adagio
adagio
/əˈdɑʒiˌoʊ/
noun
a movement or composition intended to be played at a slow tempo
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air
air
/ˈɛɹ/
noun
(Elizabethan or Jacobean music) a short or melodious tune, usually accompanied by a song
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allegro
allegro
/əˈɫɛˌɡɹoʊ/
noun
a movement or composition intended to be played at a brisk lively tempo
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andante
andante
/ɑnˈdɑnteɪ/
noun
a movement or composition intended to be played at a fairly slow tempo
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anthem
anthem
/ˈænθəm/
noun
a religious hymn that is performed in some churches
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aria
aria
/ˈɑɹiə/
noun
a long, elaborate song that is melodious and is intended for a solo voice, especially in an opera
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arrangement
arrangement
/ɝˈeɪndʒmənt/
noun
a musical piece that has been adapted or arranged to be performed by various instruments or voices
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aubade
aubade
/ˈɔːbeɪd/
noun
a musical piece or poem appropriate to or influenced by the dawn or early morning
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ballad
ballad
/ˈbæɫəd/
noun
a tale that is narrated in the form of a song or poem
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bolero
bolero
/boʊˈɫɛɹoʊ/
noun
a couple dance music in ³/₄ time with modest and restrained moves, originated in Spain
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canon
canon
/ˈkænən/
noun
a polyphonic composition in which each singer or instrument takes turn in repeating the theme melody after a given duration
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carol
carol
/ˈkæɹəɫ/, /ˈkɛɹəɫ/
noun
a religious song that people sing at Christmas
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chaconne
chaconne
/tʃˈækɑːn/
noun
a musical composition in moderate triple time, popular in the baroque era
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chant
chant
/ˈtʃænt/
noun
a rhythmic monotonous composition that accompanies an incantation of psalms or canticles in a ritual
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chanty
chanty
/tʃˈænti/
noun
a rhythmic song that sailors used to sing in the past while working together
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chorale
chorale
/kɝˈæɫ/
noun
a musical composition resembling or including a harmonized Lutheran hymn or psalm
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christmas carol
christmas carol
/kɹˈɪsməs kˈæɹəl/
noun
a religious song that is sung at Christmas or during Christmas holiday season
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composition
composition
/ˌkɑmpəˈzɪʃən/
noun
a written piece of music marked by significant size and sophistication
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concerto
concerto
/kənˈtʃɛɹtoʊ/
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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dirge
dirge
/ˈdɝdʒ/
noun
a slow song or hymn sung traditionally at a funeral, showing grief or lamentation
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ditty
ditty
/ˈdɪti/
noun
a short and simple song or poem
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divertimento
divertimento
/dɪˌvɝtəˈmɛnˌtoʊ/
noun
a piece of instrumental music with light character in various movements, usually written for a small orchestra
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drum roll
drum roll
/dɹˈʌm ɹˈoʊl/
noun
a continuous series of rapid beats on a drum, especially while announcing something exciting
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duet
duet
/djuˈɛt/, /duˈɛt/
noun
a piece of music performed by two people
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etude
etude
/ˈɛɾuːd/
noun
an instrumental composition that is usually short and is intended for practice or demonstration of a skill
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fandango
fandango
/fænˈdæŋˌɡoʊ/
noun
a couple dance music in triple time, accompanied by tambourine or castanets, with rapid lively moves, originally from Spain
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fanfare
fanfare
/ˈfænˌfɛɹ/
noun
a short and lively ceremonial sounding of trumpets or other brass instruments, usually to announce something important
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fantasia
fantasia
/fænˈteɪʒə/
noun
a musical composition with an improvised style that does not have a fixed form
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folk song
folk song
/fˈoʊk sˈɔŋ/
noun
a song that is part of the tradition of a region or community, with a simple form and melody, developed by ordinary people
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foxtrot
foxtrot
/ˈfɑkstɹɑt/
noun
a couple dance music in 4/4 time marked with two slow steps followed by two quick ones
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fugue
fugue
/ˈfjuɡ/
noun
a classical piece of music with one or two simple repeated themes that develop into a polyphonic pattern which is more sophisticated
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galliard
galliard
/ɡˈælɪɚd/
noun
a lively dance in triple time for a pair of two with five steps or a piece of music for this dance popular in the 16th century
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gavotte
gavotte
/ɡˈævɑːt/
noun
a piece of music in moderately quick ⁴/₄ time intended for a French dance popular in the 18th century
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golden oldie
golden oldie
/ɡˈoʊldən ˈoʊldi/
noun
a song or movie that was a hit in the past and is still popular
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hit
hit
/ˈhɪt/
noun
something, such as a movie, play, song, etc. that is very popular and successful
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hymn
hymn
/ˈhɪm/
noun
a religious song intended to praise God, especially sung by Christians in congregation
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interlude
interlude
/ˈɪntɝˌɫud/
noun
a short performance that is presented between two longer pieces
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intermezzo
intermezzo
/ˌɪntɚmˈɛzoʊ/
noun
a short instrumental piece that is performed between the acts of an opera or other musical performance
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intro
intro
/ˈɪntɹoʊ/
noun
a short introduction to a literary or musical composition
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jig
jig
/ˈdʒɪɡ/
noun
music that is set to a quick dance in triple rhythm with leaping movements, popular in the past
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largo
largo
/ˈɫɑɹɡoʊ/
noun
a musical piece that is intended to be performed at a very slow tempo and in a serious manner
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lullaby
lullaby
/ˈɫəɫəˌbaɪ/
noun
a soft and soothing song that is intended to make children go to sleep
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madrigal
madrigal
/ˈmædɹəɡəɫ/, /ˈmædɹɪɡəɫ/
noun
a song without instruments consisting of several vocals, singing about secular themes in the 16th century
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march
march
/ˈmɑɹtʃ/
noun
a musical piece in duple or quadruple rhythm that is written to accompany or suggest marching
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mazurka
mazurka
/mˈæzɜːkə/
noun
music that accompanies a Polish dance in moderate triple time for four or eight couples
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medley
medley
/ˈmɛdɫi/
noun
a set of musical pieces that are performed or sung successively in a continuous tune
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minuet
minuet
/mɪnˌjuˈɛt/
noun
a piece of music set to a formal couple dance marked with triple time rhythm, toe pointing and bowing, popular in the 17th and 18th centuries
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movement
movement
/ˈmuvmənt/
noun
one of the main parts that a long musical work is divided into, having its own structure
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Negro spiritual
Negro spiritual
/nˈiːɡɹoʊ spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl/
noun
a religious song that is originally developed by the African-American Christians who were slaves in the southern US
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nocturne
nocturne
/nˈɑːktɜːn/
noun
a romantic or dreamy composition written for the piano, dealing with night or evening
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nonet
nonet
/nˌɑːnˈɛt/
noun
a musical piece written for nine singers or instruments
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