A

A cappella: Singing without instrumental accompaniment.

Accelerando: Gradually speeding up the tempo.

Adagio: A slow tempo, typically indicating a calm or solemn mood.

Allegro: A fast and lively tempo.

Alto: In choral music, the second lowest female voice part.

In instruments, the second lowest range of instruments (e.g., viola).

Andante: A moderate tempo, often described as a walking pace.

Arco: Instruction for string players to use the bow (as opposed to pizzicato).

Arpeggio: Playing the notes of a chord one after another rather than simultaneously.

Articulation: The way notes are connected or separated when played or sung.

Aria: A solo song, often featured prominently in operas and cantatas.

A tempo: Returning to the original tempo after a change.

Attacca: Instruction to start the next section immediately without pause.

Augmentation: Lengthening the duration of notes or rhythms.

Authentic cadence: A strong cadence that resolves firmly to the tonic chord.

Atonality: Music that lacks a clear tonal center or key.

Augmented chord: A chord with a widened interval, typically a major third becoming a fourth.

A capella choir: A choir that sings without instrumental accompaniment.

Aleatoric music: Music that incorporates elements of chance or improvisation.

Alla breve: A time signature where one-half note receives one beat.

Accompaniment: The musical parts that support the main melody or soloist.
B
Ballad: A slow song that tells a story.

Bar: A vertical line on sheet music that separates a section with a specific number of
beats.

Baritone: A male voice type with a range between tenor and bass.

An instrument with a similar range to the baritone voice.

Baroque: A musical period from roughly 1600 to 1750, characterized by ornamentation,

counterpoint, and drama.

Bass: The lowest musical range.

The lowest male voice type.

Bass clef: The clef used to write bass notes on sheet music.

Bass drum: The largest drum in a drum kit, producing the lowest sound.

Bassoon: A double-reed woodwind instrument with a low range.

Baton: The stick used by conductors to lead an orchestra or ensemble.

Beat: The basic unit of musical time, often felt as a pulse.

Blues: A genre of music with roots in African American culture, characterized by specific scales
and lyrics often dealing with hardship and emotion.

Bourrée: A lively Baroque dance in triple meter.

Bridge: A section in a song that typically provides contrast or development before returning to
the main theme.

Brass instruments: Instruments made of brass that produce sound by vibrating the player's lips
into a mouthpiece.

Breve: A note value lasting two whole notes or eight quarter notes.

Bratsche: Another term for the viola.

Brilliance: The brightness or clarity of a sound.

B section: The second main section in a binary form composition.

Bow: A tool used to play string instruments like violins and cellos.
C
Cadence: A sequence of chords that marks the end of a musical phrase or section.

Cadenza: A virtuosic, improvised solo section for a performer near the end of a
piece.

Canon: A compositional technique where one voice imitates another at a staggered interval.

Cantata: A large-scale vocal composition, often with soloists, chorus, and orchestra.

Canzone: An Italian vocal or instrumental piece, often light and lyrical.

Capriccio: A light, playful piece of music with a free and unpredictable form.

Carillon: A set of tuned bells played with a keyboard or hammers.

Celesta: A keyboard instrument with a bell-like sound.

Cello: A large bowed string instrument with a deep, rich tone.

Chaconne: A slow, stately dance in triple meter, often with variations.

Chamber Music: Music composed for a small group of instruments, typically performed in a
smaller setting.

Chamber Orchestra: A small orchestra with fewer players than a full symphony orchestra.

Chanson: A French song, often with a simple melody and poetic lyrics.

Choir: A large group of singers performing together, often divided into different vocal parts.

Chorale: A hymn tune, particularly associated with the Lutheran tradition.

Chord: A combination of three or more notes played simultaneously.

Chorus: A group of singers within a choir.

The recurring section of a song, often containing the main melody.

Chromatic: Refers to notes outside the diatonic scale, including sharps and flats.

Clarinet: A single-reed woodwind instrument with a wide range and expressive capabilities.

Classical Music: A broad term encompassing music composed roughly between the 18th and
early 20th centuries, known for its emphasis on melody, harmony, and structure.

