Music in German: 145 Vocabulary Phrases To Discuss About Your Ardour
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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.
German | Pronunciation | English Translation |
das Akkordeon | ac-COR-dee-ON | accordion |
das Becken | BEC-in | cymbals |
die Blasinstumente | BLAHZ-in-stroo-MEN-tin | wind devices |
die Bratsche | BRAHT-shuh | viola |
das Cello | CHEL-oh | cello |
die E-Gitarre | EE gee-TAR-uh | electrical guitar |
das Englischhorn | ANG-lish-HORN | English horn |
das Fagott | fah-GOH | bassoon |
die Flöte | FLOEH-tuh | flute |
die Geige | GEI-guh | violin |
die Gitarre | GEE-tar-uh | guitar |
die Glockenschläge | GLOC-in-SHLAE-guh | chimes |
das Glockenspiel | GLOC-in-shpeel | glockenspiel |
die Harfe | HAR-fuh | harp |
die Holzblasinstrumente | HOLTS- BLAHZ-in-stroo-MEN-tin | woodwind devices |
die Klarinette | CLAHR-in-et-uh | clarinet |
das Klavier | KLAH-VEER | piano |
das Keyboard | KEE-bord | keyboard |
die Laute | LOW-tuh | lute |
die Leinentrommel | LEI-nen-TROHM-mel | snare drum |
die Mundharmonika | MUHND-har-MON-ica | harmonica |
die Oboe | OH-BOE | oboe |
die Orgel | OHR-gehl | organ |
die Panflöte | PAHN-floeh-tuh | pan flute |
die Piccoloflöte | PIC-oloh-floeh-tuh | piccolo |
die Posaune | poh-SOW-nuh | trombone |
die Saiteninstrumente | ZEI-TEN-in-stroom-EN-TUH | string devices |
das Saxophon | SAHX-oh-fohn | saxophone |
das Schlagzeug | SHLAC-tsoig | drum set |
die Trompete | TROHM-pet-uh | trumpet |
die Tuba | TOO-buh | tuba |
das Violoncello | VEE-OH-lon-CHEL-oh | violoncello |
das Waldhorn | VALD-horn | French horn |
die Ziehflöte | TSEE-floeh-tuh | slide 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.
German | Pronunciation | English Translation |
Alt | AHLT | alto |
Bariton | BAHR-i-tohn | baritone |
Bass | BAHS | bass |
Gesang | geh-SAHNG | vocals |
Contratenor | CON-trah-ten-OR | counter tenor |
hohe | ho-huh | excessive voice |
Mezzosopran | MEHZ-oh-so-PRAHN | mezza soprano |
mittlere | MIT-ler-uh | medium voice |
Sopran | soh-PRAHN | soprano |
Stimme | SHTIM-uh | voice |
Tenor | TEN-or | tenor |
tiefe | TEEF-uh | low voice |
What Germans name completely different music genres

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 | Pronunciation | English Translation |
Various | al-TER-na-teef | different |
Blues | BLOOZ | blues |
Elektro | eh-LEK-tro | digital |
Funk | FUNKq | funk |
Gospel | GOS-pel | gospel |
Heavy Steel | HEH-vee MEH-tal | heavy steel |
Hip-Hop | HIP-hop | hip-hop |
Home | HOWS | home |
Indie | IN-dee | indie |
Jazz | JAZZ | jazz |
Klassik | KLAH-sik | classical |
Liedermacher | LEE-der-mah-kher | singer-songwriter |
Steel | MEH-tal | steel |
Neue Deutsche Welle | NOY-eh DOY-tshe VEH-le | new German wave |
Pop | POP | pop |
Punk | PUHNK | punk |
Rap | REP | rap |
Reggae | REH-geh | reggae |
Rock | ROK | rock |
Schlager | SHLAH-ger | German pop ballads |
Soul | SOHL | soul |
Techno | TEK-no | techno |
Trance | TRAHNS | trance |
Volksmusik | FOLKS-moo-zeek | folks music |
Weltmusik | VELT-moo-zeek | world 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) | Pronunciation | English Translation |
Arrangeur/Arrangeurin | a-rahn-ZHUHR | arranger |
Bandmitgleid | BAND-mit-GLEID | band member |
Bassist/Bassistin | bah-SIST | bassist |
Bühnenarbeiter/Bühnenarbeiterin | BOOH-nen-AR-bite-er | stage employee |
Cellist/Cellistin | cheh-LEEST | cellist |
Chorsänger/Chorsängerin | KOHR-ZENG-er | choir singer |
Dirigent/Dirigentin | dee-ree-GENT | conductor |
Geiger/Geigerin | GEI-ger | violinist |
Gitarrist/Gitarristin | gee-tar-REEST | guitarist |
Keyboarder/Keyboarderin | KEE-BORD-er | keyboardist |
Klavierspieler/Klavierspielerin | klah-VEER-SHPEE-ler | pianist |
Komponist/Komponistin | kom-po-NEEST | composer |
