amplifier
amplifier
/ˈæmpɫəˌfaɪɝ/
nounan electronic device that strengthens electrical signals or causes sounds to get louder
Examples
to amplify
to amplify
/ˈæmpɫəˌfaɪ/
verbto make a sound, especially a musical sound, louder
Examples
arrangement
arrangement
/ɝˈeɪndʒmənt/
nounthe act of adapting or arranging a musical piece to be performed by different instruments or voices
Examples
audition
audition
/ɑˈdɪʃən/
nouna meeting with filmmakers during which they ask the actor or actress to perform a short scene to see if they are suitable for a role
Examples
to audition
to audition
/ɑˈdɪʃən/
verbto give a short performance in order to get a role in a movie, play, show, etc.
Examples
back catalog
back catalog
/bˈæk kˈæɾɐlˌɑːɡ/
nouna collection of previous records produced by a musician or a company
Examples
backing
backing
/ˈbækɪŋ/
nounmusic that is intended to accompany the main singer or tune
Examples
baton
baton
/ˈbæˌtɑn/, /ˈbætən/, /bəˈtɑn/
nouna slender stick used by a conductor while leading an orchestra
Examples
beatbox
beatbox
/bˈiːtbɑːks/
nounan electronic piece of equipment that imitates drum sounds adding a backbeat to songs
Examples
to busk
to busk
/ˈbəsk/
verbto play music in public and ask the passers-by for money
Examples
busking
busking
/bˈʌskɪŋ/
nounthe act of playing music in public and asking the passers-by for money
Examples
carol singing
carol singing
/kˈæɹəl sˈɪŋɪŋ/
nounthe act of singing Christmas carols in churches or streets, usually to collect money for charity
Examples
to chant
to chant
/ˈtʃænt/
verbto sing a piece such as a psalm, canticle, etc. in a limited range of notes and with a repetitive tone
Examples
to compose
to compose
/kəmˈpoʊz/
verbto write a musical piece
Examples
composition
composition
/ˌkɑmpəˈzɪʃən/
nounthe art or the act of writing pieces of music, poetry, etc.
Examples
to conduct
to conduct
/ˈkɑndəkt/, /kɑnˈdəkt/
verbto direct a choir or orchestra using special movements of the hands
Examples
to cut
to cut
/ˈkət/
verbto record or sing a song, track, etc. in order to make a studio recording
Examples
demo
demo
/ˈdɛmoʊ/
nouna short recording that serves as a sample of the work of a musical band or performer
Examples
encore
encore
/ˈɑnˌkɔɹ/
nounan additional or repeated piece that is performed at the end of a concert, because the audience has asked for it
Examples
gig
gig
/ˈɡɪɡ/
nouna live performance by one or more musicians who play jazz or popular music, or by a comedian
Examples
to headline
to headline
/ˈhɛdˌɫaɪn/
verbto be the star performer in a concert or performance
Examples
to hum
to hum
/ˈhəm/
verbto sing a tune with closed lips
Examples
to improvise
to improvise
/ˈɪmpɹəˌvaɪz/, /ˌɪmpɹəˈvaɪz/
verbto create and perform words of a play, music, etc. on impulse and without preparation, particularly because one is forced to do so
Examples
instrumentation
instrumentation
/ˌɪnstɹəˌmɛnˈteɪʃən/
nounthe arrangement or composition of a musical piece for a particular set of instruments
Examples
interpretation
interpretation
/ˌɪnˌtɝpɹɪˈteɪʃən/
nouna representation that an actor or a performer gives of an artistic or musical piece that shows their understanding and feeling toward it
Examples
to jam
to jam
/ˈdʒæm/
verbto play music along other musicians without practicing and as an act of improvisation
Examples
karaoke
karaoke
/ˌkɛɹiˈoʊki/
nouna form of entertainment in which people sing the words of popular songs while a machine plays only their music
Examples
to master
to master
/ˈmæstɝ/
verbto make the final version of a musical rendition or movie from which copies can be made
Examples
microphone
microphone
/ˈmaɪkɹəˌfoʊn/
nouna piece of equipment used for recording voices or sounds or for making one's voice louder
Examples
to mix
to mix
/ˈmɪks/
verbto combine several musical pieces from various sources into a single piece
Examples