Clavichord: An early keyboard instrument with a delicate, quiet sound.

Clef: A symbol that indicates the pitch of notes on a staff.

Coda: A concluding section of a piece, often featuring a final flourish or summary of the main
themes.

Concerto: A composition featuring a soloist or small group of soloists playing with an orchestra.

Consonance: Two or more notes that sound pleasing together.

Consort: A group of instruments playing together, particularly during the Renaissance and
Baroque periods.

Continuo: A bass line played on keyboard instruments and other instruments, often used to
provide harmonic support in Baroque music.

Contrabassoon: The largest member of the woodwind family, with a very low range.

Cornet: A brass instrument similar to a trumpet, but with a mellower sound.

Counterpoint: The independent melodic lines woven together in a musical composition.

Crescendo: The loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound.

D
Da capo: An instruction to return to the beginning of a piece.

Da-daiko: A Japanese drum used in traditional music.

Darbuka: A goblet drum from the Middle East and North Africa.

Decrescendo: Gradually getting quieter (also diminuendo).

Diatonic: Music based on the major or minor scale.

Diminuendo: Gradually getting quieter (also decrescendo).

Dissonance: Two or more notes that clash and create tension.

Divertimento: A light, short, and often playful piece of music.

Double bass: The largest string instrument in the orchestra, with a deep range.

Dynamics: The variations in loudness throughout a piece.

Dominant: The fifth note of a major or minor scale, often creating a strong sense of resolution.

Doo-wop: A vocal style popular in the 1950s, characterized by close harmonies and nonsense
syllables.
Double stop: Playing two notes simultaneously on a string instrument.

Drum kit: A set of drums and cymbals played by one musician.

Dynamics markings: Symbols that indicate changes in loudness (e.g., crescendo, diminuendo).

Drone: A sustained note or chord that creates a continuous sound.

Duet: A piece of music composed for two performers.

Dynamics range: The difference between the loudest and softest parts of a piece.

Dur: Italian for "major," referring to the major scale.

Downbeat: The first beat of a bar, usually receiving the strongest emphasis.

E
Eighth note: A note that lasts 1/8 the duration of a whole note.

Elegy: A piece of music expressing sorrow or lamentation.

Ensemble: A group of musicians performing together.

Espressivo (Italian): An instruction meaning "expressive" or "with feeling."

Etude (French): A piece designed to improve technical skills on an instrument.

Exposition: The opening section of a composition, introducing the main themes.

Extended technique: Non-traditional playing techniques on instruments.

Eighth rest: A symbol indicating silence for the duration of an eighth note.

Enharmonic equivalent: Notes with the same pitch but different spellings (e.g., C# and Db).

Embouchure: The way a musician positions their mouth on a wind instrument.

Ensemble playing: The art of coordinating and blending sounds within a group.

Equal temperament: The standard modern tuning system dividing the octave into twelve equal
semitones.

Electronic music: Music created using electronic instruments and technology.

Echo: A gradual fading repetition of a sound.

Eighth note triplet: Three eighth notes played in the time of two.

Euphonium: A brass instrument with a mellow sound, similar to a tuba but higher in pitch.
Encora (Italian): A request for an additional piece after a performance.

Eighth note flag: A small tail attached to an eighth note symbol.

Exposition repeat: Repeating the exposition section in a sonata form.

Entrance: The point at which a new instrument or voice joins the music.

F
Falsetto: A vocal technique used by males to sing in a higher register than their
normal range.

Fanfare: A short, celebratory piece often played by trumpets or brass instruments.

Fantasia: An instrumental composition with a free and improvisational form.

Fiddle: Another term for a violin.

Finale: The final movement or section of a piece of music.

Flat: A symbol that lowers the pitch of a note by a half step.

Flute: A woodwind instrument played by blowing air across a hole near the mouthpiece.

Flutist: A person who plays the flute.

Form: The overall structure and organization of a musical piece.

Forte (f): A dynamic marking indicating a loud volume.

Fortepiano: An early version of the piano capable of both loud and soft dynamics.

Fortissimo (ff): A dynamic marking indicating a very loud volume.

