Help
Guides and tutorials for the catalog
Tutorials
Introductory videos
- Quick Guide to the RISM Online Catalog (YouTube video) (PDF guide): Basic search, filters and sorting, full record view, finding the music online.
- The Advanced Search (YouTube video): Target your search to specific fields.
- Music incipit search (YouTube video): How to search for music incipits in the Advanced Search using the index and the on-screen piano keyboard.
- Musikwissenschaft: RISM – Internationales Quellenlexikon der Musik (YouTube video): An overview of RISM's work and the online catalog, part of the "Tübinger Tutorials zur Musikwissenschaft" series at the Universität Tübingen (in German).
Advanced search techniques
- The Fifth Field (YouTube video): How to add additional search fields by combining previous searches.
- Paging through collections (YouTube video): How to page through manuscript collections, from the first piece to the last.
- City Guide (YouTube video): How to find sources that are located today in a particular city or country (sources in Rome, sources in Mexico, etc.).
RISM Directory of Library Sigla
- How to search for RISM library sigla (YouTube video): How to use the directory of library sigla to find the RISM abbreviation for an institution.
Special topics
- Printed Music Editions in the RISM Online Catalog (YouTube video): What printed editions are in RISM, search strategies, how records are structured.
- How to report an error (YouTube video)
Basic search
The single search box conducts an undifferentiated full-text search. Search terms are combined by default. Truncate words using * (asterisk). Use “ ” (quotation marks) to search for an exact phrase.
Examples: | |
Zar* | |
Autograph Mozart | |
“don giovanni” | |
piano sonatas |
Advanced search
Use up to three search boxes and a series of drop-down menus to direct a search to specific indexes. Truncation (*) and searching by phrase (" ") are allowed. The fourth search box is populated by the on-screen piano keyboard. A fifth search box appears after your initial search and it contains the session's previous searches.
All fields | This is especially useful for searching the fields not indexed (listed below), such as opus number, role names, cities, tempos, or notes fields. Searching in a specific index (when possible) will result in a more accurate search than searching in All fields. In this field you may use the Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT (in capital letters). |
Title | Enter the title, genre (for generic titles), title as on source, or text incipit. Use the plural for form/genre terms. Alternate titles are searched automatically. Titles as they appear on the source must be searched in the field "All fields." |
Composer | Names, initials, pseudonyms, etc. of composers. Name variants are automatically searched. For best results, include the diacritics when applicable (for example Žába, not Zaba). |
Genre | Enter the form, genre, or type. In general, use the term in English and in the plural. |
Music incipit | Enter the pitches of the music incipit. Omit sharps, flats, and naturals. See also Music incipits. |
Music incipit (with transposition) | Enter the pitches of the music incipit if you wish to allow transpositions. |
Other names | Names, initials, pseudonyms, etc. of individuals who do not function as composers: arrangers, co-composers, copyists, dedicatees, librettists, performers, previous owners, printers, engravers, etc. Name variants are searched automatically. |
Catalog of works number | The abbreviation of a thematic catalog or works catalog and number. |
Key |
|
Provenance | Names of people or institutions who had prior ownership of the source. Can also include stamps, bookplates, and signatures. |
Source type | Enter one of the following terms, or use the drop-down list above the search boxes. For notated music:
For other types of documents:
|
Watermark | Enter English terms. |
Liturgical festival | Church feasts and holidays, most of which use the forms found in the Liber usualis. |
Institution | Institutions that are related to the work as dedicatees or performers (but not previous owners) |
Scoring | Search for works that include specific instruments or voices, using RISM instrument abbreviations (see below). Also known as instrumentation or medium of performance. |
Library siglum | Enter a RISM library siglum. Use also to search sources in a particular country or city (see City Guide) |
RISM ID no. | Enter the record number assigned by RISM (can be five or more digits), which is found in the lower right of each record. 51780 |
Year | Enter a single year. |
Shelfmark | Enter the shelfmark or call number as given by the holding library or previous institutions. This field also searches additional shelfmarks and former shelfmarks (olim). |
Language | Search for the language of a sung or spoken text, the language of a libretto, or the language of a treatise. Begin typing a language in English or German and select from the choices that appear. |
Publisher | Search for printed editions from a particular publisher. |
A/I or B/I number | Search for printed editions by the sequential A/I or B/I numbers used in the print publications. Spaces, if any, must be entered exactly. For the superscripts in B/1, use a vertical line, slash, or minus sign. Note that some numbers include brackets. |
Plate or publisher number | Search by plate number or publisher number. You can enter sequences of numbers and/or characters. |
Examples:
1) All sources by Fanny Hensel for lieder in A major
Select the field Composer and enter hensel, fanny |
2) All sources found outside of Austria where Joseph Haydn shows up in a function other than composer (such as dedicatee or former owner)
Select the field Other names and enter hadyn, joseph |
Search results
The search results are given in a numbered list. The results list may show the composer, title, key, scoring summary, A/1 or B/1 number, thematic catalog number, source type, library siglum, and the shelfmark.
Refine the results by using the filters on the left: Digitized sources, Genre, Composer, Source type, Scoring, Publisher, Year, Library siglum, and indexes (our authority files: the standardized people, institutions, and secondary literature which are cited throughout the database).
At the end, there is a section called Authority data which lists RISM's indexed personal names, institutions (organizations), and secondary literature. Results that appear in the RISM indexes will lead to fuller information, for example biographical information and name variants for people, postal addresses for institutions, and bibliographic information for works of secondary literature.
After you select a filter, it appears above the list of results. To remove a search filter, simply click the X next to the filter.
Digitized music includes musical sources that have been scanned by the holding institution and made available online. A direct link to the digitized source is provided in the record. Clicking on the filter for digitized music will display only those records that contain links to digital surrogates.
Click on any of the search results to view the full record.
Full record display
The full record display describes the source in full, often including incipits. Consult the General abbreviations and descriptions, below, as required.
If you click on a term marked in blue, a window opens with further information.
The phrase In collection near the bottom of the record can describe two different situations. First, it can mean that the work is part of either a collective manuscript (see an example here) or printed edition (example here). Second, it can mean that the piece is part of a composite volume (also known as a binders' volume or a bound-with), which is a volume containing varied material, usually of similar instrumentation, bound together by an individual or sometimes an instiution (example here). Clicking on the blue number will take you to the collection's main entry. From there, you can view the records for the rest of the works in the collection.
