Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL - Music

Here you will learn some English words about music, such as "verse", "tune", "vinyl", etc. that are needed for the TOEFL exam.

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acoustic [adjective]

(of a musical instrument) making a sound that is natural, not amplified

Ex: He enjoyed the acoustic performance in the intimate setting of the coffee shop .

instrumental [adjective]

(of music) made only by instruments and without vocals

Ex: The instrumental version of the song allowed listeners to appreciate the intricate arrangements .

vinyl [noun]

a record made of synthetic resin or plastic, used in the past before CDs became popular

tune [noun]

a sequence of musical notes arranged in a specific order to create a recognizable piece of music

Ex: The catchy tune of the song stayed in my head all day .

soundtrack [noun]

the recorded sounds, speeches, or music of a movie, play, or musical

Ex: The soundtrack includes several original songs written specifically for the movie .

orchestra [noun]

a group of musicians playing various instruments gathered and organized to perform a classic piece

Ex: The conductor guided the orchestra through a complex piece , ensuring every section played in harmony .

verse [noun]

a series of lines forming a unit in a song or poem

chorus [noun]

a section of a song or poem that follows each verse

Ex: The audience joined in singing the chorus during the concert , creating a sense of unity and participation .

amplifier [noun]

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

Ex: The lecture hall was equipped with a powerful amplifier to ensure everyone could hear the speaker clearly .

beat [noun]

a piece of music's or a poem's main rhythm

Ex: The metronome helps musicians practice their timing by providing a steady beat to follow .

choir [noun]

a group of singers who perform together, particularly in religious ceremonies or in public

Ex: The choir performed a moving rendition of Handel 's " Messiah " at the concert hall .

to compose [verb]

to write a musical piece

Ex: The film director commissioned a talented composer to compose the soundtrack for the upcoming movie .

to conduct [verb]

to direct a choir or orchestra using special movements of the hands

Ex: He learned how to conduct by practicing the specific movements needed to lead a large ensemble .

conductor [noun]

someone who guides and directs an orchestra

Ex: She 's the first female conductor of the renowned philharmonic orchestra .

duo [noun]

a musical work for two singers or players

Ex: The pop duo released their debut album , featuring catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics .

note [noun]

a written sign or symbol indicating a single tone of particular pitch and length made by a vocal or musical instrument

Ex: The notes on the sheet music indicated a fast tempo .

flat [adjective]

(of a musical note) being a semitone lower than the note mentioned

sharp [adjective]

(of a musical note) a half step higher than a particular note

harmony [noun]

notes of music played or sung in a combination that produces a pleasing effect

Ex: She practiced the piano piece with her sister , focusing on achieving perfect harmony between their parts .

major [adjective]

based on a scale in which the interval between the third and the fourth notes and the seventh and the eighth notes is a half step

Ex:

minor [adjective]

based on a scale in which the interval between the second and the third notes, the fifth and the sixth notes and the seventh and eighth notes is a half step

Ex:

pitch [noun]

the degree of highness or lowness of a tone that is determined by the frequency of waves producing it

Ex:

rhythm [noun]

a strong repeated pattern of musical notes or sounds

Ex: The rhythm of the song made everyone want to dance .

tempo [noun]

the speed that a piece of music is or should be played at

Ex: The tempo of the music gradually slowed down toward the end .

meter [noun]

the arrangement of unstressed and stressed syllables in a verse that produces the rhythm

string [noun]

a cord of stretched wire, nylon, etc. on a musical instrument that is plucked to produce sound

Ex:

recital [noun]

a public performance of music or poetry by an individual or a small group

Ex: The students held a recital to showcase what they had learned in music class .

to pluck [verb]

to play a string instrument, such as a guitar, using the fingers or a plectrum

Ex: With nimble fingers , she plucked the strings of the harp , filling the room with beautiful music .

scale [noun]

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

Ex: In this composition , the melody moves up and down the scale , creating a sense of tension and release .

solo [noun]

a musical piece written for one singer or instrument

Ex: He practiced his guitar solo for hours to perfect every note .

single [noun]

a CD or a musical record that has only one main song, often released separately from an album to promote it

Ex:

composer [noun]

a person who writes music as their profession

Ex: Many composers study music theory extensively to enhance their craft .

Essential Vocabulary for TOEFL
Family and Relationships	Stages of Life	Personal Characteristics	Feelings and Emotions
Appearance	Clothing and Fashion	Colors and Shapes	Education
Employment	Language and Grammar	The Human Body	Communication
Travel and Tourism	Transportation	Means of Transportation	The Computer World
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Mental Disorders	Physical Disabilities and Illnesses	Geography	Space
The Environment and Weather	The Animal Kingdom	The Art World	Cinema and Theater
Music	Literature	Broadcasting and Journalism	Food and Restaurant
Diet	Agriculture and Plants	Point of View	Cause and Effect
Certainty and Doubt	Suggestions and Rules	Pride and Prejudice	Houses and Buildings
Hobbies and Games	Shopping	The Economy	The Business World
Success and Failure	Politics	Law and Order	Crime and Punishment
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Engineering and Research	Athletics	Time and History