French horn: A brass instrument with a mellow and somewhat melancholic sound.

Fugue: A complex contrapuntal composition based on a single melody.

Fusion: A genre of music that blends elements from different styles, often combining jazz and
rock.

Fermata: A symbol indicating that a note should be held for a longer duration than its written
value.

Fingerboard: The part of a string instrument where the fingers are positioned to change notes.

Full orchestra: A large orchestra with all the standard instrument sections (strings, woodwinds,
brass, percussion).
Figured bass: A system of notation used in Baroque music to indicate the harmony.

G
Galop: A lively, fast-paced dance similar to a polka.

Gamelan: An Indonesian ensemble using primarily percussion instruments like

metallophones, xylophones, and gongs.

Glissando: A rapid sliding between two notes, often on instruments like piano or harp.

Glockenspiel: A pitched percussion instrument with metal bars struck by mallets.

Gong: A large, circular metal percussion instrument with a deep, resonant sound.

Grave: A slow and solemn tempo marking.

Gregorian chant: Monophonic, unaccompanied vocal music associated with the Catholic
Church.

Guitar: A fretted string instrument with six strings, commonly used in various genres.

Guitarrón: A large Mexican bass guitar with a deep, resonant sound.

Genre: A category of musical composition, such as rock, jazz, or classical.

Giocoso (Italian): An instruction meaning "playful" or "cheerful."

Grace note: A very short note preceding a main note, often for ornamentation.

Grand staff: The combination of the treble and bass clefs on sheet music, commonly used for
piano and other keyboard instruments.

Guitarron: A large Mexican bass guitar with a deep, resonant sound.

Gypsy music: A genre of music with roots in Eastern Europe, often featuring violins, clarinets,
and lively rhythms.

Glissando on strings: Sliding a finger along a string on instruments like violin or cello.

Guitar solo: A section of a song featuring a prominent guitar part.

Glissando harp: Sliding the fingers across the strings of a harp to produce a cascading sound.

Guitar effects pedals: Electronic devices that modify the sound of an electric guitar.

Guitar tuning: The specific arrangement of notes assigned to the strings of a guitar.
H
Harmony: The combination of simultaneous musical notes that create a pleasing
sound.

Harmonic minor scale: A minor scale with a raised seventh degree.

Harp: A string instrument played by plucking the strings with fingers or nails.

Harpsichord: A keyboard instrument with a bright, plucking sound.

Horn: A brass instrument with a mellow and somewhat melancholic sound (also French horn).

Hymn: A song of praise or worship, often used in religious settings.

Harmonic series: The natural overtones of a fundamental pitch.

Harpsichord continuo: A continuo part played on the harpsichord, providing harmonic support
in Baroque music.

Harmonic progression: The sequence of chords in a piece of music.

Harmonic rhythm: The rate of chord changes in a piece of music.

Humoresque: A light, humorous piece of music.

Harmonic analysis: The study of the chords and their progressions within a piece of music.

Half note: A note that lasts half the duration of a whole note.

Half step: The smallest interval between two notes in Western music.

Head voice: The higher register of the human voice.

I
Imitation: When one musical line mimics another, often at a staggered interval.

Improvisation: Creating music spontaneously without prior planning.

Instrumentation: The specific instruments used in a piece of music.

Interval: The distance between two notes.

Intonation: The accuracy of pitch in singing or playing an instrument.

Interlude: A short section of music between other sections.

Introduction: The opening section of a piece, often setting the mood and key.
Italian terms: Many musical markings and instructions are in Italian, like forte (loud) and piano
(soft).

In tempo: Returning to the original tempo after a change.

Isorhythm: A compositional technique using repeating rhythmic patterns over different melodic
material.

Incipit: The opening notes of a piece of music, often used for identification purposes.

Instrumental music: Music without vocals, performed solely by instruments.

Instrumental piece: A musical composition written for instruments only.

Imitative counterpoint: When one melodic line imitates another in a contrapuntal setting.

Instrumental version: A rendition of a song or piece originally featuring vocals, played solely by
instruments.

