- Μουσική
Music got its name from the word «Μούσα» (Greek pronunciation Moussa) = “Muse”. The Muses were nine deities of mountains and water.
They are the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts in Greek mythology. They were considered the source of the knowledge embodied in the poetry, lyric and songs. They were daughters of Zeus, the second generation king of the gods, and the offspring of Mnemosyne, goddess of memory.
They were later adopted by the Romans as a part of their pantheon.
In current English usage, “muse” can refer in general to a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician.
- Μελωδία
The word melody is produced from two words: the word “μέλος» (Greek pronunciation melos), that means choral song and the word “ωδή” (Greek pronunciation odi or ody) meaning poem which was sung with accompaniment of lyre.
- Ρυθμός
The word rhythm is produced by the Greek verb «ρέω» (Greek pronunciation reeo) that means flow.
- Ύμνος
Hymn is an ancient Greek word (Greek pronunciation: hymnos).
- Αρμονία
The word harmony comes from the Greek verb «ἀραρίσκω» (Greek pronunciation ararisko) meaning: connecting, constructing, arranging.
In ancient Greek religion, Armonia is the immortal goddess of peace, harmony and concord. Her Roman counterpart is Concordia. Her parents are the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite, and the God of War, Ares.
Harmony married Cadmus, king of Thebes, and all the gods went to their wedding with brilliant gifts. But luck was not good since several of their children and grandchildren died. So Cadmus and Harmony asked the gods to transform them into snakes to avoid experiencing the punishment of their offspring. The gods heard their wish and transformed them into snakes.
- Συμφωνία
The word symphony is a compound word. It comes from the preposition “συν” (Greek pronunciation syn) having the meaning “together” and the noun “φωνή” (Greek pronunciation foni) which means voice, sound.
- Σύνθεση
The word synthesis is a compound word. It comes from the preposition “συν” having the meaning “together” and the verb «θέτω» (Greek pronunciation theto) which means: put, place, set.
- Οκτάβα
The octave (do,re,mi,fa,sol,la,si,do) is the feminine form of the Latin adjective “octavus”, derived from the Greek number “οκτώ» (Greek pronunciation octo) that means “eight”.
- Ορχήστρα
The word orchestra derived from the ancient Greek verb «ορχούμαι» (Greek pronunciation orchoume), meaning “dance”. In ancient times, the orchestra was the circular part of the theater in which members of the chorus danced, in other words they performed rhythmic movements.