If you see the phrase "Initial entry" in a record for a printed music edition, note that the linked record corresponds with the suborder adopted in the printed volumes of series A/I, in which identical titles were indicated with a dash beneath the first printed edition mentioned. This system did not correspond to any hierarchy in a sense of first editions and reprints. However, linking in the catalog is necessary in order to reflect similarities in the content of the titles. Furthermore, since the subsequent entries often lack short and/or diplomatic titles, a link is made to have a clear reference to the title of the first entry.
A Fingerprint identifier is an alphanumeric code that is derived from looking at a certain combination of pages in a historical printed book. It helps identify books that were part of the same print run, and not from a different state or edition.
The IIIF display refers to the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) technical standard that allows images to be displayed directly on other websites without needing to upload anything. This means that hundreds of digitized objects, whether a music manuscirpt, a printed edition, or a different element such as a watermark, can be viewed on the catalog entry's page without clicking on an external link or leaving the catalog.
The complete description guidelines may be viewed in the training version of Muscat, RISM's cataloging program.
Music incipits
See also the tutorials above.
There are two different ways of searching for music incipits (beginning notes):
1. Search by note names
In the Advanced search, select the field Music incipit or Music incipit (with transposition). Enter either upper or lower case letters. For the English note name B, either B or the German H may be used. This is a very basic search: omit accidentals, sharps, flats, and natural signs because they are ignored in this field. For example, for the note F-sharp, enter an F.
The field Music incipit is an exact search. Selecting the option Music incipit (with transposition) will also search intervals and include incipits that have been transposed from the initial search inquiry.
Examples:
1. Music incipit: CDEFGFEADGGAGF
Bach, BWV 846 (RISM ID no. 230005352)
2. The same search using Music incipit (with transposition):
Della Ciaia, Soggetto (RISM ID no. 000142611)
2. Search using the piano keyboard
Underneath the search boxes you will see a five-octave on-screen piano keyboard, which can also be used to enter music incipits. The piano keyboard enables a chromatic search and takes into account exact half steps. You can search either the beginning of the incipit, with or without transposition (Incipit beginning via piano keyboard) or any section of the incipit, with or without transposition (Anywhere in incipit via piano keyboard).
Please note the following when using the piano keyboard:
- Notes can be entered by clicking on a piano key. When you hover over a piano key with your mouse, a letter or number appears in red over each key. These are shortcut keys that you can use to enter the incipit with your computer keyboard.
- Enharmonic tones are automatically searched: the black key for the note F-sharp also searches for the note G-flat — even when Fx appears in the search field. The accidental only applies to the note directly preceding it.
- Select the option "with transposition" if you want octaves to be ignored, otherwise the octaves you indicate are strictly observed.
- The keys sound when you click on them.
- The notes appear on the staff and can be directly edited by clicking to the right of the note you want to change.
- The search can also find similar invervals.
- If you want to search anywhere in the incipit, enter at least 3 notes.
The incipits are rendered using the Verovio library.
General incipit search tips
- Rhythm and rests are ignored
- The search is truncated right, meaning that music incipits are retrieved that are longer than the search string
- Grace notes and ornaments are searched if you enter them and ignored if you do not
- Start with a longer incipit and delete notes until you get results of a reasonable size
- Combine the incipit search with other fields and make use of the search filters
- Tied notes do not have to be entered twice
And remember:
The music incipits in RISM are not standardized in any way. Rather, they reflect the incipits as they appear on the sources themselves. Accordingly, there may be slight variations among different copies of what is essentially the same work.
Not every source described in the RISM catalog includes a music incipit. Sometimes incipits consist of only the text incipits or basic information about the movement (such as time signature or tempo marking).
Several external projects have built searches using RISM's incipits, each with different goals and strategies. We invite you to try them out:
- Incipit Search Engine by Jacek Salamon
- IncipitSearch, Digital Academy, Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz
- RISM search by Utrecht University
How do I... : Tips & tricks
-
Search the holdings of a specific library
Do an Advanced Search and enter the library siglum (abbreviation) in the field Library siglum (search the directory of library sigla here) and click Search. Now you are looking at only the records of a particular library or institution. Use the filters on the left to further refine your search.
-
View variants of a name
You have multiple versions of Beethoven's name. Which should I choose, and how can I see the whole list of possible variants?
Name variants are displayed when you type in the Advanced Search in the fields All fields, Composer, and Other names. All variants point to the same person. To view all variants at once, go to a record where the composer is named and click on the name, or view RISM's full record for the person. Alternate names are listed there and are based on standard reference works.
-
Search for women composers/people from Vienna/oboists/previous owners
All personal names in RISM contain coded information about gender, occupation, places, and functions. These are full-text searchable using the Basic Search or All fields in the Advanced Search. Please see this blog post which gives an overview of what you can search for. You can also browse our records for people (see, for example, Ludwig van Beethoven and Clara Schumann) to get an idea of the terminology we use.
Examples:
female composer
violinist Paris
-
Navigate between individual entries in a collection
We admit navigation isn't ideal but there is a workaround: Do an Advanced search and fill out the fields Library siglum and Shelfmark, then click Search. The default order of entries in the search results gives you the individual entries in page number order. Or, use the Sort by option to sort the results. From any result, you can use the arrows in the upper right of a record to navigate. -
Access all records in the database at once
Simply click Search without entering anything and the results will be all records in the database. -
Search for items in other languages (sinfonie, symphonie, symphony, etc.)
A good strategy is to search for the genre in English and in the plural: symphonies. -
Cite RISM records
Use the RISM ID number found in the lower right of each record. Numbers from the A/I or B/I printed book series are also valid. For electronic publications, please link using permalinks. See also our guide on How to Cite RISM. -
Download RISM data for reuse or to experiment with
Each record has links at the bottom that say Show MarcXML and Show RDF/XML. In addition, all records may be downloaded in MARCXML and RDF format from the linked open data page. -
Find digitized versions of sources in RISM
The RISM catalog links to digitized versions of musical sources when known. These links can be conveniently accessed through the link Digitized music that appears at the top of the filters after any search.
Many musical sources are described in the printed RISM volumes but are not (yet) in the online catalog. Some external projects compile known digital surrogates for these sources. These are linked on the RISM publications page next to the book's description. -
Find a source if it's not in RISM
The website Digital Resources in Musicology (Stanford University) offers a substantial list of links to freely available resources of use to musicians and musicologists, organized by topic.
