Classical Music Terms

noun a musical instrument of the woodwind family with a single reed and a cylindrical tube

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• The clarinet is a woodwind instrument commonly used in orchestras and chamber music.
• I picked up the clarinet in high school and have been playing in the school band ever since.
• Let's jam out with our clarinets at the park this weekend!
• Her voice was like a clarinet, smooth and melodic, filling the room with warmth.

noun A person who writes the text of an opera or other musical work

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• The librettist collaborated with the composer to create the opera's storyline and lyrics.
• The librettist worked closely with the composer to write the words for the opera.
• The librettist and composer teamed up to come up with the story and lyrics for the show.
• The librettist's words danced off the page and onto the stage, bringing the opera to life.

noun A text or script of an opera, oratorio, cantata, or musical

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• The libretto for the opera was meticulously crafted by the renowned playwright.
• I heard the libretto for the musical is really catchy and fun.
• The libretto for that show is lit, you have to check it out.
• She wrote her own life's libretto, turning her experiences into a beautiful story.

noun A person who writes or composes music, especially melodies

• The melodist composed a beautiful symphony that moved the audience to tears.
• My friend is a talented melodist and loves to play her guitar at parties.
• The melodist totally killed it at the concert last night!
• As a melodist of words, the poet weaved emotions into his verses.

noun a musical setting of Psalm 51 (50) in the Latin Vulgate, beginning Miserere mei, Deus, 'Have mercy on me, O God'

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• The choir performed a beautiful rendition of the Miserere during the church service.
• I can't stop humming the Miserere tune after hearing it at the concert.
• That Miserere song is stuck in my head, it's so catchy!
• The Miserere of the wind through the trees created a hauntingly beautiful melody.

noun a technique in music where the bow bounces lightly on the strings of a string instrument

adjective relating to or being a style of playing a string instrument in which the bow is made to bounce lightly on the strings

• The violinist demonstrated exquisite control in her spiccato bowing technique.
• I tried to play spiccato on the violin, but it just sounded like a mess.
• Dude, did you see that drummer's spiccato skills? They were insane!
• Her words came out in a spiccato rhythm, sharp and staccato, leaving no room for argument.