pattern

ACT Humanities - Music

Here you will learn some English words related to music, such as "concerto", "melodic", "soundscape", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

Review

Flashcards

Spelling

Quiz

Start learning
ACT Vocabulary for Humanities
composition

the act or process of creating written works, such as essays, poems, or music

Ex: She devoted the afternoon to the composition of her novel. 
Close
Sign in
score
score
[noun]

the music composed for a movie

Ex: The composer received critical acclaim for his hauntingly beautiful score for the epic film. 
Close
Sign in
scale
scale
[noun]

an arrangement of a series of musical notes with specified intervals, in ascending or descending pitch order

Ex: The C major scale consists of seven notes, starting with C and following a specific pattern of intervals. 
Close
Sign in
melodic
melodic
[Adjective]

having a pleasing, musical sound

Ex: The singer's melodic voice captivated the entire audience. 
Close
Sign in
harmonic
harmonic
[Adjective]

having blended sounds or tones that combine in a pleasing way

Ex: The choir produced a harmonic blend that filled the concert hall with rich, beautiful sounds. 
Close
Sign in
symphony
symphony
[noun]

a long and sophisticated musical composition written for a large orchestra, in three or four movements

Ex: The orchestra's rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was truly captivating. 
Close
Sign in
concerto
concerto
[noun]

a musical composition that is written for one or more solo instruments and accompanied by an orchestra with three movements

Ex: The orchestra performed a beautiful concerto by Mozart, featuring a talented soloist on the piano. 
Close
Sign in
string quartet

a musical composition that is specifically written for two violins, a viola, and a cello, and typically consists of four movements

Close
Sign in
soloist
soloist
[noun]

a singer or musician who performs alone

Close
Sign in
lyricist
lyricist
[noun]

someone whose profession is to write the words of a song, or lyrics

Close
Sign in
saxophonist

someone who plays the saxophone

Ex: The saxophonist delivered an impressive solo during the jazz concert. 
Close
Sign in
virtuoso
virtuoso
[noun]

someone who is highly skilled at playing a musical instrument

Ex: The young pianist was hailed as a virtuoso, astonishing audiences with his technical brilliance and emotional depth. 
Close
Sign in
prima donna

the main female singer in an opera or opera company

Close
Sign in
accompaniment

the musical support provided by one or more instruments or voices to enhance or complement a soloist or main melody

Ex: The guitarist provided a rhythmic accompaniment to the singer's soulful rendition of the ballad. 
Close
Sign in
aria
aria
[noun]

a long, elaborate song that is melodious and is intended for a solo voice, especially in an opera

Close
Sign in
string instrument

any musical instruments that can produce sound when its strings are touched or struck

Ex: The violin is a popular string instrument used in both classical and contemporary music. 
Close
Sign in
woodwind instrument

a musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating air within a tube or pipe, typically made of wood or metal

Ex: The flute, with its delicate and airy tones, is a classic example of a woodwind instrument. 
Close
Sign in
oboe
oboe
[noun]

a woodwind double-reed instrument with a long tubular body and holes and keys on top

Ex: She plays the oboe in the orchestra. 
Close
Sign in
ocarina
ocarina
[noun]

an ancient wind instrument shaped like an egg with holes in its body that are covered with the fingers

Close
Sign in
ukulele
ukulele
[noun]

a small, four-stringed musical instrument resembling a guitar, originating from Hawaii

Ex: At the luau, the musicians serenaded us with the gentle melodies of the ukulele, transporting us to the shores of Waikiki. 
Close
Sign in
bagpipe
bagpipe
[noun]

a wind instrument with a reed and several sticks, played by squeezing a bag and blowing through one of its pipes, originated from Scotland

Ex: The bagpipe is a traditional Scottish musical instrument with a distinctive sound. 
Close
Sign in
theremin
theremin
[noun]

an electronic musical instrument played without physical contact, controlled by hand movements near two antennas that manipulate electromagnetic fields to produce sound

Close
Sign in
harpsichord

an early keyboard instrument resembling a piano in which the strings are plucked rather than being hit with a hammer

Close
Sign in
accordion
accordion
[noun]

a box-like musical instrument that is held in both hands and is played by squeezing and stretching it while pressing its keys

Ex: He played a lively polka tune on the accordion at the street fair. 
Close
Sign in
bassoon
bassoon
[noun]

a woodwind instrument of the oboe family consisting of a long wooden tube and a double reed

Close
Sign in
player piano

a type of piano equipped with a mechanism that allows it to play music automatically

Ex: The player piano in the corner of the room entertained guests with its lively tunes. 
Close
Sign in
dissonant
dissonant
[Adjective]

(of a sound) having tones that clash or sound unpleasant together

Ex: The dissonant chords in the composition created a sense of tension and unease. 
Close
Sign in
soundscape

an auditory experience created by the combination of musical and non-musical sounds within a particular area or context

Ex: The composer created a soundscape for the film that blended orchestral music with natural sounds. 
Close
Sign in
swing music

a subgenre of jazz marked by its infectious, propulsive rhythm, prominent use of brass and woodwind instruments, and its association with the swing era of the 1930s and 1940s

Ex: The dance floor was packed with people eager to move to the infectious rhythms of swing music. 
Close
Sign in
amplifier
amplifier
[noun]

an electronic device that strengthens electrical signals or causes sounds to get louder

Ex: The guitarist plugged his electric guitar into the amplifier to increase its volume. 
Close
Sign in
scat
scat
[noun]

vocal improvisation where the singer uses nonsense syllables, rhythms, and melodic variations to create spontaneous and rhythmic expressions

Ex: Ella Fitzgerald was known for her mastery of scat, effortlessly weaving intricate melodies and rhythms. 
Close
Sign in
percussive
percussive
[Adjective]

producing a sharp, powerful sound, typically by hitting or striking something

Ex: The percussive beats of the drum added rhythm to the music. 
Close
Sign in
recitative

a style of vocal singing in opera and oratorio characterized by a speech-like delivery, used to advance the plot or convey dialogue

Ex: The recitative's conversational style allowed the singer to convey the character's emotions with authenticity. 
Close
Sign in
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app