The Guide to Digital Scores from Princeton University focuses on free and fee-based materials. Notated music in all formats is included (scores, parts, etc.).
See also our Resources page.
-
Link to a record or a search
The URLs in your browser's address bar are not stable. To link to a specific catalog entry, use the Permalink located just above the composer's name and marked with a chain link icon.
To link to a more complex search string (such as all records by a certain composer, or all symphonies in a certain library), combine this address (without quotes):
"https://opac.rism.info/search?View=rism&"
with the parameter you wish to search:
author= for composer
callno= for shelfmark/call number
institution= for an institution that appears in the field Provenance
localkey= or documentid= or id= for RISM ID number
q= or query= for a keyword search anywhere
subject= for a genre
title= for filing title
year= for year
siglum= for library siglum
pnd= for PND number
mtype= for material type
and add your search string.
Example: Link to all sources by Marianna Martines:
https://opac.rism.info/search?View=rism&author=Marianna+Martines&Language=en
Tips:
- Add &Language=en to the end of the URL to keep the interface in English (or it will default to German).
- Truncating searches with an asterisk (*) is possible in some cases.
- Blank spaces must be filled with a plus sign (+).
- Combine parameters with an ampersand (&).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
What is in RISM?
Descriptions of historical musical sources, meaning music manuscripts, printed editions, libretti, and treatises. For more information, please see the page Content.
-
Why isn't my article or other important research cited in RISM?
We try to stay abreast of current research but invariably we miss some things. Please alert us to new research or articles we may have overlooked.
-
How can I report an error?
Any and all corrections are welcome. An orange box is availble at the bottom of every record that will lead to a comment form. You can also fill out this form or send us an email.
-
Where can I get copies of the music?
Music must be obtained directly from the holding institution itself. Some libraries offer digitized collections on their websites; whenever possible, RISM links to these digital surrogates directly in the records. If you do not find a digitized copy of the source, you must contact the library. Click on the library siglum to find the contact information.
-
When I search for a composer, I get results where the name of the composer isn't anywhere on the record. Why is this?
Your search also searches collection records (for example in manuscript anthologies) and RISM's records for personal names, institutions, and secondary literature. The name may, for example, appear as a variant if you click on the composer's name, or it may appear on the main entry record if the item belongs to a collection.
-
Records are inconsistent: sometimes a word is spelled with a "v" in one record but a "u" in the next. Same with "j" and "i". Why is this?
The field "Title on source" transcribes the title exactly as it appears on the source, including the original spelling from the time and any mistakes the copyist made. This accounts for the variations you see. The titles at the top of the records and the incipits are standardized and reflect modern usage.
-
Why do some works have different opus numbers?
A work my have different opus numbers because in the past, opus numbers were assigned by the publishers. Different publishers sometimes used different numbers for the same piece or the same number for different pieces. RISM records can reflect what is on the sources themselves as well as standard opus numbers as found in the secondary literature.
-
Why do some printed editions have two A/I numbers, such as G 325 and GG 325? What does the second entry (GG 325) refer to?
You may ignore the second entry with the double letters. Entries for printed editions with double letters appeared in the supplement to the print volume.
-
Why can't I find a printed edition using the B/I number?
A good strategy is to do an Advanced Search in the field A/I or B/I number first, and if you don't find what you're looking for, search for the same number (in quotation marks) in the field All fields. -
Why do the search filters seem incomplete?
A maximum of 100 values are shown when you click on "Show more..." in the search filters (found on the left after you complete a search).
-
The online catalog doesn't display properly on my screen (words are cut off, etc.).
Try changing the resolution of your computer screen.
-
Can I reuse data from the RISM online catalog?
Yes! Both the authority records as well as the records for the sources themselves are freely available as linked open data through a Creative Commons CC-BY license. You can download the data in MARCXML and RDF format. More information is available on the linked open data page.
-
Is there an OCLC record for the RISM catalog?
Yes! This is the OCLC record for the RISM online catalog that you can use so that your library users can it in your local discovery systems: OCLC #913332994
-
How can I participate in or contribute to RISM?
We warmly welcome anybody who wants to take part in RISM's projects.
Individuals can support RISM by:
- reporting mistakes in the online catalog
- sending us descriptions of sources not yet in RISM
- making us aware of new research concerning musical sources
- alerting us to institutions not yet in the siglum directory
- making us aware of new research concerning sources
- informing us of performances that involve music found in RISM
- translating the RISM brochure or Wikipedia articles into their local language
Libraries can support RISM by:
- opening up their collections to RISM contributors
- supporting their work by offering work space, Internet access, etc.
- offering staff to work on the project (training is provided free from RISM)
- sending RISM data from local catalogs about sources not yet in RISM
Anybody can:
- contribute financially. All donations are welcome! (Receipt provided.)
-
How is RISM structured?
RISM relies on the work of individuals and working groups from around the world who catalog the musical sources in their own country in the international RISM database. Information about the structure of RISM can be found here.
-
How can I find a RISM contact person near me?
Please consult the list of RISM working groups worldwide. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
General abbreviations and descriptions
Name attributions: You may see these designations appear after a name.
