Music in German: 145 Vocabulary Phrases To Discuss About Your Ardour


As you’re employed to construct your fluency, make German straightforward to study by studying phrases about your passions resembling music in German. The German phrase for “music” is Musik or die Musik. Classical music has been a central a part of Germany’s tradition for numerous years, so studying music vocabulary is a sensible thought. If you wish to arrange a house studio, play in a band, or talk about your favourite style of music with a German-speaking pen pal, then understanding the phrases round which music is constructed will enable you speak about your ardour that rather more.

The significance of music in German tradition and historical past

From the late eleventh century by the Renaissance (and even into the trendy day), music has been created and cultivated by German composers and musicians in German-speaking international locations. Many durations of time in Germany are even outlined by the kind of music performed throughout them. The Baroque period, for instance, is intently tied to the intricate Musikstücke (musical items) composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, a well-known German composer.

Immediately, music continues to be a vibrant middle level of German tradition, although the most well-liked genres have definitely shifted with the years. Whereas a deep respect for the classical music of yesteryear stays, rock and pop (like Rammstein, Nena, and the Scorpions) are the hottest genres of music in fashionable Germany. 

Many tickets to such reveals are even sponsored by the German authorities, permitting the general public to understand German tradition at a extra inexpensive worth. This reveals how necessary music is to the German folks and their tradition.

Whereas most main German cities have opera homes, Vienna, Austria is a perfect vacation spot for classical music lovers. You may catch a dwell efficiency of Mozart or Beethoven’s biggest works on the Musikverein or the Wien Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) the place the attractive decor and distinctive performances can carry these well-known items of music to life.

Names of musical devices in German

Do you know that a number of Musikinstrumente (musical devices), such because the piano, clarinet, and glockenspiel, have been invented in Germany? Understanding what to name a piano in German or a violin in German reveals your appreciation for his or her historical past as you’re employed by yourself nice compositions. 

Here’s a chart displaying the German names of standard devices, together with their pronunciations and English translations. Contemplate reviewing the pronunciation of German umlauts and the German alphabet if a few of these phrases really feel difficult to say out loud.

GermanPronunciationEnglish Translation
das Akkordeonac-COR-dee-ONaccordion
das BeckenBEC-incymbals
die BlasinstumenteBLAHZ-in-stroo-MEN-tinwind devices
die BratscheBRAHT-shuhviola
das CelloCHEL-ohcello
die E-GitarreEE gee-TAR-uhelectrical guitar
das EnglischhornANG-lish-HORNEnglish horn
das Fagottfah-GOHbassoon
die FlöteFLOEH-tuhflute
die GeigeGEI-guhviolin
die GitarreGEE-tar-uhguitar
die GlockenschlägeGLOC-in-SHLAE-guhchimes
das GlockenspielGLOC-in-shpeelglockenspiel
die HarfeHAR-fuhharp
die HolzblasinstrumenteHOLTS- BLAHZ-in-stroo-MEN-tinwoodwind devices
die KlarinetteCLAHR-in-et-uhclarinet
das KlavierKLAH-VEERpiano
das KeyboardKEE-bordkeyboard
die LauteLOW-tuhlute
die LeinentrommelLEI-nen-TROHM-melsnare drum
die MundharmonikaMUHND-har-MON-icaharmonica
die OboeOH-BOEoboe
die OrgelOHR-gehlorgan
die PanflötePAHN-floeh-tuhpan flute
die PiccoloflötePIC-oloh-floeh-tuhpiccolo
die Posaunepoh-SOW-nuhtrombone
die SaiteninstrumenteZEI-TEN-in-stroom-EN-TUHstring devices
das SaxophonSAHX-oh-fohnsaxophone
das SchlagzeugSHLAC-tsoigdrum set
die TrompeteTROHM-pet-uhtrumpet
die TubaTOO-buhtuba
das VioloncelloVEE-OH-lon-CHEL-ohvioloncello
das WaldhornVALD-hornFrench horn
die ZiehflöteTSEE-floeh-tuhslide whistle

Phrases for vocal music in German

Talking of musical devices in German, there’s one you all the time carry with you—your voice! It’s essential when becoming a member of a German-speaking choir or discussing music with German vocalists that you understand how to explain your individual vocal vary or that of others. Are you an Alt (alto), a Bariton (baritone), or one thing else completely? Now you’ll be capable to discuss to others about it!

Consult with this chart to see what Germans name vocal ranges, together with a useful pronunciation information and their English translations that will help you study the phrases for music in German.

