E
Ecclesiastical Modes
The scales called also Ambrosian and Gregorian, in which plain song and plain chant are written. They differ from the modern diatonic in…
Eclat (Fr.) (eh-claw)
Eclogue or Eglogue (Fr.) [from Greek έκλεγo, to select]. A pastoral; a poem in which shepherds and shepherdesses are the actors. Eberl…
Embouchure (Fr.) (om-boo-shoor)
(I) The mouth-piece of a wind instrument. The position and management of the mouth and lips of the player.
Enharmonic Modulation
A modulation in which the above change takes place, as, 2 Ensemble (Fr.) (ong-sombl). Altogether. (1) The union of all the performers. (2)…
Entr'acte (Fr.) (on-trakt)
Between the acts; music performed between the acts of a drama. Entrata (It.), Entrée (Fr.). Entry; introduction, prelude; the first…
Entschlossen (Ger.) (ent-shlos-sen)
Eolian or Æolian. (1) One of the Greek and ecclesiastical scales. (2) A species of harp played on by the wind. Epicede (Fr.), Epecedio…
Echelle (Fr.) (eh-shel) – Equabilmente
A mournful poem commemorating the dead. In the style of an elegy.
Equal Voices
A composition is said to be for equal voices when written for men's only or women's only. When male and female voices are combined the…
Equivocal Chords
Dissonant chords that are common to two or more keys, or that may be enharmonically substituted for each other, as the diminished 5th…
Espirando (It.)
Emerick, Albert G. Organist; U. S. A. B. 1817. Emory, Stephen. Theorist; U. S. A. B. 1841; d. 1893.
Equisono (It.) – Estravaganza (It.) (es-trah-vah-gantza)
Equal sounding; unison. Affected; moved.
Euphonium
A large brass instrument of the saxhorn family, used in military bands; a free reed-stop in the organ, sixteen-foot pitch. Euphony [Gr…
Exercise
(1) A study designed to overcome some special difficulty or strengthen special muscles. (2) A lesson in harmony, counterpoint, or…
Exposition
The giving out of the subject and answer by all the voices in turn at the opening of a fugue. The performance of music in such a manner as…
Extension
(1) Violin playing, to reach with the fourth or first finger beyond the "position" in which the hand may be. (2) In piano music, spreading…
Extreme
Used by many writers on harmony in the sense of augmented; as, extreme 2d or 5th or 6th. Essipoff, Annette. Pianist; Russia. B. 1850.
Etoffé (Fr.) – Extreme
Somewhat; as, etwas langsam, somewhat slow. The name of a harmonium stop.