verified | Attribution is certain. |
ascertained | The name is partially present or entirely absent from the source, but attribution is (reasonably) certain and based on comparison with concordant sources, secondary literature, or other scholarly resources. |
conjectural | The name is a reasonable guess based on the secondary literature. |
doubtful | Authorship is in question. |
alleged | The name appears on the source, but the attribution is questionable or doubtful. |
misattributed | The name is on the source but is incorrect. |
The field "Form" in some printed editions:
Chb | choirbook |
Chor-P | chorus score |
KLA | piano score/vocal score |
kpl. | complete |
Orgel-P | organ score |
P | full score |
St | parts |
Tab | tablature |
Other abbreviations:
Autograph | autograph manuscript |
?Autograph? | possible autograph manuscript |
Chb | choirbook (in printed music) |
Chor-P | chorus score (in printed music) |
date | |
1691 | in 1691 |
1782a | before 1782 |
1782c | about (ca.) 1782 |
1782p | after 1782 |
18.in | beginning of the 18th century |
18.me | middle of the 18th century |
18.ex | end of the 18th century |
18.1t | 18th century, first third |
18.3q | 18th century, 3rd quarter |
18.2d | 18th century, 2nd half |
18.sc | 18th century |
18/19 | 18th/19th century |
1691* | born 1691 |
1797a+ | died before 1782 |
1782p+ | died after 1782 |
ex. | copies (for printed music) |
f. | folio(s) |
fds | folds (gatherings) |
incpl. | incomplete |
keys | |
major (mode): A, B, C, D, E, F, G, C#, D#, F#, G#, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, Gb | |
minor (mode): a, b, c, d, e, f, g, a#, d#, f#, g#, ab, bb, cb, db, eb, gb | |
Examples: | |
A | A major |
B | B major |
b | B minor |
f# | F-sharp minor |
fx | F-sharp minor |
Bb | B-flat major |
Ecclesiastical modes: | |
1t | 1st tone (Dorian) |
1tt | 1st tone (Dorian), transposed |
2t | 2nd tone (Hypodorian) |
2tt | 2nd tone (Hypodorian), transposed |
3t | 3rd tone (Phrygian) |
3tt | 3rd tone (Phrygian), transposed |
4t | 4th tone (Hypophrygian) |
4tt | 4th tone (Hypophrygian), transposed |
5t | 5th tone (Lydian) |
5tt | 5th tone (Lydian), transposed |
6t | 6th tone (Hypolydian) |
6tt | 6th tone (Hypolydian), transposed |
7t | 7th tone (Mixolydian) |
7tt | 7th tone (Mixolydian), transposed |
8t | 8th tone (Hypomixolydian) |
8tt | 8th tone (Hypomixolydian), transposed |
9t | 9th tone (Aeolian) |
9tt | 9th tone (Aeolian), transposed |
10t | 10th tone (Hypoaeolian) |
10tt | 10th tone (Hypoaeolian), transposed |
11t | 11th tone (Ionian) |
11tt | 11th tone (Ionian), transposed |
12t | 12th tone (Hypoionian) |
12tt | 12th tone (Hypoionian), transposed |
Byzantine modes: | |
1byz | Ēchos prōtos (First mode of Byzantine music) |
2byz | Ēchos deuteros (Second mode of Byzantine music) |
3byz | Ēchos tritos (Third mode of Byzantine music) |
4byz | Ēchos tetartos (Fourth mode of Byzantine music) |
5byz | Ēchos plagios prōtos (First plagal mode of Byzantine music) |
6byz | Ēchos plagios deuteros (Second plagal mode of Byzantine music) |
7byz | Ēchos barys (Third plagal mode of Byzantine music) |
8byz | Ēchos plagios tetartos (Fourth plagal mode of Byzantine music |
KLA | piano score/vocal score (in printed music) |
kpl. | complete (in printed music) |
lvs | leaves |
olim | old shelfmark |
Orgel-P | organ score (in printed music) |
P | full score (in printed music) |
p. | page(s) |
RISM A/I | cross-reference to RISM series A/I |
RISM B/ | cross-reference to RISM series B |
St | parts (in printed music) |
Tab | tablature (in printed music) |
List of instrument abbreviations
Contents:
-
General abbreviations and concepts
-
Includes: General abbreviations, additions to any instrument to indicate a range, additions to any instrument to indicate a type, dditions to any wind instrument to indicate a tuning other than standard tuning, unspecified or unknown types or numbers of instruments
-
General abbreviations and concepts
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Examples |
iSol | continuous solo instrument in a work, typically with a separately written-out part (not used for instruments that have extensive solo passages, such as an oboe in a cantata) | Nur für Soloinstrumente in Konzerten. |
|
| iSol: vl |
brasses | brass instruments (cor, clno or tr, trb) | Blechblasinstrumente | cuivres | ottoni |
|
strings | strings | Streichinstrumente | cordes | archi |
|
winds | winds (brass and woodwind) | Blasinstrumente | instruments à vent | strumenti a fiato |
|
woodwinds | woodwinds | Holzblasinstrumente | bois | legni |
|
orch | orchestra | Orchester | orchestre | orchestra |
|
pf (cemb) | Add alternative scoring possibilities to the original requirements in brackets. |
|
|
| pf (orch) T (S) |
Additions to any instrument to indicate a range
Use the following before any instrument to make it: Kann einem Instrument vorangestellt werden: | |||||
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Examples |
s- | soprano | Sopran |
|
| s-saxofono |
a- | alto | Alt | a-trb | ||
contra- | contra-, counter- | Kontra | contra-fag | ||
contra-a- | contralto | Kontra-Alt | contra-a-cl (in E|b) | ||
t- | tenor | Tenor | t-trb | ||
bariton- | baritone | Bariton | bariton-trb | ||
b- | bass | Bass | b-trb |
Additions to any instrument to indicate a typeUse the following after an instrument Kann einem Instrument angehängt werden. | |||||
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Examples |
ad lib | ad libitum | ad libitum | ad libitum | ad libitum | ob ad lib |
conc | concertino, concertato | concertino, concertato |
|
| S conc |
d'amore | d'amore | d'amore |
|
| ob d'amore |
.picc | piccolo | piccolo |
|
| cl.picc, |
princ | principale (i.e. concertante) | principale |
|
| vl princ clno princ |
rip | ripieno | ripieno |
|
| S rip |
Additions to any wind instrument to indicate a tuning other than standard tuningBezeichnet die Stimmung eines Blasinstrumentes | |
