Composition refers to the process of creating original works of music, poetry, or other artistic pieces. It involves organizing and arranging various elements, such as notes, rhythms, words, or themes, to form a complete and cohesive piece. This creative process requires skill and imagination to craft something unique and expressive that reflects the creator's vision.

What is "composition"?

composition

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A ballad is a type of song or poem that tells a story, often about historical events, legends, or romantic tales. Ballads are typically characterized by their narrative style and can be set to music with a simple and memorable melody. They often follow a repetitive structure with verses and a chorus, making them easy to sing and remember. Ballads have been popular across various cultures and eras, serving as a way to convey stories and emotions through both music and words.

What is a "ballad"?

ballad

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An adagio is a part of a piece of music or a whole composition that is meant to be played slowly. It is known for its calm and gentle pace, which allows the performer to express more emotion and create a reflective mood. This slower tempo helps to highlight the music's expressive qualities and gives it a more soothing, thoughtful character.

What is an "adagio"?

adagio

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instrumental

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acoustic

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harmonic

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melodic

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ambient

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avant-garde

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indie

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A solo is a musical performance by a single person, either on an instrument or through singing. It highlights the individual performer’s skill and artistry, allowing them to take the spotlight and showcase their talent. Solos are often featured in various musical settings, including concerts, recitals, and recordings, and can be part of a larger composition or a standalone piece. The term emphasizes the focus on one performer rather than a group or ensemble.

What is a "solo"?

solo

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A duet is a musical composition written for two performers. It features two different parts, typically played or sung by separate instruments or voices, interacting and complementing each other. Duets can vary in style and form, ranging from classical to contemporary genres, and are designed to highlight the musical dialogue and harmony between the two performers.

What is a "duet"?

duet

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Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor ranges. It is known for its rich, warm tone and covers notes from lower to middle pitches. This voice type is often used for roles requiring a strong, resonant sound and is commonly featured in opera, musical theater, and other vocal performances. The baritone voice is versatile and can portray a wide range of characters, from villains to romantic leads.

What is "baritone"?

baritone

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A bar line is a vertical line drawn on the staff that divides a piece of music into sections called measures or bars. These lines help organize the music into manageable chunks, making it easier for musicians to read and follow the rhythm. Bar lines also assist in maintaining the structure and timing of the music by separating different rhythmic groupings and musical phrases. In addition to regular bar lines, there are special types, such as double bar lines, which indicate the end of a section, and final bar lines, which mark the end of a piece.

What is a "bar line"?

bar line

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A movement is a distinct section or part of a larger musical composition, such as a symphony, sonata, or concerto. Each movement typically has its own character, tempo, and structure, contributing to the overall form of the piece. Movements are often separated by pauses and can vary in mood, style, and dynamics, creating a varied and interesting experience within the larger work.

What is a "movement"?

movement

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A chord is a group of three or more musical notes played together simultaneously. These notes are typically chosen to create a harmonious sound, and they work together to form the basis of harmony in a piece of music. For example, a basic chord might include a root note, a third, and a fifth note, creating a rich sound that supports melodies. Chords are used to provide structure and emotion in music, and they help to define the harmonic framework of a song or composition.

What is a "chord"?

chord

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A measure, also known as a bar, is a segment of time in a piece of music defined by a specific number of beats. It is marked by vertical lines called bar lines on the staff. Each measure contains a set number of beats, as indicated by the time signature at the beginning of the piece. Measures help to organize music into manageable sections, making it easier for musicians to follow the rhythm and structure of the piece.

What is a "measure"?

measure

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A scale is a series of musical notes arranged in ascending or descending order by pitch. It typically follows a specific pattern of intervals, or distances between the notes, which helps to create a particular sound or mood. For example, a major scale follows a pattern of whole and half steps that gives it a bright, happy sound, while a minor scale has a different pattern that often sounds more somber. Scales are the foundation for melodies and harmonies in music.

What is a "scale"?

scale

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An encore is an additional performance or song given by an artist or band at the end of a concert, usually in response to enthusiastic applause or calls from the audience. It often features a favorite song or a special piece that was not included in the main setlist. Encores provide a way for performers to show appreciation for their audience and to deliver a memorable ending to the event.

What is an "encore"?

encore

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In music, discord refers to a combination of notes that creates a sense of tension or conflict. These notes do not blend smoothly together and often sound unstable or harsh when played together. Discord is used intentionally to create emotional impact, build suspense, or highlight contrast in a piece of music.

What is "discord"?

discord

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Dissonance in music refers to a combination of notes that creates a sense of tension or unrest. These notes clash with each other in a way that feels unstable or unresolved. Dissonance often contrasts with consonance, which is a combination of notes that sound harmonious and pleasant together. Dissonant intervals and chords are used to create a sense of drama, tension, or conflict in music, and they usually resolve to consonant intervals to create a feeling of resolution or rest.

What is "dissonance"?

dissonance

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A coda is a concluding section added to the end of a musical composition or movement. It serves to bring the piece to a finish, often by revisiting themes or ideas from earlier in the music and providing a final resolution. The coda is typically distinct from the main sections and can be shorter or more elaborate, depending on the piece. It helps to give a sense of closure and completeness to the composition.

