Dictionary of musical concepts starting with K - L

K

Concept	Level	Listen	Definition
Keyboard	Acc 3	You don't have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. This website makes use of Adobe Flash Player, you have an old version which cannot play the content we've created. Why not download and install the latest version now? It will only take a moment.	Instrument whose sounds are made by pressing down keys, e.g. piano, electronic keyboard and synthesiser.

L

Concept	Level	Listen	Definition
Late Romantic	H	You don't have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. This website makes use of Adobe Flash Player, you have an old version which cannot play the content we've created. Why not download and install the latest version now? It will only take a moment.	Late Romantic – Music of the late 19th century and early 20th century which retains the dramatic intensity of earlier 19th century music. The music is characterised by the use of vast instrumental forces, increased chromaticism and large-scale compositions. Composers included Wagner, Mahler and Richard Strauss. See Romantic, Chromatic scale.
Latin American	Acc 3		Dance music from South America. Percussion instruments provide lively off-beat dance rhythms. Latin percussion ensemble A set of percussion instruments playing music from Latin America, especially Brazil and Cuba. Rhythm is the most important element. Listen in particular to the acoustic guitar and the use of arpeggios in the introduction.
Latin percussion ensemble	Int 1		A set of percussion instruments playing music from Latin America, especially Brazil and Cuba. Rhythm is the most important element.
Lead vocals	Acc 3		The main singers in a group. Listen to the backing vocals singing a cappella, the use of a synthesizer before the lead singer starts the solo. See Backing vocals.
Leaping	Acc 3		Moving between notes which are not next to each other. Listen to the melody played by French horn and orchestra. When melody notes are not repeated they leap to the next one. Compare Stepwise.
Legato	Acc 3		The notes are played or sung smoothly.Listen to the legato cello melody. Compare Staccato.
Leitmotiv	H		A theme occurring throughout a work which represents a person, an event or an idea, etc. The first composer to use leitmotiv extensively was Wagner, in his operas.
Lied	H		This term (the German word for song) refers specifically in the Romantic era to works for solo voice and piano. The text is in German, the structure of the verses is strophic and through composed. An important feature is that the voice and piano are equally important. See Strophic, Through composed, Romantic.
Louder	Acc 3		The sound level is increased. Compare Softer.