RISM | Examples |
in A | cl in A |
in E|b | cor in E|b |
etc. |
Unspecified or unknown types or numbers of instruments | |||||
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Examples |
(X) | an unspecified number | Eine unbekannte Anzahl einer Stimme. |
|
| vl (X) V (X) |
dessus | dessus, soprano (instrumental) | dessus (instr., Sopranlage) | dessus (instrumentale, soprano) | strumentale superiore |
|
hautecontre | hautecontre (usually an unspecified alto instrument) | Hautecontre (instr., in Altlage) | haute-contre (instrumentale) | haute-contre, strumento contralto |
|
i | unknown/unspecified instrument, general instrumental part | Unbekannte(s) Instrument/ Instrumentalstimme | partie instrumentale | parte strumentale | i |
taille | tenor instrument/part | Taille (instr.) | taille (instrument) | strumento tenore |
|
treble | highest voice (instrument) | Treble (instr., höchste Stimmlage) | partie instrumentale la plus aiguë dans le mouvement | parte strumentale più acuta nel movimento |
|
no further indication | no further details of the part designations are available | Keine weitere Angabe |
|
|
|
no indication | instrumentation is not specified | Keine Angabe |
Vocal (voice) terms
Solo voices
RISM | English | German | French | Italian |
major vocal parts | ||||
S | soprano, cantus, discant, discantus, tiple (vocal) | Sopran (vokal), Cantus, Diskant | soprano (vocale), cantus, discantus | soprano (vocale), cantus, discantus |
Mezzo-S | mezzo-soprano (vocal) | Mezzosopran (vokal) | mezzo-soprano (vocale) | mezzosoprano (vocale) |
A | alto (vocal) | Alt (vokal) | alto (vocale) | contralto (vocale) |
Contra-A | contralto (vocal) | Kontra-Alt | contralto (vocale) | contralto (vocale) |
T | tenor (vocal) | Tenor (vokal) | ténor (vocale) | tenore (vocale) |
Bariton | baritone (vocal) | Bariton (vokal) | bariton (vocale) | baritono (vocale) |
B | bass (vocal) | Bass (vokal) | basse (vocale) | basso (vocale) |
V | voice (vocal), solo vocal part | Solovokalstimme | partie vocale | parte vocale |
other vocal |
|
|
|
|
Dessus | dessus, soprano (vocal) | Dessus (vokal, Sopranlage) | dessus (vocale, soprano) | vocale superiore |
Sprechstimme | spoken voice, spoken roles, narrator, Sprechstimme | Sprechstimme | partie parlée | voce recitante |
Treble | highest voice (vocal) | Treble (vokal, höchste Stimmlage) | partie vocale la plus aiguë dans le mouvement
| parte vocale più acuta nel movimento |
V 5 | quinta vox, 5th voice (vocal) | Quinta Vox | cinquième voix | quinta voce |
V 6 | sexta vox, 6th voice (vocal) | Sexta Vox | sixième voix | sesta voce |
Vag | vagans (additional vocal voice) | Vagans |
|
|
Chorus
RISM | English | German | French | Italian |
major chorus parts | ||||
Coro | choir, chorus | Chor | chœur | coro |
Coro S | the soprano part in a chorus | Sopranstimme im Chor |
|
|
Coro A | the alto part in a chorus | Altstimme im Chor |
|
|
Coro T | the tenor part in a chorus | Tenorstimme im Chor |
|
|
Coro B | the bass part in a chorus | Bassstimme im Chor |
|
|
other chorus | ||||
Coro V | an unspecified or unknown chorus part | Unbekannte Stimme im Chor |
|
|
Coro 1: Coro 2: etc. | use to differentiate between multiple choirs. Coro 1: S Coro 1: A Coro 2: S Coro 2: A
|
|
|
|
Coro di fanciulli | children's choir, boys' choir, girls' choir | Kinderchor | chœur d'enfants
| coro di fanciulli |
Coro femminile | womens' choir | Frauenchor | chœur de femmes | coro femminile |
Coro maschile | mens' choir | Männerchor | chœur d'hommes | coro maschile |
Strings
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link | |
major instrument groups | ||||||
vl | violin (do not differentiate between 1st and 2nd violins) | Violine | violon | violino |
| |
| vl conc | violin concertino | Violino concertino | violino concertino | violino concertino |
|
| vl princ | violin principale | Violino principale | violino principale | violino principale |
|
| vl rip | violin ripieno | Violino ripieno | violino ripieno | violino ripieno |
|
| vl solo | solo violin part (but not for concertos) | Solovioline | violon seul | violino solo |
|
vla | viola | Viola | viole | viola |
| |
| a-vla | alto viola | Altviola | viole alto | viola alto |
|
vlc | violoncello, cello | Violoncello | violoncelle | violoncello |
| |
cb | contrabass, double bass | Kontrabass | contrebasse | contrabasso |
| |
other strings |
|
|
|
|
| |
b | unspecified basso instrument | |||||
baryton | baryton (bass string instrument) | Baryton (Streichinstrument mit Resonanzsaiten) | baryton | viola di bordone | ||
fiddle | fiddle | Fidel | vièle, vielle | viella, fidula |
| |
violetta | violetta, violetta piccola (a descant viol, can also mean violin) | Violetta (eine Viole) | violetta | violetta |
| |
violetta marina | violetta marina | Violetta marina | violetta marina | violetta marina |
| |
vla basso | viola basso | Bassviola | basse de viole | viola bassa |
| |
vla bastarda | viola bastarda | Viola bastarda | viola bastarda | viola bastarda |
| |
vla d'amore | viola d'amore | Viola d'amore | viole d'amour | viola d'amore |
| |
vla da braccio | viola da braccio | Viola da braccio | viola da braccio | viola da braccio |
| |
vla da gamba | viola da gamba, viol, gamba | Viola da gamba | viole de gambe | viola da gamba |
| |
| s-vla da gamba | treble viola da gamba | Sopran-Viola da gamba | dessus de viole | viola da gamba soprano |
|
| t-vla da gamba | tenor viola da gamba | Tenor-Viola da gamba | viole de gambe ténor | viola da gamba tenore |
|
| b-vla da gamba | bass viola da gamba | Bass-Viola da gamba | basse de viole | basso di viola |
|
vla pomposa | viola pomposa | Viola pomposa | viola pomposa | viola pomposa |
| |
vlne | violone (related to double bass) | Violone | violone | violone |
| |
strings | strings | Streichinstrumente | cordes | archi |
Woodwinds
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link | |
major instrument groups | ||||||
