musical composition
Arranged musical work
A musical composition is a piece of music, especially one that has been written down or formally structured.
The term emphasizes the work as a created artifact rather than an improvisation or performance: Bach's compositions for solo cello, She studied musical composition at conservatory.
Composition alone often suffices in musical contexts.
Extended composition for orchestra
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- operaTheatrical art combining song
- fugueContrapuntal musical form
requiem · nocturne · etude · prelude · minuet · scherzo · waltz · march
Numerical standing in competition
- staffOrganization's workers collectively
- clefStaff pitch indicator
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
manuscript · parts · orchestration · dynamics · articulation · key signature · time signature · rest
Musical sequence of notes
- motifRecurring thematic element
- themeCentral recurring concept
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
hook · refrain · contour · sequence · ornamentation · lyricism · variation · development
Notes sounded simultaneously
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- triadGroup of three
- arpeggioSuccessive chord tones
tonality · counterpoint · polyphony · homophony · interval · modulation · cadence · voicing
Change in position
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- recapitulationSummarizing what came before
- codaClosing musical passage
bridge · verse · chorus · introduction · transition · section · form · binary
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- meterDevice that measures usage
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- pulseArterial blood throb
time signature · groove · polyrhythm · backbeat · downbeat · upbeat · measure · accent
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- operaTheatrical art combining song
fugue · requiem · nocturne · etude · prelude · minuet · scherzo · waltz · march · overture
score
Numerical standing in competition
- staffOrganization's workers collectively
- clefStaff pitch indicator
- transcriptionWritten version of speech
arrangement · manuscript · parts · orchestration · dynamics · articulation · key signature · time signature · rest · note value
tune
Musical sequence of notes
phrase · hook · refrain · contour · sequence · ornamentation · lyricism · variation · development · inversion
chord
Notes sounded simultaneously
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
- dissonanceLack of harmony
- triadGroup of three
arpeggio · tonality · counterpoint · polyphony · homophony · interval · modulation · cadence · voicing · texture
movement
Change in position
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- developmentProgress toward maturity
- recapitulationSummarizing what came before
coda · bridge · verse · chorus · introduction · transition · section · form · binary · ternary
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- meterDevice that measures usage
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
pulse · time signature · groove · polyrhythm · backbeat · downbeat · upbeat · measure · accent · pattern
instrumentation
Design of measuring devices
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- voicingExpressing aloud
- textureSurface tactile quality
timbre · doubling · scoring · ensemble · chamber · strings · woodwinds · brass · percussion · tutti
- creative artsvisual art, drawing, painting, abstract art, illustration
musical compositionimprovisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
musical improvisation · extemporization · jam session · ad-lib · free jazz
musical compositionsilence
Total lack of sound
rest · muteness · soundlessness · quiet
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