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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In film, television, or theater, a score refers to the original music composed specifically for the production. It accompanies the visual elements and helps to enhance the mood, convey emotions, and support the narrative. The score is integral to setting the tone and atmosphere of the work, and it can significantly influence the audience's emotional response to the scenes.

What is a "score"?

score

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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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melodic

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harmonic

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A symphony is a large, complex musical composition typically written for an orchestra. It usually consists of multiple movements, or sections, each with its own distinct character and tempo. A standard symphony often includes four movements: an opening fast movement, a slow second movement, a lively third movement, and a final fast movement. Symphonies are known for their grand scale and intricate orchestration, showcasing the full range of the orchestra's instruments. Composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms have made significant contributions to the collection of symphonies, creating works that are both technically demanding and emotionally powerful.

What is a "symphony"?

symphony

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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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A string quartet is a musical composition written specifically for a group of four string instruments: two violins, one viola, and one cello. Typically structured in four movements, the piece often follows a pattern of contrasting tempos and moods, including a fast opening movement, a slow second movement, a lively third movement, and a vigorous final movement. String quartets are known for their rich and intricate interplay between the instruments, allowing for both harmonic depth and dynamic conversation among the performers.

What is a "string quartet"?

string quartet

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A soloist is a singer or musician who performs alone or with accompaniment but takes the leading role. Soloists showcase their technical skill and expressive capabilities, often performing complex and demanding pieces. They can be found in various musical settings, including orchestras, concert bands, and solo recitals. Soloists must have a high level of proficiency on their instrument or voice and the ability to interpret and convey the emotions and intentions of the music to the audience.

Who is a "soloist"?

soloist

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lyricist

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saxophonist

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A virtuoso is a highly skilled musician known for their exceptional technical ability and artistry. Virtuosos often excel in their instrument or vocal performance, showcasing remarkable precision, speed, and creativity. Their expertise and command over their craft allow them to perform complex and challenging pieces with impressive ease and expressiveness. Virtuosos are frequently recognized for their outstanding contributions to music and their ability to captivate audiences with their extraordinary performances.

Who is a "virtuoso"?

virtuoso

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A prima donna is the leading female singer in an opera or opera company. She is typically the star of the performance, taking on the most prominent and demanding roles in the production. The prima donna is known for her exceptional vocal talent and significant stage presence. Her role involves not only delivering powerful performances but also often influencing the overall direction of the opera and the dynamics within the company.

Who is a "prima donna"?

prima donna

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Accompaniment is the background music that supports and enhances a main melody or vocal line in a piece of music. It is usually played by one or more instruments and provides harmonic and rhythmic support, helping to create a fuller, richer sound. The accompaniment complements the main melody by adding depth and texture, allowing the primary musical elements to stand out while contributing to the overall harmony and structure of the piece.

What is an "accompaniment"?

accompaniment

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An aria is a solo vocal piece in an opera, oratorio, or other large vocal work. It is designed to showcase the singer's voice and emotional expression, usually with a more elaborate and expressive melody than other parts of the work. In an aria, the singer often reflects on personal feelings or a specific situation, providing a moment of musical and emotional intensity within the larger context of the performance.

What is an "aria"?

aria

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A string instrument is a type of musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating strings. The strings can be made of materials such as steel, nylon, or gut and are typically stretched across a resonating body. Sound is created either by plucking, strumming, or bowing the strings, or by striking them in some cases. Examples of string instruments include the violin, guitar, and cello. These instruments are known for their wide range of tones and expressive capabilities.

What is a "string instrument"?

string instrument

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A woodwind instrument is a type of musical instrument that produces sound when the player blows air through it. Despite the name, woodwind instruments can be made from various materials, including metal. Examples include the flute, clarinet, oboe, and saxophone. The sound is created either by blowing air across an opening, through a reed, or by vibrating a reed within the instrument. Woodwind instruments are known for their wide range of pitches and expressive capabilities and are commonly used in orchestras and various music ensembles.

What is a "woodwind instrument"?

woodwind instrument

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An oboe is a wooden, double-reed wind instrument with a slender, cylindrical shape and a flared bell. It produces sound by blowing air through a pair of reeds that vibrate together. The oboe has a series of keys and holes along its body that the player covers to change the pitch. Known for its distinct, penetrating sound and expressive tone, the oboe is a key instrument in orchestras and chamber music, providing both melodic lines and rich harmonic support. Its unique sound and versatility make it a prominent choice in classical and contemporary music.