fl | flute, transverse flute (held horizontally, in C) | Flöte, Querflöte | flûte (traversière) | flauto (traverso) |
| |
| fl.picc | piccolo, ottavino | Piccoloflöte | piccolo | flauto piccolo | |
| fl d'amore | flûte d'amour, flauto d'amore (in A) | Flauto d'amore (in A oder A|b) | flûte d'amour | flauto d'amore | |
| fl dolce | flauto dolce (can refer to recorder, or flute in some 19th-century sources) | Flauto dolce (italienischer Begriff für Blockflöte, meint im 19. Jh. auch die Querflöte) | flûte douce | flauto dolce |
|
| fl quarto | flauto quarto (small flute tuned a fourth above a flute) | Quartflöte |
| flauto quarto |
|
| fl terzino | Flute in E|b, soprano flute, third flute, tierce flute (flute tuned a minor third above a flute) | Terzflöte (in E|b) | flûte tierce | flauto terzino | |
| flautino | flautino (can refer to soprano recorder or piccolo) | Flautino, Sopraninoblockflöte | flautino | flautino |
|
ob | oboe (in C) | Oboe | hautbois | oboe | ||
picc.ob | piccolo oboe, oboe musette, musette (do not confuse with the musette from the bagpipe family) | |||||
ob grande | oboe grande (a mezzo-soprano oboe usually in A or B|b) | Oboe grande (in Mezzosopranlage, Stimmung in A oder B|b) | ||||
ob d'amore | oboe d'amore (in A, a minor third lower than oboe) | Oboe d'amore (in A) | hautbois d'amour | oboe d'amore | ||
a-ob | Altoboe, any alto oboe. | |||||
| cor inglese | cor anglais, English horn (in F) | Englischhorn (in Altlage, zur Oboenfamilie gehörig, Stimmung in F) | cor anglais | corno inglese | |
| ob da caccia | oboe da caccia, oboe di silva (a curved oboe, in F) | Oboe da caccia (gekrümmte Oboe, in F) | hautbois de chasse | oboe da caccia | |
taille de hautbois | taille de hautbois | taille de hautbois | Link to MIMO | |||
voce umana | voce umana, vox humana (a tenor oboe in F) | |||||
| t-ob | Any tenor oboe. | Tenoroboe | hautbois tenor
| oboe tenore |
|
heckelphon | heckelphone | |||||
b-ob | Any bass oboe. | |||||
cl | clarinet (indicate tuning when known) | Klarinette (Bitte die Stimmung angeben, wenn sie bekannt ist.) | clarinette | clarinetto | ||
| b-cl | bass clarinet (in B|b) | Bassklarinette (in B|b) | clarinette basse | clarinetto basso | |
| cl in A | clarinet in A | A-Klarinette |
|
|
|
| cl in E|b | E|b clarinet | Es-Klarinette |
|
|
|
| cor di bassetto | basset horn (clarinet family) | Bassetthorn (in Tenorlage, zur Klarinettenfamilie gehörig) | cor de basset | corno di bassetto | |
| chalumeau | chalumeau (single-reed instrument, precursor of the clarinet) | Chalumeau (Einfachrohrblattinstrument, Vorläufer der Klarinette) | chalumeau | salmoè |
|
saxofono | saxophone, sax. Use prefix s-, a-, etc. if known. | Saxophon (Bitte die Stimmung angeben, wenn sie bekannt ist.) | saxophone | saxofono, sassofono | ||
| s-saxofono | soprano saxophone (in B|b) | Sopransaxophon (in B|b) | saxophone soprano | saxofono/ sassofono soprano |
|
| a-saxofono | alto saxophone (in E|b) | Altsaxophon (in E|b) | saxophone alto
| ||
| t-saxofono | tenor saxophone (in B|b) | Tenorsaxophon (in B|b) | saxophone ténor | saxofono/ sassofono tenore | |
| bariton-saxofono | baritone saxophone | Baritonsaxophon | saxophone baryton | saxofono/ sassofono baritono |
|
fag | bassoon | Fagott | basson | fagotto | ||
| contra-fag | contrabassoon, double bassoon | Kontrafagott | contrebasson | controfagotto |
|
| t-fag | tenor bassoon, tenoron (in F) | Tenorfagott (in F) | basson quinte | fagotto tenore | |
other winds | ||||||
bombarde | bombardon, bombarde, pommer; alto, tenor, and bass shawm (low woodwind instrument, typically with a double reed, with one key or keyless) | Bombarde, Pommer (Doppelrohrblattinstrument) | bombarde | bombarda | ||
chirimía | chirimía (a type of Spanish shawm, double-reed instrument) | Chirimía (Doppelrohrblattinstrument, spanischer Begriff für eine Art Oboe) | chirimía |
| ||
ciaramella | shawm (but see also piffero and bombarde [for the pommer]) | Ciaramella (eine Schalmei, Doppelrohrblattinstrument) | chalemie | ciaramella |
| |
fiffaro | fife (similar to a piccolo) | Querpfeife (hohe Querflöte), Schwegel (in der Volksmusik) | fifre | fiffaro | ||
ocarina | ocarina (round, hollow flute, typically shaped like an elongated egg) | Okarina (eine Gefäßflöte) | ocarina | ocarina | ||
piffero | shawm, especially high ones (but see chalumeau); fife; small flute | Piffero (zur Oboenfamilie gehörig) | piffero | piffero |
| |
recorder | recorder | Blockflöte | flûte à bec | flauto dolce |
| |
| sopranino | sopranino recorder (in F) | Sopraninoblockflöte (in F) | sopranino | sopranino | |
woodwinds | woodwinds | Holzblasinstrumente | bois | legni |
| |
zufoletto | zufoletto | Zufoletto | zufoletto | zufoletto |
Brass
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link | |
banda | wind band, usually brass, but can also mean brass instruments or brass plus percussion | Blaskapelle (oft um Schlagwerk erweitert) | orchestre d'harmonie | banda musicale |
| |
althorn | althorn (usually in E|b; see also saxhorn and tenor horn) | Althorn (in E|b; vgl. mit Saxhorn und Tenorhorn) | bugle alto | flicorno contralto | ||
b | bass (instrumental), also for unspecified bass instrument | Bass (instr.), zumeist ein tiefes Streichinstrument | basse (instrumentale) | basso (strumento) |
| |
bariton | baritone, baritone horn (valved brass instrument in B|b, similar to but not the same as the euphonium) | Baritonhorn (in B|b) | euphonium | eufonio, flicorno baritono | ||
bombardino | flicorno, bombardino (bugle/flugelhorn family) | Bombardino (vgl. mit Euphonium) |
| bombardino |
| |
bombardone | bass tuba, bombardon | Bombardone, Basstuba | bombardon | bombardone |
| |
brasses | brass instruments | Blechblasinstrumente | cuivres | ottoni |
| |
bugle | bugle (no valves, typically in B|b or C) | Horn (ohne Ventile, in C oder B|b) | bugle | bugle, flicorno | ||