What is a "coda"?

coda

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A clef is a musical symbol placed at the beginning of the staff to indicate which pitches correspond to the lines and spaces. It helps musicians read and play music by defining the range of notes for a particular staff. The most common clefs are the treble clef, which is used for higher-pitched notes, and the bass clef, which is used for lower-pitched notes. Other clefs, such as the alto and tenor clefs, are used for specific ranges and instruments. The clef ensures that the notes written on the staff are interpreted correctly by showing their specific pitch.

What is a "clef"?

clef

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A concerto is a musical composition typically written for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra. It features a dialogue between the soloists and the orchestra, where the soloists play a prominent role and showcase their skill, while the orchestra provides accompaniment and support. A concerto usually has multiple movements, with contrasting tempos and characters, allowing the soloists to demonstrate their technical abilities and expressiveness.

What is a "concerto"?

concerto

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An opus is a term used to identify a particular musical work by a composer, with each opus usually assigned a number that reflects the order in which it was composed. This numbering helps organize and catalog a composer’s body of work, especially when they have created many pieces. For example, Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5" is also known as "Opus 67," indicating it is the 67th work in his catalog. The use of "opus" provides a way to organize and reference a composer's compositions systematically.

What is an "opus"?

opus

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A discography is a comprehensive list or collection of all the music recordings made by an artist or a group, including albums, singles, and sometimes even tracks from compilations or guest appearances. It provides a complete record of the artist's musical output over their career, often organized chronologically. A discography can be used to track the evolution of an artist's work and to find specific recordings.

What is a "discography"?

discography

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A compilation is a collection of different items gathered from various sources and assembled into one book, record, or other form of media. For example, a music compilation might bring together popular songs from different artists into one album, while a book compilation might include selected writings or stories by different authors in a single volume. The purpose is to provide a diverse range of content in a single package.

What is a "compilation"?

compilation

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An étude is a musical composition specifically designed to help performers practice and improve their technical skills on an instrument. It typically focuses on a particular technical challenge, such as finger agility, rhythm, or dynamic control. While études are often used as exercises for practice, many are also composed to be musically engaging and can be performed in concerts. They serve both as training tools and as pieces that showcase the performer's technical abilities.

What is an "étude"?

etude

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A fingerboard is the long, flat surface on a stringed musical instrument where the player presses down the strings to change their pitch. Found on instruments such as guitars, violins, and basses, the fingerboard is usually made of wood. Some fingerboards have frets or markers to help the player find the correct positions for different notes, while others, like those on violins and cellos, are fretless. By pressing the strings against the fingerboard, the player shortens their length, which raises the pitch of the notes produced. The design and condition of the fingerboard are important for the instrument's playability and sound quality.

What is a "fingerboard"?

fingerboard

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to headline

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to improvise

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major

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minor

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An interval in music refers to the distance between two notes, measured by the number of steps or spaces on the musical staff. It can be described by its size, such as a third or a fifth, and its quality, such as major, minor, perfect, or diminished. For example, the distance between C and E is a major third interval because there are three letter names (C, D, E) and two whole steps between them. Intervals are important for creating melodies and harmonies, as they help define the relationships between notes and contribute to the overall sound and mood of the music.

What is an "interval"?

interval

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Pitch refers to the degree of highness or lowness of a sound, which is determined by the frequency of the sound waves that produce it. Higher frequencies result in higher pitches, while lower frequencies produce lower pitches. For example, a whistle has a high pitch due to its rapid vibrations, whereas a bass drum produces a low pitch because of slower vibrations. Pitch plays a crucial role in music and language, as it helps convey meaning, emotion, and musical notes, contributing to the overall experience of sound.

What is "pitch"?

pitch

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Tempo is the speed at which a piece of music is played. It indicates how fast or slow the beat of the music should be, affecting the overall pace of the performance. Tempo is usually measured in beats per minute (BPM) and can be marked in sheet music with terms like "allegro" for fast or "adagio" for slow. It helps to set the mood and energy of the music, guiding performers on how quickly or slowly to play each section.

What is a "tempo"?

tempo

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An octave is the interval between one musical pitch and another pitch that is either double or half its frequency. In simple terms, it is the distance between two notes with the same name but at different pitches. For example, if you play a C note, the next C note higher or lower is an octave away. The sound of these notes is perceived as very similar, though one is higher or lower than the other. Octaves are fundamental in music for creating harmony and structure, and they help in organizing the musical scale.

What is an "octave"?

octave

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to pluck

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monophonic

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A refrain is a repeated line or group of lines in a poem or song, typically occurring at the end of stanzas. This repetition adds emphasis and can create a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the work. Refrains often enhance the emotional impact of the piece, reinforcing key themes or ideas. They can serve as a memorable focal point for the reader or listener, making the overall message more resonant. Common in various poetic forms and musical genres, refrains contribute to the structure and flow of the composition, adding to its lyrical quality.

What is a "refrain"?

refrain

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Here you will learn some English words about music, such as "acoustic", "duet", "measure", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

Words related to "Music" | Essential Vocabulary for the GRE