Leadgitarrist/Leadgitarristin | LEED-gee-tar-REEST | lead guitarist |
Liedermacher/Liedermacherin | LEE-der-makh-er | tune author |
Multinstrumentalist/Multinstrumentalistin | MOOL-tee-in-stru-men-ta-LEEST | multi-instrumentalist |
Musiker/Musikerin | MOO-zee-ker | musician |
Musiklehrer/Musiklehrerin | moo-ZEEK-kay-rer | music trainer |
Musikproduzent/Musikproduzentin | moo-ZEEK-proh-DOOTS-ent | music producer |
Rapper/Rapperin | REP-per | rapper |
Rhythmusgitarrist/Rhythmusgitarristin | RITH-mus-gee-tar-REEST | rhythm guitarist |
Roadie | ROH-dee | roadie |
Sänger/Sängerin | ZENG-er | singer |
Schlagzeuger/Schlagzeugerin | SHLAG-tsoi-ger | drummer |
Solist/Solistin | zo-LEEST | soloist |
Tontechniker/Tontechnikerin | TONE-tekh-ni-ker | sound 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 | Pronunciation | English Translation |
allmählich lauter werden | al-MAY-likh LOUT-er VAIR-den | progressively getting louder (crescendo) |
allmählich leiser werden | al-MAY-likh LYE-zer VAIR-den | progressively getting softer (decrescendo) |
anschwellend | AHNSH-vel-land | swelling/rising |
ausdrucksvoll | OWS-drooks-foll | expressive (espressivo) |
betont | beh-TOHNT | marked (marcato) |
ganz leise | GAHNTS LYE-zuh | utterly quiet/barely audible |
gedämpft | guh-DEHMPFT | muted (con sordino) |
heftig | HEF-tikh | intense (agitato) |
laut | LOUT | loud (forte) |
leise | LYE-zuh | delicate (piano) |
markiert | mar-KEERT | marked/distinct |
mäßig laut | MEH-sikh LOUT | reasonably loud (mezzo forte) |
mäßig leise | MEH-sikh LYE-zuh | reasonably delicate (mezzo piano) |
mit Nachdruck | mit NAHKH-druk | with emphasis (con forza) |
nachlassend | NAKH-lass-end | fading away (calando) |
ohne Dämpfer | OH-neh DEHMPF-er | with out mute (senza sordino) |
plötzlich | PLUHTS-likh | out of the blue (subito) |
plötzlich laut | PLUHTS-likh LOUT | out of the blue loud (sforzando) |
ruhig | ROO-ikh | calm (tranquillo) |
sehr laut | ZAYR LOUT | very loud (fortissimo) |
sehr leise | ZAYR LYE-zuh | very delicate (pianissimo) |
stufenweise leiser | SHTOO-fen-vy-ze LYE-zer | stepwise softer (perdendosi) |
verklingend | fer-KLING-end | dying away/fading |
verstärkend | fer-SHTAIRK-end | strengthening (rinforzando) |
zart | TSAHRT | delicate (dolce) |
German music phrases for important music studio tools

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:
German | Pronunciation | English Translation |
die Akustikplatte | ah-KOOS-tik-plat-te | acoustic panel |
das Audioaufnahmegerät | OW-dee-oh-OWF-nah-meh-ge-RAYT | audio recorder |
das Audiointerface | OW-dee-oh-IN-ter-fays | audio interface |
die Aufnahmekabine | OWF-nah-meh-kah-BEE-neh | vocal sales space |
der Diffusor | diff-OO-zor | diffusor |
der Equalizer | EE-kwa-lie-zer | equalizer |
das Kabel | KAH-bel | cable |
der Kompressor | kom-PRESS-or | compresser |
der Kopfhörer | KOPF-huh-rer | headphones |
der Kopfhörerverstärker | KOPF-huh-rer-fer-SHTAIRK-er | headphone amp |
der Lautsprecher | LOWT-shpreh-kher | speaker |
das Mikrofon | MEE-kroh-fohn | microphone |
der Mikrofonständer | mee-kroh-FOHN-shten-der | microphone stand |
das Mischpult | MISH-poolt | mixing board |
der Pegelanzeiger | PAY-gel-ahn-TSYE-gerr | degree meter |
der Popschutz | POP-shoots | pop filter |
die Raumakustik | ROWM-ah-KOOS-tik | room acoustics |
das Reflexionsfilter | reh-FLEK-tsee-ohns-fil-ter | reflection filter |
die Schalldämmung | SHAL-dem-oong | soundproofing |
das Stativ | shtah-TEEF | stand/tripod |
die Studiomonitore | SHTOO-dee-oh-moh-nee-toh-re | studio screens |
der Subwoofer | SUB-woo-fer | subwoofer |
der Verstärker | fer-SHTAIRK-er | amplifier |
der Vorverstärker | FOR-fer-SHTAIRK-er | preamp |
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.