IELTS Vocabulary List: Music
Harmony: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect.
Example: The choir's harmony was so perfect, it moved the audience to tears.
Melody: A sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying.
Example: The violinist played a haunting melody that lingered in the listeners' minds.
Rhythm: A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound.
Example: The song's infectious rhythm made everyone want to dance.
Tempo: The speed at which a piece of music is played.
Example: The conductor set a brisk tempo, giving the symphony an energetic feel.
Dynamics: The variations in loudness between notes or phrases in music.
Example: The dynamics in the pianist's performance brought the piece to life.
Chord: A group of notes played together, typically consisting of a root note and its intervals.
Example: The guitarist strummed a complex chord that resonated beautifully.
Genre: A category of music characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
Example: Jazz is a genre known for its improvisational style and complex harmonies.
Pitch: The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
Example: The singer's pitch was perfect, hitting every note accurately.
Scale: A series of musical notes ordered by fundamental frequency or pitch.
Example: The student practiced the major scale to improve finger dexterity on the piano.
Syncopation: A disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm, a "surprise" beat.
Example: The jazz band's use of syncopation created an exciting and unpredictable rhythm.
Timbre: The character or quality of a musical sound distinct from its pitch and intensity.
Example: The cello's rich timbre added depth to the string quartet's performance.
Overture: An orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, oratorio, or other extended composition.
Example: The overture set the tone for the entire opera, preparing the audience for the drama to unfold.
Symphony: An elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements.
Example: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of the most famous symphonies in classical music.
Sonata: A composition for one or more solo instruments, one of which is usually a keyboard instrument.
Example: Mozart's piano sonata captivated the audience with its intricate passages.
Concerto: A musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra.
Example: The violinist's performance in the concerto was both technically and emotionally compelling.
Orchestra: A large group of musicians playing various instruments together, typically including string, woodwind, brass, and percussion sections.
Example: The orchestra's rendition of the piece was both powerful and delicate.
Acapella: Singing without instrumental accompaniment.
Example: The acapella group's harmonies were so tight, it sounded like they were accompanied by instruments.
Cadence: A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase, either in the middle or the end of a composition.
Example: The final cadence of the symphony provided a satisfying conclusion to the piece.
Improvisation: The act of creating music spontaneously without preparation.
Example: The jazz musician's improvisation was breathtaking, showcasing their skill and creativity.
Modulation: The process of changing from one key to another in music.
Example: The sudden modulation to a higher key brought a new intensity to the song.
Aria: A long, accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio.
Example: The soprano's aria was the highlight of the evening, showcasing her vocal prowess.
Cadenza: A virtuoso solo passage inserted into a movement in a concerto or other work, typically near the end.
Example: The pianist's cadenza was both technically impressive and emotionally stirring.
Counterpoint: The art of combining different melodic lines in a musical composition.
Example: Bach's fugues are renowned for their intricate counterpoint.
Libretto: The text of an opera or other long vocal work.
Example: The libretto of the opera was beautifully written, complementing the music perfectly.
Motif: A short musical idea or pattern that is developed within a piece of music.
Example: The motif was repeated throughout the symphony, providing a unifying theme.
Octave: The interval between one musical pitch and another with half or double its frequency.
Example: The singer's range extended over three octaves, impressing the audience.
Opera: A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to music for singers and instrumentalists.
Example: The opera's elaborate staging and powerful music captivated the audience.
Refrain: A repeated line or number of lines in a song or poem, typically at the end of each verse.
Example: The song's catchy refrain made it popular on the radio.
Staccato: Notes that are sharply detached or separated from the others.
Example: The staccato notes added a playful character to the piece.
Tonic: The first note of a scale, serving as the home base around which the music is centered.
Example: Returning to the tonic at the end of the piece provided a sense of resolution.
Legato: Notes that are played smoothly and connectedly.
Example: The violinist's legato playing created a seamless and flowing melody.
Forte: Played loudly and strongly.
Example: The orchestra's forte passage filled the concert hall with sound.
Pianissimo: Played very softly.
Example: The pianissimo section required the audience to listen intently to the delicate notes.
Allegro: A brisk and lively tempo.
Example: The symphony's allegro movement was exhilarating and fast-paced.
Ballad: A slow, sentimental or romantic song.
Example: The singer's ballad about lost love touched everyone's hearts.
Cantata: A medium-length narrative piece of music for voices with instrumental accompaniment, typically with solos, chorus, and orchestra.
Example: The church's choir performed a beautiful cantata for the holiday service.
Crescendo: A gradual increase in loudness.
Example: The piece reached a dramatic crescendo, heightening the emotional impact.
Da Capo: From the beginning (used as a direction in music to repeat the previous part).
Example: The conductor instructed the orchestra to play da capo, starting the piece over again.
Fugue: A composition where a short melody or phrase is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others.
Example: The fugue's intricate structure showcased the composer's mastery of counterpoint.
Gigue: A lively piece of music in the style of a dance, typically in compound time.
Example: The baroque suite ended with a spirited gigue, leaving the audience in high spirits.
Intermezzo: A short piece of music between the main divisions of an extended musical work.
Example: The intermezzo provided a gentle contrast to the opera's dramatic scenes.
Madrigal: A secular vocal music composition, usually a part song, of the Renaissance and early Baroque eras.
Example: The choir performed a madrigal, showcasing their ability to sing complex harmonies.
Nocturne: A musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night.
Example: Chopin's nocturnes are famous for their serene and lyrical qualities.
Oratorio: A large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme.
Example: Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most celebrated oratorios in the classical repertoire.
Prelude: An introductory piece of music, often preceding a larger work.
Example: The prelude set the stage for the dramatic themes that followed in the symphony.
Rondo: A musical form with a recurring leading theme, often found in the final movement of a sonata or concerto.
Example: The rondo form provided a lively and repetitive structure to the movement.
Serenade: A musical composition or performance delivered in honor of someone or something.
Example: The guitarist played a serenade under her window, capturing her heart.
Suite: A set of instrumental compositions, originally in dance style, to be played in succession.
Example: Bach's cello suites are a staple of the instrument's repertoire.
Theme: A central musical idea that is repeated and developed throughout a composition.
Example: The symphony's main theme was instantly recognizable and deeply moving.
Virtuoso: A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
Example: The violinist was a virtuoso, astounding the audience with his technical proficiency.