English Words for "Describing Music"

acoustic

Adjective

a

ə

c

k

ou

u

s

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i

ɪ

c

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(of a musical instrument) making a sound that is natural, not amplified

Example

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She preferred the acoustic guitar for its warm, natural tone.

The band played an acoustic set, showcasing their talent without electronic amplification.

staccato

Adjective

s

t

a

ə

cc

k

a

ɑ

t

o

oʊ

a style of playing or singing musical notes with short, distinct intervals between them

legato

tuneless

Adjective

t

u

u:

n

e

l

e

ə

ss

s

lacking a pleasant tune

tuneful

Adjective

t

u

n

e

f

u

ə

l

pleasantly melodic and harmonious

tuneless

tenor

Adjective

t

e

ɛ

n

o

ɜ

r

relating to the adult male voice of the highest natural pitch range

vivace

Adverb

v

i

ɪ

v

a

eɪ

c

s

e

(music) in a lively and animated manner

symphonic

Adjective

s

y

ɪ

m

ph

f

o

ɑ

n

i

ɪ

c

k

connected with or in form of a symphony

melodious

Adjective

m

e

ə

l

o

oʊ

d

iou

iə

s

having a pleasant sound

unmelodious

melodic

Adjective

m

e

ə

l

o

ɑ

d

i

ɪ

c

k

having a pleasing, musical sound

unmelodious

major

Adjective

m

a

eɪ

j

ʤ

o

ə

r

based on a scale in which the interval between the third and the fourth notes and the seventh and the eighth notes is a half step

minor

live

Adverb

l

i

ɪ

v

e

used when an event or performance is happening at the present moment or being broadcast in real-time

Grammatical Information:

adverb of manner

instrumental

Adjective

i

ɪ

n

s

t

r

u

ə

m

e

ɛ

n

t

a

ə

l

(of music) made only by instruments and without vocals

vocal

harmonic

Adjective

h

a

ɑ

r

m

o

ɑ

n

i

ɪ

c

k

having blended sounds or tones that combine in a pleasing way

nonharmonic

sharp

Adjective

sh

ʃ

a

ɑ

r

p

having a slightly higher pitch than the corresponding natural note

minor

Adjective

m

i

aɪ

n

o

ɜ

r

based on a scale in which the interval between the second and the third notes, the fifth and the sixth notes and the seventh and eighth notes is a half step

major

ambient

Adjective

a

æ

m

b

ie

iə

n

t

relating to the type of music that emphasizes on tone and atmosphere rather than traditional structure

low

Adjective

l

o

oʊ

w

(of a vowel) articulated by positioning the tongue down and the mouth open

brassy

Adjective

b

r

a

æ

ss

s

y

i

having a harsh, loud, or bold tone, reminiscent of brass instruments

rhythmic

Adjective

r

h

y

ɪ

th

ð

m

i

ɪ

c

k

having a pattern or regular sequence of sounds, movements, or events

unrhythmical

musical

Adjective

m

u

ju:

s

z

i

ɪ

c

k

a

ə

l

relating to or containing music

orchestral

Adjective

o

ɔ

r

ch

k

e

ɛ

s

t

r

a

ə

l

made for or related to an orchestra, typically involving a wide range of instruments playing together

classical

Adjective

c

k

l

a

æ

ss

s

i

ɪ

c

k

a

ə

l

related to music that is respected, serious, and is typically from the Western tradition

loud

Adjective

l

o

a

u

ʊ

d

producing a sound or noise with high volume

soft

funky

Adjective

f

u

ə

n

k

y

i

(of music) having a rhythmic, energetic quality with a strong, distinctive beat that encourages movement

solo

Adjective

s

o

oʊ

l

o

oʊ

done or created by just one musician, rather than by a group or ensemble

pop

Adjective

p

o

ɑ

p

related to popular culture, with many appealing elements such as music, fashion, art, etc.

avant-garde

Adjective

/əˈvɑnˈɡɑɹd/, /əˈvɑntˈɡɑɹd/

innovative, experimental, or unconventional in style or approach, especially in the arts

treble

Adjective

t

r

e

ɛ

b

ə

l

e

relating to the highest range of musical notes or frequencies

monophonic

Adjective

/ˌmɑnəˈfɑnɪk/

describing sound transmission, recording or reproduction that is transferred through a single channel

a capella

Adverb

/ɐ keɪpˈɛlə/

solely with vocal harmony and melody

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