What is an "oboe"?

oboe

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An ocarina is a small, portable wind instrument made from ceramic, clay, or plastic. It has a rounded, egg-like shape with several finger holes on its surface. The player produces sound by blowing air into a mouthpiece and covering or uncovering the holes to change the pitch. The ocarina is known for its sweet, ethereal tone and is used in various musical genres and cultural traditions. Its simple design and unique sound make it popular for both solo performances and as a decorative instrument.

What is an "ocarina"?

ocarina

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A ukulele is a small, four-stringed instrument from Hawaii that is similar in shape to a small guitar. It typically has a wooden body and a short neck, and it is played by strumming or plucking the strings with the fingers or a pick. The ukulele is known for its bright, cheerful sound and is commonly used in various music styles, including folk, pop, and Hawaiian music. Its compact size and easy playability make it a popular choice for beginners and experienced musicians alike.

What is a "ukulele"?

ukulele

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A bagpipe is a wind instrument consisting of a set of pipes that are played by blowing air into a bag made of animal skin or synthetic material. The player fills the bag with air and uses a set of pipes, including a melody pipe and one or more additional pipes that produce a constant background sound, to create music. The air is pushed through these pipes to produce a distinctive, continuous tone. Bagpipes are used in various musical traditions, including Scottish, Irish, and Balkan music, and are known for their powerful and unique sound.

What is a "bagpipe"?

bagpipe

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A theremin is an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact. It consists of two metal antennas: one for pitch and one for volume. The pitch antenna controls the frequency of the sound produced, while the volume antenna controls its loudness. The musician moves their hands near these antennas, altering the electromagnetic fields, which changes the pitch and volume of the sound. The theremin is known for its eerie, ethereal sound and was popularized in early science fiction films. It is valued for its unique, expressive capabilities and its distinctive, otherworldly tones.

What is a "theremin"?

theremin

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A harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by plucking strings with small plectrums when the keys are pressed. It typically has a wooden case and strings stretched across a frame. Unlike the piano, which uses hammers to strike the strings, the harpsichord's plucking action gives it a distinctive, bright, and somewhat metallic sound. It was widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and is known for its role in early classical music. The harpsichord’s clear, articulate tones make it ideal for playing intricate, ornamental music.

What is a "harpsichord"?

harpsichord

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An accordion is a portable musical instrument with a bellows and a series of keys or buttons on both sides. When the player expands and contracts the bellows, air flows over metal reeds inside the instrument, producing sound. The keys or buttons control which reeds are sounded, allowing the player to produce different notes. Accordions come in various types, such as piano accordions, which have piano-style keys, and button accordions, which use buttons instead. The instrument is used in many musical genres, including folk, polka, and classical music, and is known for its distinctive, rich sound and versatility.

What is an "accordion"?

accordion

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A bassoon is a large, wooden wind instrument with a distinctive, reedy sound. It has a long, folded body with a curved shape and uses a double reed to produce sound. The bassoon is played by blowing air through the reed while pressing keys to cover holes along its length, which changes the pitch. Known for its deep, rich tone and wide range, the bassoon is a key part of orchestras and wind ensembles, often providing both melodic lines and harmonic support. Its unique sound and technical demands make it a prominent instrument in classical and contemporary music.

What is a "bassoon"?

bassoon

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player piano

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dissonant

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soundscape

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Swing music is a jazz style that became popular in the 1930s and 1940s, known for its strong, rhythmic groove and lively tempo. It features a smooth, flowing rhythm where the emphasis is on the off-beat, creating a sense of swinging or bouncing. Swing music typically includes a big band setup with sections for brass, woodwinds, and rhythm instruments. It is characterized by its upbeat melodies, intricate arrangements, and engaging rhythms, making it highly danceable and a central part of the jazz era.

What is "swing music"?

swing music

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An amplifier is an electronic device that increases the strength of an audio or electrical signal. It takes a weak input signal and boosts it to a higher level, which can then be sent to speakers, headphones, or other equipment. In audio systems, amplifiers enhance the sound signal to ensure it is loud enough and clear enough for listening. They come in various types, including those for home audio systems, musical instruments, and professional sound setups, each designed to meet specific needs and performance requirements.

What is an "amplifier"?

amplifier

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scat

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percussive

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Recitative is a style of vocal music used in operas, oratorios, and other dramatic works. It involves singing in a way that is more like speech than melody, with a focus on delivering the text clearly and advancing the story. Recitative often accompanies a minimal accompaniment which helps to highlight the words and the dramatic content. It serves as a bridge between the more lyrical, melodic songs and the action or dialogue in the performance.

What is "recitative"?

recitative

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Learn ACT humanities vocabulary for music, including instruments, composition, performance, rhythm, melody, musical styles, and the interpretation of musical works.

ACT Music Vocabulary

Music

ACT Humanities Vocabulary for Music