Music terms dictionary

arpeggio

An arpeggio is the playing of the notes of a chord in succession rather than simultaneously -- a broken chord played one note at a time, ascending or descending.

BPM

BPM (beats per minute) is the numerical measurement of tempo -- the count of rhythmic pulses per minute in a piece of music.

breakdown

A breakdown is a section of a song where the full arrangement drops away -- typically to drums, bass, or a single element -- creating contrast and building anticipation for the return of the full sound.

bridge

A bridge is a contrasting section of a song that appears once, typically after the second chorus, providing melodic or harmonic relief before the final chorus.

build

A build (or build-up) is a structural section that increases energy, density, or tension progressively -- adding elements, increasing volume, or accelerating pace -- in preparation for a climax or drop.

cadence

A cadence is a harmonic sequence of two or more chords that marks the end of a musical phrase, section, or piece -- creating a sense of arrival, conclusion, or punctuation.

chorus

A chorus is the recurring, climactic section of a song -- usually the loudest, most memorable part -- that repeats the central lyrical and melodic idea.

coda

A coda is a concluding section of a piece of music -- typically distinct from the main structural sections -- that provides a sense of finality and closure.

consonance

Consonance refers to combinations of notes that sound stable, pleasant, and resolved -- intervals or chords that create a sense of rest, agreement, and harmonic completion.

counterpoint

Counterpoint is the compositional technique of combining two or more independent melodic lines that are harmonically interdependent but rhythmically and/or melodically contrasting.

dissonance

Dissonance refers to combinations of notes that create tension, instability, or harshness -- intervals or chords that the ear perceives as unresolved and demanding movement.

drop

The drop is the moment in electronic dance music when a breakdown resolves into the full beat and bass -- the peak impact moment that the arrangement has been building toward.

fermata

A fermata is a musical pause symbol indicating that a note, chord, or rest should be held for longer than its notated value -- as long as the performer or conductor feels appropriate.

glissando

A glissando is a slide between two notes, passing through all intermediate pitches -- either continuously (as on a fretless instrument or trombone) or by sliding rapidly through discrete pitches (as on a piano).

harmony

Harmony is the simultaneous combination of notes to create chords and chord progressions -- the vertical dimension of music, as opposed to melody (the horizontal dimension).

hook

A hook is any musical element -- melodic phrase, rhythmic pattern, lyric, or riff -- that is deliberately memorable and designed to capture and hold the listener's attention.

interpolation

An interpolation is a re-recording of a melodic or rhythmic element from an existing song -- capturing the spirit of the original without using the original recording.

intro

An intro is the opening section of a song that precedes the first verse or main body -- establishing the musical character, key, tempo, and mood before the primary material begins.

key change

A key change is a shift in the tonal centre of a piece of music -- the note around which all other notes are organised -- creating a sense of movement, elevation, or emotional shift.

leitmotif

A leitmotif is a recurring melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic theme associated with a specific character, object, idea, or emotion in an opera, film score, or dramatic work.

melody

A melody is a sequence of single notes arranged in a musically satisfying pattern -- the linear, horizontal dimension of music that the listener perceives as a tune.

mixtape

A mixtape is an informal compilation of music -- originally cassette tape compilations mixed by DJs or made personally, later hip-hop projects released freely online outside the major label system.

modulation

Modulation is the process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music, used to create contrast, heighten tension, or provide a sense of elevation or surprise.

motif

A motif is a short, recurring musical idea -- melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic -- that serves as the building block for larger musical structures and carries identifying or thematic significance.

ostinato

An ostinato is a persistently repeated musical phrase or rhythm -- a short pattern that continues throughout a section or an entire piece, forming a hypnotic or structural backbone.

outro

An outro is the concluding section of a song -- the exit sequence that brings the track to a close, often by fading out, resolving harmonically, or extending the groove after the final chorus.

polyrhythm

A polyrhythm occurs when two or more contrasting rhythmic patterns are played simultaneously -- for example, three beats in the time of two, or five against four -- creating a complex interlocking texture.

refrain

A refrain is a recurring line, phrase, or section that repeats at regular intervals throughout a song -- often at the end of each verse -- distinct from but related to a chorus.

reprise

A reprise is the return of a previously heard musical theme, melody, or section -- often in a different context, key, or emotional register -- near the end of a piece.

riff

A riff is a short, repeated melodic or rhythmic phrase -- typically 1-4 bars -- that forms the identifiable core of a song or section, most commonly associated with guitar in rock music.

sample

A sample is a portion of an existing audio recording -- a drum break, a melodic loop, a vocal line -- used as source material in a new composition.

segue

A segue is a smooth, uninterrupted transition from one piece of music to another -- or from one section of a piece to the next -- without a pause.

solo

A solo is a passage for a single performer -- either unaccompanied or featured prominently above an accompaniment -- distinct from ensemble playing.

syncopation

Syncopation is the rhythmic technique of placing accents on beats or parts of beats that are normally weak or unaccented -- creating a sense of rhythmic surprise, groove, or forward momentum.

tempo

Tempo is the speed at which a piece of music is played, typically measured in beats per minute (BPM), ranging from very slow (20 BPM) to extremely fast (300+ BPM).

time signature

A time signature is a notational symbol indicating how many beats are in each bar of music and what type of note gets one beat, written as a fraction (e.g., 4/4, 3/4, 6/8).

tutti

Tutti (Italian for 'all') is a direction indicating that all performers in an ensemble should play together -- the full orchestra, choir, or band sounding simultaneously.

vamp

A vamp is a repeated harmonic or rhythmic pattern -- typically two to four chords -- that a band loops indefinitely, usually to fill time or build tension while waiting for a soloist or vocalist to be ready.

verse

A verse is a recurring section of a song that advances the narrative or lyrical content, typically with different words each time it appears but the same or similar melody.

vibrato

Vibrato is a rapid, small, regular oscillation in pitch around a central note -- a controlled wavering that adds expressiveness, warmth, and sustain to a tone.

vinyl

Vinyl refers to phonograph records pressed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) -- the physical medium for recorded music dominant from the late 1940s through the 1980s and enjoying sustained cultural revival from the 2010s onward.