J
Jazz: A genre of music characterized by improvisation, syncopation, and swing
rhythms.

Jig: A lively dance in triple meter, often featuring a fast tempo and a jumping
rhythm.

Jingle: A short, catchy tune used for advertising or other promotional purposes.

Jubilant: A musical mood or tempo expressing joy and celebration.

Jam session: An informal gathering of musicians who improvise and play together.

Jew's harp: A small, handheld instrument with a metal tongue that vibrates when plucked.

Jug: A type of clay pot used as a percussion instrument in some cultures.

Jota: A lively Spanish dance in triple meter, often featuring castanets and flamenco guitar.

Janggu: An hourglass-shaped drum used in traditional and contemporary Korean music.

Jubilus: A vocal flourish or melismatic passage used in religious music.

K
Key: The tonal center or main pitch around which a piece of music is based.

Key signature: The symbols at the beginning of a staff indicating the key of the
piece.

Keyboard: The set of keys on a piano, organ, or other keyboard instrument.

Keyboardist: A musician who plays a keyboard instrument.

Key change: Modulating to a different key during a piece of music.

Key relationship: The relationship between different keys based on shared notes or intervals.

Klezmer: A genre of Jewish folk music with lively melodies and improvisational elements.

Koto: A Japanese string instrument with 13 silk strings played with picks.

Kora: A West African harp with 21 strings, often used in traditional music.

Krautrock: A genre of experimental rock music originating in Germany in the late 1960s.

Klezmer clarinet: A specific type of clarinet used in klezmer music.

Klangfarbe (German): The unique timbre or "tone color" of a musical instrument or voice.

Kettledrum: A large, hemispherical drum that can be tuned to specific pitches.

Kalimba: A small, thumb piano with metal tines played by plucking.

Keyboardist solo: A section in a piece where the keyboard instrument takes the lead melody.

L
Larghetto: An Italian tempo marking indicating a slow and broad tempo.

Legato: Playing notes smoothly connected without breaks.

Leitmotif: A short, recurring musical phrase associated with a particular character,

object, or idea in an opera or other work.

Libretto: The text of an opera or other vocal work.

Lied: A German art song for solo voice and piano accompaniment.

Lute: A historical string instrument with a pear-shaped body and fretted neck.

Lyre: An ancient string instrument with a U-shaped frame and strings.

Lullaby: A gentle song sung to soothe a child to sleep.

Lento: An Italian tempo marking indicating a slow tempo.

Lilt: A light, bouncy rhythmic feel.

Lisztian: Relating to the musical style or works of Franz Liszt.

Loure: A slow, stately dance in triple meter.

Luthier: A craftsperson who builds or repairs string instruments like violins and guitars.

Lyrical: Having the qualities of a song or expressing emotions through music.

Loudspeaker: An electroacoustic device that converts electrical signals into sound waves.

M Maestro: A title of respect for a highly accomplished conductor or composer.

Major scale: A diatonic scale with a specific interval pattern.

Mandolin: A string instrument with a pear-shaped body and four double strings.

Maracas: Shakers filled with small beads or seeds, used in Latin American and Caribbean music.

March: A piece of music with a strong, steady rhythm, often used for military purposes.

Melody: The main tune or succession of notes in a piece of music.

Meter: The organization of beats into measures, indicated by time signatures.

Metronome: A device that produces regular clicks to help musicians keep time.

Mezzo-forte (mf): A dynamic marking indicating a moderately loud volume.

Mezzo-soprano: A female voice with a range between alto and soprano.

Microtonal music: Music that uses intervals smaller than a semitone.

Minimalism: A musical style characterized by repetition and gradual change.

Modulation: Changing the key of a piece during its progression.

Motif: A short, recurring musical idea.

Music theory: The study of the elements and principles of music composition.
N
Natural: A symbol that cancels the effect of a sharp or flat.

Neoclassical: Music that incorporates elements of classical music into a

contemporary context.

Nocturne: A piece of music with a night-time or dreamlike character.

Notation: The system of symbols used to represent musical sounds on paper.

Note: A symbol representing a specific pitch and duration.

Nuance: A subtle difference in expression or tone.