cimbasso | cimbasso (trombone family, pitched in C, F, E|b or B|b) | Cimbasso (tiefe Ventilposaune in C, F, E|b oder B|b) | cimbasso | cimbasso | ||
clno | clarino, clairon, clarion (trumpet family) | Klarine (zur Trompetenfamilie gehörig) | clarine | clarino | ||
cnto | cornetto, cornett, zink (Renaissance wind instrument; for the trumpet-like brass instrument, see kornetto) | Zink (Gilt als Blechblasinstrument wegen seines Kesselmundstücks.) | cornet | cornetto | ||
cor | horn, French horn, hunting horn (in F) | Horn, Waldhorn (meist in F, auch B|b oder E|b) | cor d'harmonie | corno |
| |
cor a chiavi | keyed bugle, key bugle, Kent bugle | Klappenhorn | bugle à clefs | cornetta a chiavi | ||
cor basso | bass horn (semi-spherical mouthpiece like a trumpet, looks like a bassoon) | Basshorn (mit Kesselmundstück, aus der Familie der Grifflochhörner, einem Fagott ähnlich aussehend) | cor grave | corno basso | ||
cor crom | valve horn, chromatic cor | Chromatisches Horn | cor chromatique | corno cromatico |
| |
cor da caccia | corno da caccia, hunting horn | Corno da caccia, Jagdhorn | corno da caccia | corno da caccia | ||
dugetto | dugetto (a low trumpet, in bass clef) | dugetto | dugetto | dugetto |
| |
euphonium | euphonium | Euphonium (zur Familie der Bügelhörner gehörig) | euphonium | eufonio |
| |
fanfare | fanfare trumpet, herald's trumpet, Aida trumpet (usually in E|b) | Fanfarentrompete, Heroldstrompete | fanfare | fanfara | ||
flügelhorn | flugelhorn (in B|b) | Flügelhorn (in B|b, selten in C) | bugle à piston | flicorno (soprano) | ||
harmonie-b | basse d'harmonie (ophicleide; but see also ophicleide) | Harmoniebass | basse d'harmonie | strumento più basso di una banda |
| |
helikon | helicon (tuba family, tubing goes around head and arm) | Helikon, Helikontuba | hélicon | helicon, elicone | ||
kornettino | cornettino (brass instrument!) | Kornettino | cornettino (cuivre) | cornettino (ottone) |
| |
kornetto | cornet (brass instrument, similar to trumpet, not cnto!) | Kornetto (nicht cnto) | cornet (pas cnto) | cornetto (non cnto) | ||
lituus | lituus (instrument with long tube that curves up at the end) | Lituus | lituus | lituus | ||
ophicleide | ophicleide (keyed brass instrument; see also harmonie-b) | Ophikleide (zur Familie der Klappenhörner gehörig) | ophicléide | oficleide | ||
piston | piston, rotary valve cornet | Ein (Ventil-)Kornett | cornet à pistons | cornetto a pistoni |
| |
posthorn | post horn, posthorn | Posthorn | cor postal | corno postale | ||
principale | principale (refers to trumpets) | Prinzipaltrompete |
|
|
| |
saxhorn | saxhorn. Some languages call some or all instruments of the family "saxhorn" while other languages use unique names. Always add pitch if known. | Saxhorn | saxhorn | saxhorn | ||
serpentone | serpent | Serpent (in Basslage, zur Zinkenfamilie gehörig) | serpent | serpentone | ||
t-cor | mellophone, mellophonium, tenor cor (in F) | Mellophon (in F, zur Familie der Hörner gehörig) |
|
| ||
tb | tuba | Tuba | tuba | tuba | ||
tenor horn | tenor horn, E|b horn (valved brass instrument of alto pitch, usually E|b; see also althorn and saxhorn) | Tenorhorn | bugle ténor | flicorno tenore |
| |
tr | trumpet | Trompete | trompette | tromba | ||
| tr a chiavi | keyed trumpet | Klappentrompete | trompette à clefs | tromba a chiavi | |
| tr crom | valve trumpet | Chromatische (Ventil-)Trompete | trompette chromatique | tromba cromatica |
|
trb | trombone (in B|b) | Posaune | trombone | trombone | ||
| a-trb | alto trombone (in E|b or F, common from 16th-18th centuries) | Altposaune (in E|b oder F, stark verbreitet vom 16.-18. Jh. und darüberhinaus) | trombone alto | trombone alto | |
| bariton-trb | baritone trombone | Baritonposaune | trombone baryton | trombone baritono |
|
| t-trb | tenor trombone (in B|b) | Tenorposaune (in B|b) | trombone ténor | trombone tenore | |
| b-trb | bass trombone (in F, G, or B|b) | Bassposaune (in F, G, oder B|b) | trombone basse | trombone basso | |
| trb a pistoni | valve trombone | Ventilposaune | trombone à pistons | trombone a pistoni |
|
trombetta | a small trumpet or tenor trombone | Trombetta (kürzere, höher klingende Variante der Barocktrompete) | petite trompette | trombetta |
| |
trombino | a high trumpet | Piccolotrompete | trompette piccolo | trombino |
Plucked instruments
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link |
arciliuto | archlute | Erzlaute | archiluth | arciliuto | |
arp | harp | Harfe | harpe | arpa | |
guit | guitar | Guitarre | guitare | chitarra | |
electric-guit | electric guitar | ||||
b-electric-guit | bass electric guitar | ||||
lira | lyre | Lyra | lyre | lira | |
lute | lute | Laute | luth | liuto | |
mandoline | mandolin | Mandoline | mandoline | mandolino | |
plck | plucked instrument(s) | Zupfinstrument(e) | instrument(s) à cordes pincées | strumento/i a pizzico |
|
requinto | requinto (similar to a guitar) | Requinto (Eine kleinere Gitarre) | requinto | requinto |
|
salterio | psaltery (zither family) | Psalterium, Psalter (zur Familie der Zithern gehörig) | psaltérion | salterio | |
theorbe | theorbo (lute family) | Theorbe (zur Lautenfamilie gehörig) | théorbe | tiorba | |
zither | zither | Zither | cithare | zither |
Percussion and other
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link |
batt | drums, drum set, drum kit (battery) | Schlagzeug | batterie | batteria |
|
birds singing | birds singing (can be an unspecified instrument that is supposed to represent birdsong) | Ein Instrument, das Vogelgezwitscher imitiert. |
|
|
|
campana | bell, handbell (see also campanella, sonagli [sleigh bells]) | Glocke | cloche | campana |
|
campane tub | chimes, tubular bells | Röhrenglocken | cloche tubulaire | campane tubolari | |
campanella | small bell (see also campana) | Glöckchen | clochettes | campanella |
|