GermanPronunciationEnglish Translation
AltAHLTalto
BaritonBAHR-i-tohnbaritone
BassBAHSbass
Gesanggeh-SAHNGvocals
ContratenorCON-trah-ten-ORcounter tenor
hoheho-huhexcessive voice
MezzosopranMEHZ-oh-so-PRAHNmezza soprano
mittlereMIT-ler-uhmedium voice
Sopransoh-PRAHNsoprano
StimmeSHTIM-uhvoice
TenorTEN-ortenor
tiefeTEEF-uhlow voice

What Germans name completely different music genres

sheet music and recording equipment on the floor next to the feet of several people

Rock, pop, and the golden oldies are the most well-liked genres of music in Germany—what’s your favourite? Since a lot of the genres of music you’ll see beneath have been invented outdoors of Germany, lots of them are loanwords or German cognates, that means they appear and sound similar to their English counterparts.

Check out the chart beneath and discover the phrase in your favourite music style in German alongside its pronunciation and English translation.

German PronunciationEnglish Translation
Variousal-TER-na-teefdifferent
BluesBLOOZblues
Elektroeh-LEK-trodigital
FunkFUNKqfunk
GospelGOS-pelgospel
Heavy SteelHEH-vee MEH-talheavy steel
Hip-HopHIP-hophip-hop
HomeHOWShome
IndieIN-deeindie
JazzJAZZjazz
KlassikKLAH-sikclassical
LiedermacherLEE-der-mah-khersinger-songwriter
SteelMEH-talsteel
Neue Deutsche WelleNOY-eh DOY-tshe VEH-lenew German wave
PopPOPpop
PunkPUHNKpunk
RapREPrap
ReggaeREH-gehreggae
RockROKrock
SchlagerSHLAH-gerGerman pop ballads
SoulSOHLsoul
TechnoTEK-notechno
TranceTRAHNStrance
VolksmusikFOLKS-moo-zeekfolks music
WeltmusikVELT-moo-zeekworld music

What’s your position? German names for various musicians

When you make music, then you definitely even have a task in music vocabulary in German! Remember the fact that the German language has particular phrases for women and men for every position per German gender guidelines, so be aware as you choose which time period to say to keep away from offense. It’s as straightforward to recollect the distinction in female and male phrases as it’s to know the months of the yr in German. For feminine roles, you merely add an -in to the top of the male time period!

This chart reveals what completely different musicians and band roles are referred to as within the German language and allows you to know how you can pronounce them:

German (Masculine/Female)PronunciationEnglish Translation
Arrangeur/Arrangeurina-rahn-ZHUHRarranger
BandmitgleidBAND-mit-GLEIDband member
Bassist/Bassistinbah-SISTbassist
Bühnenarbeiter/BühnenarbeiterinBOOH-nen-AR-bite-erstage employee
Cellist/Cellistincheh-LEESTcellist
Chorsänger/ChorsängerinKOHR-ZENG-erchoir singer
Dirigent/Dirigentindee-ree-GENTconductor
Geiger/GeigerinGEI-gerviolinist
Gitarrist/Gitarristingee-tar-REESTguitarist
Keyboarder/KeyboarderinKEE-BORD-erkeyboardist
Klavierspieler/Klavierspielerinklah-VEER-SHPEE-lerpianist
Komponist/Komponistinkom-po-NEESTcomposer
Leadgitarrist/LeadgitarristinLEED-gee-tar-REESTlead guitarist
Liedermacher/LiedermacherinLEE-der-makh-ertune author
Multinstrumentalist/MultinstrumentalistinMOOL-tee-in-stru-men-ta-LEESTmulti-instrumentalist
Musiker/MusikerinMOO-zee-kermusician
Musiklehrer/Musiklehrerinmoo-ZEEK-kay-rermusic trainer
Musikproduzent/Musikproduzentinmoo-ZEEK-proh-DOOTS-entmusic producer
Rapper/RapperinREP-perrapper
Rhythmusgitarrist/RhythmusgitarristinRITH-mus-gee-tar-REESTrhythm guitarist
RoadieROH-deeroadie
Sänger/SängerinZENG-ersinger
Schlagzeuger/SchlagzeugerinSHLAG-tsoi-gerdrummer
Solist/Solistinzo-LEESTsoloist
Tontechniker/TontechnikerinTONE-tekh-ni-kersound technician

Be taught the musical dynamics in German

While you’re struggling to recollect the correct time period or German phrase to explain how a bit of music ought to sound, refer again to this chart for a useful reference. Although many classically skilled German musicians know the worldwide Italian phrases for dynamics, like forte (loud) and piano (delicate), there are German equivalents which can be typically used as properly. 