Non-vibrato: Singing or playing without using vibrato.

Nonet: A musical ensemble with nine performers.

Non piu: An Italian term meaning "no longer," often used to indicate a change in tempo or
dynamics.

Notation software: Computer programs used to create and edit musical notation.

Neapolitan chord: A specific chord with a characteristic bittersweet sound.

Natural harmonic: A harmonic overtone produced naturally by a vibrating string or column of

air.

Neo-romantic: Music that draws inspiration from the Romantic period while incorporating
modern elements.

Non-functional harmony: Harmony used for expressive purposes rather than following
traditional harmonic progressions.

Non-Western music: Music traditions from cultures outside of Europe and North America.

0
Octave: The interval between two pitches with the same name, where the higher
pitch vibrates twice as fast as the lower one.

Opera: A large-scale, fully-staged dramatic theatrical work involving solo singers,

chorus, and orchestra.

Orchestra: A large instrumental ensemble comprised of strings, woodwinds, brasses, and

percussion.
Organ: A keyboard instrument with pipes that produce sound when air is forced through them.

Oratorio: A large-scale sacred work for solo singers, chorus, and orchestra, typically not staged.

Overtone: A harmonic partial produced naturally by a vibrating string or column of air, higher in
pitch than the fundamental frequency.

Opus number: A number assigned to a composer's work to indicate the order of its
composition.

Open string: A string on a string instrument that is not being stopped by a finger, vibrating at its
full length.

Obligato: A musical part that is essential to the overall texture of a piece, but not as prominent
as the main melody.

Oboe: A double-reed woodwind instrument with a nasal-sounding tone.

Ornamentation: Decorative notes or embellishments added to a melody.

Orchestral music: Music written for a full orchestra.

Opera seria: A serious Italian opera (usually in 3 acts).

Opera buffa: A comic Italian opera (usually in 2 acts).

Ottava: A musical notation indicating that a section should be played an octave higher or lower.

P
Piano: A dynamic marking indicating a soft volume.

Pianissimo (pp): A dynamic marking indicating a very soft volume.

Piano (instrument): A keyboard instrument with strings struck by hammers.

Phrase: A short, self-contained musical unit.

Phrasing: The way a musician shapes and articulates musical phrases.

Pick: A small, hard object used to pluck the strings of instruments like guitars and mandolins.

Pitch: The highness or lowness of a sound.

Polyphony: Music with multiple independent melodic lines.

Polyrhythm: The simultaneous use of two or more different rhythms.

Prelude: An introductory piece or section.

Program music: Music that tells a story or evokes a specific image or feeling.

Piano music: Music written for the piano.

Pentatonic scale: A five-note scale commonly used in folk and traditional music.

Pianoforte: The full name of the piano, meaning "soft-loud."

Pizzicato: A technique where strings are plucked with the fingers instead of using a bow.

Q
Quarter note: A note that lasts one-fourth the duration of a whole note.

Quarter rest: A symbol indicating silence for the duration of a quarter note.

Quartet: A musical ensemble with four performers.

Quaver: Another term for an eighth note (British English).

Quaver rest: Another term for an eighth rest (British English).

Quint: The interval of a perfect fifth, encompassing five whole steps.

Quintet: A musical ensemble with five performers.

Quintuple meter: A meter with five beats per measure.

Quintuplet: A group of five notes played in the time of four.

Quodlibet: A musical composition that combines fragments of well-known melodies.

Quasi (Italian): Meaning "almost" or "like," often used before tempo or dynamic markings.

Quilisma: A rapid melodic ornament consisting of a brief upward and downward movement.

Quena: A South American end-blown flute made of wood or bone.

Quintal harmony: Chords built with stacked fifths.

Quinto: The fifth part in a piece for multiple instruments.

R
Rallentando (rall.): A gradual slowing down of the tempo.

Recitative: A vocal style resembling speech, often used in operas and oratorios.

Refrain: A recurring musical phrase or section in a song.

Register: A specific range of pitch within a singer's voice.

Rest: A symbol indicating silence in musical notation.

Rhythm: The organization of time in music, including the duration and placement of notes and
rests.

