Use this tag for questions about musical terms. Questions about symbols should use the "notation" tag.
17
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the difference between a “band” and an “orchestra”
Growing up, my father listened to big band music. These bands are usually referred to as "Glenn Miller and his orchestra" Or "Paul Schaeffer and the CBS Orchestra". Is it that an orchestra has ...
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"?
12
votes
4answers
931 views
Is there any difference between a soprano trombone and a slide trumpet?
Occasionally, I will see people arguing about whether an instrument should be called a "soprano trombone" or a "slide trumpet" yet I have never seen any instrument designated as one as being any ...
10
votes
2answers
764 views
What is the device used to draw 5-line staff (empty) with a pencil/pen?
I remember seeing something like that long ago but can't remember what it was called. It is basically a metal gadget that holds 5 pencils or only pencil led and you can draw by hand your own empty ...
10
votes
3answers
454 views
Able to recall music in its correct key, but don't have perfect pitch — what is it called?
I don't have perfect pitch, but there are certain things I can do that I've been wondering if there's a name for.
Given the name of a piece I've heard reasonably recently, I can sing it in my head in ...
9
votes
4answers
489 views
Identify this chord: F# (bass) + C + E + A
Would someone be able to identify this chord for me?
A
E
C
F# - bass
I'm sure it's obvious but I can't seem to figure it out.
It's a song in the key of C major. A C major chord precedes it and ...
9
votes
2answers
207 views
What do they mean by 'This amp has a lot of headroom'?
Do they mean how loud it will go without getting distortion?
9
votes
2answers
785 views
Is there any real difference between Counterpoint and Polyphony?
From what I understand, they both kind of refer to the same thing. Why the need for 2 terms?
8
votes
4answers
175 views
Polymeter vs Polyrhythm
What is the difference between a polymeter and a polyrhythm? Do these words mean anything different for different instruments?
PS: I'm a drummer.
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 ...
7
votes
6answers
223 views
English translation for “rubato”
Most italian musical indications and concepts are easy to translate in one or two words (largo, presto, crescendo, ...) but it is difficult to find even an approximation to rubato.
Any suggestions?
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
1answer
295 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
82 views
Common names for sections of a piece of music
Generally, what is is the name for the non-vocal parts of a song that are not interludes or preludes and not a guitar solo or instrumental verse/chorus? For example, right after the acapella vocal ...
6
votes
1answer
132 views
Should barré chords have an acute accent on the E?
I was always taught that it should, but the Wikipedia article doesn't use the accent at all. I'm British — is it an American thing to ignore the accent? I am preparing some content for an ...
6
votes
4answers
112 views
What are the various ways of vocalizing rhythmic figures?
I know of the standard western technique where the beats (quarter notes) are numbered and eighths are vocalized as 'and' and sixteenths are vocalized as 'ee' and 'uh' (One-ee-and-uh Two-ee-and-uh).
...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What is a ghost note ?
What is a ghost note and how is it different than holding the previous note ?
6
votes
2answers
445 views
Is Beethoven's title “Sonata quasi una Fantasia” an oxymoron, and does the title instruct how to perform it?
Beethoven's so-called "Moonlight" Sonata is fully titled "Sonata quasi una Fantasia".
Google translates this literally to "Sonata almost a Fantasy", but I'll assume it means more like "Sonata in the ...
6
votes
2answers
424 views
Lead sheets / fake sheets without score
Several of the groups of people I play music with use song sheets that are similar to lead sheets, but without the stave showing the melody line:
Note that unlike many chord sheets you can find ...
5
votes
3answers
174 views
Are there names for referring to the top or bottom numbers in a time signature?
In a time signature of 3/4 (three by four), what is the name given to the 3 and the 4? I know it in my own language, but can't find the answer for the English equivalent.
5
votes
3answers
314 views
What is the meaning of “playing off the beat” and “playing on the beat”?
I am learning piano from a book and I can't understand the meaning of the phrases "playing on the beat" and "playing off the beat" and the difference between them. Can anyone explain them to me?
5
votes
2answers
216 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What is meant by “Top-End” and “Bottom-End”?
When guitarists describe the sound of their guitars, a lot of terms are used.
What does a guitarist mean when they talk about top and bottom end?
5
votes
3answers
136 views
Is there a formal term for a recording's pitch being “in the cracks”?
Lots of recordings were (sometimes intentionally) speed up/slowed down before final mastering, so that, even if the band was tuned to concert pitch, it isn't in the released version.
If you have a ...
5
votes
2answers
698 views
Is there a technical term for sad songs with happy lyrics and vice versa?
I'm talking about things like the Pogues "Fairy Tale of New York", an upbeat song with bitter lyrics like
Happy Christmas your arse / I pray God it's our last
Is there a technical term or ...
5
votes
2answers
715 views
Electronic keyboard terms: Aftertouch vs Pressure-sensitive
I was reading a review of the Akai Miniak which said
The 37 half-weighted keys are velocity and aftertouch but not pressure sensitive.
