In a work of reference of this kind it is always difficult to find any definite principle by which to include or exclude the words to be explained. On the one hand, if all words—however rare their use in music—were to be given, the bulk of the book would be inconveniently large: on the other hand, words seldom met with are from that very fact often more in need of explanation.

The Editors hope, that from practical experience and knowledge, they have succeeded in collecting the chief musical terms met with in scientific; theoretical, and practical treatises, and in the more common annotated programmes and newspaper criticisms. That every subject should be treated in an exhaustive manner would be, of course, impossible; but the Editors have endeavoured to give sufficiently true outlines of matters of fact to inform the amateur correctly, and intimate to the musical student the results to which his own reading will probably tend.