.). Perpetual.
36Perpetuum Mobile (It.). Perpetual Motion. A musical composition written in rapid tempo and intended to give an exhibition of technique.
37Pesante (It.). Ponderous, heavy.
38Petit (Fr.). Little, small.
39Peu à peu (Fr.). Little by little, gradually.
40Phantasiestuck (Ger.). A fantastic piece or fantasy.
41Phrase. A short musical figure or passage complete in itself.
42Phrasing. Grouping the notes of a musical figure to bring out the meaning.
43Piacere (It.). Pleasure. Used to indicate freedom of interpretation in a musical phrase or melody.
44Piacevole (It.). Pleasant.
45Pianissimo (It.). As soft as possible—marked pp. ppp. pppp. to denote the degree.
46Piano (It.). Soft, gentle—marked p.
47Piece. A composition.
48Pince (Fr.). Pizzicato (in violin playing).
49Pitch. The height or depth of a musical tone.
50Pitch, International. The Vienna Congress in 1885 assigned 435 vibrations to the A above middle C. This is used as the standard in tuning pianos and in manufacturing tuning forks and pitch pipes for all other instruments.
51Pittoresque (Fr.). Picturesque.
52Più (It.). More; as più vivace—more lively.
53Pizzicato or Pizz. To pick with the finger on the violin strings. Pizzicato may be played with either hand.
54Pochissimo (It.). As little as possible.
55Poco (It.). A little; as poco a poco—little by little.
56Pointe (Fr.). Point or head (of a bow).
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