Use this tag for questions about musical terms. Questions about symbols should use the "notation" tag.
16
votes
1answer
4k views
What are the differences between tone, note and pitch?
I was wondering what differences are between "tone", "note", and "pitch"?
7
votes
3answers
1k views
What tempo is Agitato?
I'm looking at Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# minor and notice that the tempo changes from Lento to Agitato. I'm familiar with the former tempo marking, but not the latter. At what tempo should Agitato ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Are there any classification systems that categorize music by mood?
Recently I had the idea to categorize my digital music library with mood tags.
Thinking about these moods, I figured that it's not so easy to come up with a complete list that covers all possible ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What is a ghost note ?
What is a ghost note and how is it different than holding the previous note ?
5
votes
2answers
222 views
Projecting “Playing ahead/behind/on the beat ” onto tangible concepts
I was trying to tell to my fellow drummer friend, that he should play something behind the beat so that we can experiment some particular song. But then I realized that I have no idea how to translate ...
4
votes
3answers
127 views
Is there a term for the practice of “breaking symmetry” in a composition?
Sorry in advance for my incredibly amateur attempt to explain this. I have absolutely no music experience but I have noticed that one of the key to a catchy song seems to be this practice. More ...
7
votes
1answer
313 views
Is there a specific name for Sheet music that uses numbers (二胡 Èrhú Sheet Music)?
I am searching for a software program (preferably opensource but not necessarily) that can create sheet music. However since I am a beginner at my instrument I still use a simplified notation. I play ...
3
votes
4answers
252 views
What are some interesting ways notes and chords are spelled in cultures outside of the U.S.?
I've heard that German musicians spell the seventh note of the C major scale with an "H" where an American musician would use a "B". And, for the fourth note of the F major scale, where an American ...