Rondo: A musical form with a recurring main theme alternating with contrasting sections.

Rubato: A slight, flexible fluctuation in tempo for expressive purposes.

Romanticism: A musical period in the 19th century characterized by emotional expression and
individualism.

Root position: The fundamental form of a chord, where the root note is in the bass.

Rondo form: A musical form with a recurring theme and contrasting episodes.

Ripieno: The main body of singers or instrumentalists in an ensemble.

Ritardando (rit.): A gradual slowing down of the tempo (similar to rallentando).

Rock: A broad genre of popular music characterized by strong backbeats, electric guitars, and
vocals.

Rhythm section: The instruments responsible for providing the rhythmic foundation in a band
(typically drums, bass, and sometimes guitar).

Ragtime: A late 19th-century piano style characterized by syncopated rhythms.

Rhapsody: A free-flowing, often improvisational piece of music.

Resolution: The movement of a chord to a more stable chord, creating a sense of release.

Ricochet: A bowing technique where the bow bounces lightly on the string, producing a rapid,
repeated sound.

Rhythm and blues (R&B): A genre of popular music with roots in African American music,
characterized by strong vocals, bluesy harmonies, and a focus on rhythm.

S
Scale: A series of notes arranged in ascending or descending order, following specific
intervals.

Scherzo: A lively, playful movement in a larger composition, often in triple meter.

Score: The written representation of a complete musical piece, including all parts for each
instrument or voice.

Septet: A musical ensemble with seven performers.

Serenade: A piece of music traditionally performed outdoors, often in the evening, as a romantic
gesture.

Setar: A long-necked string instrument with a distinctive, buzzing sound, common in Persian
music.

Sextet: A musical ensemble with six performers.

Shakuhachi: A Japanese end-blown flute made of bamboo, known for its meditative sound.

Shamisen: A Japanese three-stringed lute with a distinctive, percussive sound.

Sharp: A symbol indicating a pitch raised by a half step.

Shekere: A West African percussion instrument made of a gourd covered in beads and netting,
played by shaking.

Sinfonia: An older term for a symphony.

Sitar: A long-necked string instrument with a distinctive, resonant sound, common in Indian
music.

Snare Drum: A drum with a metal snare that produces a sharp, cracking sound.

Solo: A musical section featuring a single instrument or voice.

Soprano: The highest female voice type.

Sostenuto: A dynamic marking indicating a sustained tone.

Staff: The five horizontal lines and four spaces on which musical notes are written.

String: A thin, flexible cord that vibrates to produce sound in string instruments.

Suite: A collection of instrumental movements in related keys.

Symphony: A large-scale orchestral composition typically in four movements.

Syncopation: The displacement of the natural accent of a beat, creating a rhythmic surprise.

Saxophone: A single-reed woodwind instrument with a brass body, invented in the 19th century.
Slur: A curved line connecting two notes, indicating they should be played smoothly without a
break.

Staccato: Playing notes with a detached, separated articulation.

Subdominant: The fourth scale degree in a key.

Subito (sub.): A sudden change in tempo or dynamic.

Sforzando (sfz): A dynamic marking indicating a sudden, strong accent.

Sprechgesang: A vocal technique combining singing and speaking.

Sul ponticello: An instruction to play near the bridge of a string instrument, creating a bright,
thin sound.

T
Tabla: A pair of twin hand drums from the Indian subcontinent.

Taiko: A family of Japanese percussion instruments.

Tambourine: A small drum with pieces of metal on the sides.

Tambura: A stringed drone instrument played in India.

Tar: An Iranian long-necked, waisted lute family instrument, shared by many cultures and
countries.

Tempo: The rate of speed of a piece of music.

Tenor: A higher male voice type.

Ternary Form: A musical form with three sections (A-B-A).

Theme: A recurring melody or musical idea.

Theremin: An electronic musical instrument controlled by the proximity of the performer's hands
to its antennas.

Timbre: The quality of sound that distinguishes one instrument or voice from another.

Time: The division of a musical piece into measures and beats.

Timpani: A set of kettledrums tuned to specific pitches.