campanelli | glock, bells (tuned metal bars arranged like a keyboard; one-octave models commonly but inaccurately called xylophone; see also lyra for the instrument played upright and held in the arm) | Glockenspiel (Stabspiel, ein Metallophon) | glockenspiel | glockenspiel | |
carillon | carillon | Carillon, Glockenspiel | carillon | carillon | |
cassa rulante | tenor drum, parade drum | Rührtrommel, Paradetrommel | caisse roulante | cassa rullante | |
castagnette | castanets (held in one hand or attached by a handle) | Kastagnetten | castagnettes | castagnette | |
cimb | small cymbals, finger cymbals | Zimbeln, Fingerzimbeln | cymbales, sagattes | cimbalini (a dita) | Link to MIMO |
cimbalom | dulcimer, cimbalom | Zymbal, Hackbrett | cymbalum | cimbalom | |
claves | claves (two cylindrical hardwood sticks) | Klanghölzer | claves | claves, legnetti | |
conga | congas, conga drums | Konga | conga | conga | |
cymb antiques | antique cymbals, crotales (small tuned metal disks, played with a mallet) | Antike Zimbeln, Crotales | crotales | crotales | |
glass harmonica | glass harmonica, glass armonica, glass harmonium, bowl organ, hydrocrystalophone, armonica, harmonica (glass bowls rubbed with fingertips; for glasses instead of bowls, see musical glasses) | Glasharmonika | harmonica de verre | armonica a bicchieri, glassarmonica | |
gong | gong | Gong | gong | gong | |
grancassa | bass drum | Große Trommel | grosse caisse | grancassa | |
kuckuck | cuckoo | Kuckuck | coucou | cuculo |
|
lyra | bell lyre, bell lyra, lyra glockenspiel (glockenspiel played upright and held in the arm) | Lyra, Militär-Lyra (ein Metallophon) |
|
| |
maracas | maracas | Maracas | maracas | maracas | |
marimba | marimba (typically with long metal tubes, played standing) | Marimba, Marimbaphon | marimba | marimba | |
musical clock | musical clock (a clock combined with a mechanical instrument that plays music) | Flötenuhr |
| orologio meccanico |
|
musical glasses | musical glasses (glasses played by striking or rubbing; for bowls, see glass harmonica) | Glasharfe | verrillon, vérillon | glasspiel, bicchieri musicali |
|
nacchere | rattle | Rassel | hochet | nacchere |
|
nachtigall | nightingale | Nachtigall | rossignol | usignolo |
|
piatti | cymbal(s) (pair) | Becken | cymbales | piatti | |
piatti cinesi | Chinese cymbal(s) (cymbal with upturned edges and raised cup) | Chinesische Zimbeln | cymbales chinoises | piatti cinesi | |
piatti sospesi | suspended/hanging/hung/free cymbal(s) | Hängende Zimbeln | cymbales suspendues | piatti sospesi | |
ratsche | ratchet | Ratsche | crécelle | raganella | |
sonagli | sleigh bells | Glockenstab, Schlittengeläut | grelots | sonagli | |
spoons | spoons | Löffel | cuillers, cuillères | cucchiai | |
stck | percussion | Schlagzeug, Schlagwerk | batterie | percussioni, batteria |
|
tam-tam | gong, tam-tam | Tamtam | tam-tam | tam-tam | |
tamb | drum (also if the kind of drum is not specified) | Trommel | tambour | tamburo |
|
tamb a corda | string drum, lion roar, lion's roar (a drum with a string that is rubbed) | Tambourin à cordes | tambour(in) à cordes | tamburo a corda |
|
tamb di provenza | tabor, field drum, long drum | Tambourin de Provence | tambourin de Provence | tamburo di Provenza |
|
tamb senza corda | drum with snares off | Tambour sans cordes, Trommel ohne Schnarrsaiten | tambour sans cordes | tamburo senza corde |
|
tamb turco | Turkish drum | Große Trommel, Türkische Trommel | tambour turc | tamburo turco |
|
tamburello | tambourine, hand drum | Tamburello (eine Rahmentrommel) | tambour de basque | tamburello | |
tamburino | snare drum, military drum, side drum, concert drum | Kleine Trommel | caisse claire | tamburino | |
timbales | timbales (drum, shallower than tom-tom) | Timbales (ein Trommelpaar) | timbales | timbales, timpanetti | |
timp | timpani (one or more), kettle drum(s) | Pauke(n) | timbales | timpani | |
tom-tom | tom-tom (drum, has no snare) | Tomtom (eine Trommel) | tom-tom | tom-tom | |
triangolo | triangle | Triangel | triangle | triangolo | |
vibrafono | vibraphone, vibraharp, vibes | Vibraphon (ein Metallophon) | vibraphone | vibrafono | |
xilofono | xylophone (consisting of wooden bars struck with mallets, generally higher than marimba; see also marimba; do not confuse with campanelli) | Xylophon (ein Aufschlagidiophon) | xylophone | xilofono |
Keyboard instruments
RISM | English | German | French | Italian | Link |
celesta | celesta (keyboard instrument) | Celesta | celesta | celesta | |
cemb | cembalo, clavicembalo, spinet, virginal | Cembalo, Clavicembalo | clavecin | clavicembalo, cembalo |
|
cemb 4hands | cembalo, etc. four-hands | Cembalo vierhändig | clavecin à quatre mains | cembalo a quattro mani |
|
clav | clavecin | Clavecin | clavecin | clavicembalo |
|
clavicordo | clavichord | Klavichord | clavicorde | clavicordo |
|
harmonium | harmonium (a small reed organ) | Harmonium | harmonium | armonium, armonio |
|
hpcd | harpsichord | Harpsichord | harpsichord | harpsichord |
|
keyb | (unspecified) keyboard instrument | Tasteninstrument | instrument à clavier | strumento a tastiera |
|
org | organ | Orgel | orgue | organo |
|
org 4hands | organ four-hands | Orgel vierhändig | orgue à quattre mains | organo a quattro mani |
|
organetto | barrel organ, organo a rullo (not the accordion-like Italian folk instrument) | Drehorgel, Leierkasten | orgue de Barbarie | organetto di Barberia | |
pf | piano | Pianoforte | piano | pianoforte |
|
pf 4hands | piano four-hands | Pianoforte vierhändig | piano à quattre mains | pianoforte a quattro mani |
|
physharmonica | physharmonica (keyboard instrument, resembles harmonium) | Physharmonika | physharmonica |
| |
spinetta | spinet | Spinett | espinette, épinette | spinetta |
Basso continuo
RISM | English | German | French | Italian |
|
b.fig | bass, figured | Bass, beziffert | basse, chiffrée | basso, cifrato |
|
bc | thoroughbass, basso continuo continuo | Generalbass | basse continue | basso continuo |
|