musician
Plays an instrument
A musician is someone who plays a musical instrument or composes music, whether professionally or as a hobby.
The term applies broadly—from orchestral violinists to bedroom guitarists to electronic producers.
Professional musicians may perform live, record in studios, or work as session players backing other artists.
She's been a musician since she picked up the piano at age five.
The word carries no implication of skill level; both beginners and virtuosos qualify.
Vocal music performer
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- altoLower female voice
crooner · diva · chanteuse · choirboy · cantor · belter · falsetto · yodeler
Live musical performance
- gigShort-term paid work
- recitalSolo musical performance
- stageRaised performance platform
- tourPlanned multi-destination journey
setlist · encore · venue · festival · audience · applause · spotlight · microphone
Supremely accomplished performer
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
sight-reading · ear training · vibrato · phrasing · intonation · dexterity · practice · scales
Notes sounded simultaneously
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- intervalDuration between two points
key · progression · modulation · arpeggio · tonality · pitch · tuning · dissonance
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- meterDevice that measures usage
timing · pulse · backbeat · polyrhythm · downbeat · swing · shuffle · cadence
Improvisational American music genre
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
- rockSolid earthen material
- folkRegular common people
- bluesMournful American music genre
country · reggae · hip-hop · electronic · metal · punk · soul · R&B
One who plays piano
- guitaristOne who plays six strings
- violinistOne who bows strings
- drummerOne who keeps rhythm
- cellistBowed-string musician
bassist · saxophonist · trumpeter · flutist · clarinetist · percussionist · keyboardist · harpist
Extended composition for orchestra
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
concerto · opus · overture · requiem · notation · leitmotif · libretto · soundtrack
singer
Vocal music performer
alto · crooner · diva · chanteuse · choirboy · cantor · belter · falsetto · yodeler · scat
concert
Live musical performance
tour · setlist · encore · venue · festival · audience · applause · spotlight · microphone · roadie
virtuoso
Supremely accomplished performer
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
technique · sight-reading · ear training · vibrato · phrasing · intonation · dexterity · practice · scales · repertoire
chord
Notes sounded simultaneously
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- scaleMeasure of relative size
interval · key · progression · modulation · arpeggio · tonality · pitch · tuning · dissonance · consonance
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
meter · timing · pulse · backbeat · polyrhythm · downbeat · swing · shuffle · cadence · time signature
jazz
Improvisational American music genre
blues · country · reggae · hip-hop · electronic · metal · punk · soul · R&B · gospel
pianist
One who plays piano
cellist · bassist · saxophonist · trumpeter · flutist · clarinetist · percussionist · keyboardist · harpist · oboist
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
sonata · concerto · opus · overture · requiem · notation · leitmotif · libretto · soundtrack · fugue
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, singer
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- musicsong, songs, singing, singer, singers
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
musicianaudience
Gathered viewers collectively
listener · concertgoer · spectator · observer · viewer
musiciandancer
One who moves rhythmically
actor · visual artist · painter · sculptor
- street musicianOutdoor performer seeking donations
- jazz musicianImprovising instrumental performer
- folk musicianTraditional song performer
- blues musiciansPerformers of melancholic American folk
- session musicianHired studio performer
- pop musiciansCommercial music performers