Tone Poem: A piece of orchestral music that tells a story or evokes a specific image or feeling.
Transcription: The process of writing down music that was originally played by ear or
improvised.

U
Ukulele: Small, four-stringed instrument.

Unison: Playing the same melody in unison.

Upbeat: Weak beat before the downbeat.

Upbow: Drawing the bow upwards on strings.

Urtext: Original, unedited musical score.

Un poco: Italian for "a little."

Una corda: Playing on one string of a piano.

Ukranian: Referring to music from Ukraine.

Understudy: Someone who learns a role to replace the main performer.

Unmeasured: Music without a regular meter.

V
Variation: A musical piece based on an existing theme with modifications.

Venu: A South Indian transverse flute made of bamboo.

Vibraphone: A percussion instrument with metal bars that vibrate when struck.

Vibrato: A slight fluctuation in pitch used to add expression.

Viol: An ancient string instrument, precursor to the violin family.

Viola: The alto instrument in the violin family, slightly larger than a violin.

Violin: The highest-pitched string instrument in the violin family.

Violoncello (Cello): The tenor instrument in the violin family, larger than a viola.

Virtuoso: A highly skilled performer with exceptional technical ability.

Vivace: An Italian tempo marking indicating a lively and fast tempo.

Vocal cords: The two folds of tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Vocal music: Music written or arranged for singing voices.

Vocal range: The range of notes a singer can comfortably sing.

Vocalise: A piece for solo voice without specific words.

Vamp: A short, repeated musical phrase used for improvisation or accompaniment.

Verse: A section of a song typically followed by a chorus.

Verismo: A style of Italian opera focusing on realism and everyday life.

Voicing: The distribution of notes in a chord, determining its overall sound.

Volta: A repeat sign in music notation, indicating a section to be played multiple times.

Vocoder: An electronic device that modifies the sound of a voice.

W
Waltz: A ballroom dance in 3/4 time characterized by its elegant, swaying rhythm.

Whole note: The longest note in standard music notation, lasting four quarter
notes.

Woodwind: A family of instruments that produce sound by blowing air through a reed.

Whole step: An interval encompassing two half steps, such as C to D or E to F.

Whole tone scale: A six-note scale with equally spaced intervals, often used in modern music.

Wah-wah: A guitar effect pedal that creates a distinctive "wah" sound by manipulating the
frequency spectrum.

Washboard: A percussion instrument made from a metal washboard, often played with spoons
or thimbles.

Well-tempered: A tuning system that attempts to make all keys sound equally in tune.

Western music: A broad term encompassing music traditions originating in Europe and North
America.

Whole rest: A symbol in music notation indicating silence for the duration of a whole note.

X
Xylophone: A percussion instrument with tuned wooden bars.

Xalam: A West African string instrument with 1-5 strings.

Xiao: A Chinese vertical end-blown flute made of bamboo.

Xitende: A one-stringed musical bow with a gourd resonator from Mozambique.

Xun: An egg-shaped ocarina made of clay from China.

Y
Yataga: A 13-stringed Mongolian and Buryat plucked zither with a unique shape
resembling an elongated harp laid on its side.

Yoik: A traditional Sami form of unaccompanied solo singing often used for
storytelling and expressing emotions.

Yueqin: A Chinese moon-shaped lute with a distinctive round body and long neck, also known
as the moon lute or moon guitar.

Yuka: Long vertical cylindrical drums of Congolese origin, often used in Cuban music and rituals.

Yun-lo: A set of ten small tuned gongs of different pitches suspended in a wooden frame, also
known as cloud gongs in Chinese music.

Z
Zither: A family of string instruments with strings stretched across a flat
soundboard, typically plucked or strummed. Examples include the dulcimer and
psaltery.

Zampogna: A type of bagpipe originating from Italy, often featuring two drones and two conical
chanters.

Zapateado: A lively Spanish dance characterized by percussive footwork and intricate rhythms.

Zheng (Guzheng): A Chinese zither with numerous strings played with fingerpicks, known for its
delicate and expressive sound.

Zills: Small, metallic finger cymbals commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African music.