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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.

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ACT Vocabulary for Humanities
composition

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

Ex: He studied composition to improve his songwriting skills .
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score
score
[noun]

the music composed for a movie

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scale
scale
[noun]

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

Ex: Learning to play scales is an essential foundation for any musician , as it enhances their understanding of harmony and melody .
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melodic
melodic
[Adjective]

having a pleasing, musical sound

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harmonic
harmonic
[Adjective]

having blended sounds or tones that combine in a pleasing way

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symphony
symphony
[noun]

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

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concerto
concerto
[noun]

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

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string quartet

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

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soloist
soloist
[noun]

a singer or musician who performs alone

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lyricist
lyricist
[noun]

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

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saxophonist

someone who plays the saxophone

Ex: The saxophonist's performance captivated the audience with its soulful melodies .
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virtuoso
virtuoso
[noun]

someone who is highly skilled at playing a musical instrument

Ex: The virtuoso's encore performance brought the crowd to their feet , applauding the masterful display of musical prowess .
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prima donna

the main female singer in an opera or opera company

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accompaniment

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

Ex: The choir director emphasized the importance of blending voices in the choral accompaniment to create a unified and harmonious sound .
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aria
aria
[noun]

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

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string instrument

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

Ex: Traditional bluegrass music often includes the banjo , a lively and resonant string instrument.
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woodwind instrument

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

Ex: The saxophone , despite being classified as a woodwind instrument, features a brass body and a reed mouthpiece .
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oboe
oboe
[noun]

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

Ex: The oboe is a popular instrument in classical music .
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ocarina
ocarina
[noun]

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

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ukulele
ukulele
[noun]

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

Ex: The ukulele's compact size makes it the perfect travel companion , allowing musicians to bring the spirit of aloha wherever they go .
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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 band included a bagpipe player to add a traditional touch to their performance .
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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

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harpsichord

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

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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: She enjoys the portability of the accordion, taking it with her to play at festivals and events .
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bassoon
bassoon
[noun]

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

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player piano

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

Ex: The player piano revolutionized home entertainment in the early 1900s , offering musical enjoyment without the need for a live pianist .
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dissonant
dissonant
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The dissonant tones of the alarm system startled everyone in the building .
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soundscape

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

Ex: The forest 's soundscape was filled with the rustling of leaves , chirping of birds , and the distant sound of a flowing stream .
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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 swing music played by the band at the wedding reception kept everyone on their feet and dancing all night long .
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amplifier
amplifier
[noun]

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

Ex: The sound engineer adjusted the amplifier levels to achieve optimal sound quality for the live performance .
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scat
scat
[noun]

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

Ex: The scat section of the song brought a lively and energetic vibe to the nightclub performance.
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percussive
percussive
[Adjective]

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

Ex: The percussion section of the orchestra produces percussive sounds using various instruments like drums and cymbals .
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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 served as a bridge between musical sections , providing context for the character 's inner thoughts and feelings .
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