So, in the event you get pleasure from discussing music idea in German, it might be useful so that you can know each phrases. Then while you take heed to a Symphonie (symphony) performed by an Orchester (orchestra), you’ll know precisely what dynamics the Komponist (composer) used.

See the next chart for the German phrases for musical dynamics and learn to pronounce them correctly:

German PronunciationEnglish Translation
allmählich lauter werdenal-MAY-likh LOUT-er VAIR-denprogressively getting louder (crescendo)
allmählich leiser werdenal-MAY-likh LYE-zer VAIR-denprogressively getting softer (decrescendo)
anschwellendAHNSH-vel-landswelling/rising
ausdrucksvollOWS-drooks-follexpressive (espressivo)
betontbeh-TOHNTmarked (marcato)
ganz leiseGAHNTS LYE-zuhutterly quiet/barely audible
gedämpftguh-DEHMPFTmuted (con sordino)
heftigHEF-tikhintense (agitato)
lautLOUTloud (forte)
leiseLYE-zuhdelicate (piano)
markiertmar-KEERTmarked/distinct
mäßig lautMEH-sikh LOUTreasonably loud (mezzo forte)
mäßig leiseMEH-sikh LYE-zuhreasonably delicate (mezzo piano)
mit Nachdruckmit NAHKH-drukwith emphasis (con forza)
nachlassendNAKH-lass-endfading away (calando)
ohne DämpferOH-neh DEHMPF-erwith out mute (senza sordino)
plötzlichPLUHTS-likhout of the blue (subito)
plötzlich lautPLUHTS-likh LOUTout of the blue loud (sforzando)
ruhigROO-ikhcalm (tranquillo)
sehr lautZAYR LOUTvery loud (fortissimo)
sehr leiseZAYR LYE-zuhvery delicate (pianissimo)
stufenweise leiserSHTOO-fen-vy-ze LYE-zerstepwise softer (perdendosi)
verklingendfer-KLING-enddying away/fading
verstärkendfer-SHTAIRK-endstrengthening (rinforzando)
zartTSAHRTdelicate (dolce)

German music phrases for important music studio tools

man sitting at a sound mixing station using words for music in german

Fashionable musicians typically discover it unimaginable to correctly participate of their musical career or passion with out the help of fashionable know-how and tools. Feeling snug speaking a few music studio setup or speaking how a bit of apparatus must be adjusted requires the information of what the gear round you known as.

Check out the next chart to study the names of widespread music studio tools in German and their right pronunciation:

GermanPronunciationEnglish Translation
die Akustikplatteah-KOOS-tik-plat-teacoustic panel
das AudioaufnahmegerätOW-dee-oh-OWF-nah-meh-ge-RAYTaudio recorder
das AudiointerfaceOW-dee-oh-IN-ter-faysaudio interface
die AufnahmekabineOWF-nah-meh-kah-BEE-nehvocal sales space
der Diffusordiff-OO-zordiffusor
der EqualizerEE-kwa-lie-zerequalizer
das KabelKAH-belcable
der Kompressorkom-PRESS-orcompresser
der KopfhörerKOPF-huh-rerheadphones
der KopfhörerverstärkerKOPF-huh-rer-fer-SHTAIRK-erheadphone amp
der LautsprecherLOWT-shpreh-kherspeaker
das MikrofonMEE-kroh-fohnmicrophone
der Mikrofonständermee-kroh-FOHN-shten-dermicrophone stand
das MischpultMISH-pooltmixing board
der PegelanzeigerPAY-gel-ahn-TSYE-gerrdegree meter
der PopschutzPOP-shootspop filter
die RaumakustikROWM-ah-KOOS-tikroom acoustics
das Reflexionsfilterreh-FLEK-tsee-ohns-fil-terreflection filter
die SchalldämmungSHAL-dem-oongsoundproofing
das Stativshtah-TEEFstand/tripod
die StudiomonitoreSHTOO-dee-oh-moh-nee-toh-restudio screens
der SubwooferSUB-woo-fersubwoofer
der Verstärkerfer-SHTAIRK-eramplifier
der VorverstärkerFOR-fer-SHTAIRK-erpreamp

Germany’s musical legacy continues to form and encourage musicians and language students alike. Studying sensible phrases that match together with your passions is a wonderful technique to study German and increase your vocabulary in a fascinating method. Search for different alternatives to boost your German research with thrilling subjects like with Rosetta Stone’s dynamic immersion methodology. It helps discover the educational model that matches you greatest and connects you with attention-grabbing and fashionable themes.

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