I thought aftertouch was MIDI signals of continuing ...
4
votes
2answers
161 views
What do you call plucking the violin strings with the finger, rather than using the bow?
I was attempting to learn a bit about violin sheet music, and then I wondered if the act of producing sound with the finger or the fingernail had a written notation.
I had a hard time finding a video ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Does anyone know what does the “feat.” means exactly?
Does anyone know what does the "feat." means exactly?
Like in "I wanna love you clean" it says akon (feat. Snoop dog) what does it mean?
4
votes
6answers
861 views
What is “classical” guitar?
What exactly is classical music or playing? Some keep on saying this one is classical, that one is not classical. Well, how exactly can I define what is classical or not? I love plucking and do it all ...
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 ...
4
votes
6answers
352 views
What is a “producer” in hip-hop music?
I was having a look at some hip hop albums on Wikipedia and I noticed that on the track list, there's often a "writer" column and a "producer" column. I can see who the writers are, but what are the ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views
4
votes
1answer
73 views
What is the word for 'repeating the tonic at the “end” of spelling a scale?'
I am referring to the practice of repeating the root or tonic of a scale when spelling (not playing) a scale. I recall being told to __ my scale but I cannot remember the word… at all.
4
votes
1answer
168 views
What are these aspects of song structure called?
In songs, we often have very similar melodies and rhythm patterns being repeated over and over again. The following is an approximate melody of one stanza of Willy O' Winsbury as performed by ...
3
votes
5answers
249 views
Sharp / Flat: Collectively known as property by what name?
If a chord can be said to have a Quality which relates to whether it is major, minor, augmented or diminished then by what name do we call the property of a single note's flatness or sharpness?
Note: ...
3
votes
3answers
133 views
What should I look for in a recording microphone for personal use?
I was browsing through mics on Amazon and quickly realized I was out of my depth. There are a couple closely related questions I am wondering about:
Are there different types of mics for (1) ...
3
votes
4answers
243 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
258 views
What's the term for the intervals between notes within a scale that produces a chord
I probably described that poorly in the title, and I'm not even sure there is a word for what I'm thinking.
Lets say you're playing on just the white keys on a keyboard. C E G is C major, and D F A ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the difference between swing and shuffle?
I am learning piano from a book and I can't understand the difference between swing and shuffle. I have searched, but I still can't understand the difference. Could someone please iterate the ...
3
votes
2answers
91 views
Musical construction in rock - what does this mean?
Andrew Chester writes (emphasis mine):
Western classical music is the apodigm of the extensional form of musical construction. Theme and variations, counterpoint, tonality (as used in classical ...
3
votes
1answer
220 views
What is it called when near the end of the song there's a section with a deliberately slow tempo?
No, not a final gradual ritardando. It's hard for me to describe. It may only be a thing in musical theater. Here are some examples:
2011 Tony Awards Opening Number (starts around 4:45)
"Gee, ...
3
votes
4answers
460 views
What would you call all-drum instrumental music?
I'm trying to find the title for music containing all percussion instruments (pianos/xylophones not included) such as drum corps and marching band drum breakdowns. I'd basically like to listen to ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
Is that a hemiola or what?
I found myself listening to Mumford and Sons' Babel, and my friend and I couldn't quite agree on how to describe the rhythm. I won that battle since my way led to groups of four figures, whereas his ...
3
votes
2answers
104 views
Name for music that imitates speech
I have searched and asked others for the answer to this but have come up dry: what is the name or technique in music where musical notes approximate/imitate speech? Note that I am not talking about ...
3
votes
4answers
220 views
Is there a name for this guitar technique for Paganini's Capriccio #6?
I've spent several years working up Paganini's Capriccio #6 for the violin on the guitar and I wonder if the idea already exists and has a name.
For the violin, the piece is a coninuous double-stop ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Why are instrumental tracks also called “minus one tracks”?
Does anyone know why instrumental tracks are also called "minus one tracks"?
3
votes
1answer
228 views
How should staccatissimo be played?
How should staccatissimo be played on Handel, Beethoven, and Liszt pieces? I have read that it is like staccato only shorter, but it seems like it is used when notes should be staccato and accented. ...
2
votes
3answers
108 views
Is there a proper musical term for a piece's “roadmap”?
Band directors and other teachers will colloquially refer to a piece's "roadmap": the flow control commands denoted by repeats, repeat endings, D.C.s, D.S.es, codas, etc.
Is there a proper word for ...
2
votes
2answers
123 views
What is this 4 bar part of music called?
In the song Amie by Pure Prairie League there is a repeated section of muisc that is about 4 bars long(or 2 depending on how you count it). It occurs between every section of music except near the end ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
Is there a formal name for this type of composition?
So, say there's a musical piece that has the following structure:
[A.1] [A.2] [A.3] [A]
Where A is a "harmonic theme", in the sense that it's treated as a theme, but its melodic content is contained ...
