Composition Techniques

noun There is no noun form for the word 'atonal'.

adjective Atonal is an adjective that describes music that lacks a tonal center or key.

• The composer's use of atonal melodies challenged traditional music conventions.
• I don't really like atonal music because it sounds too random to me.
• Some people think atonal tunes are just a bunch of random notes thrown together.
• The atonal atmosphere of the painting left viewers feeling unsettled and confused.

noun the state of being strikingly different from something else

verb to compare in order to show differences

• In contrast to the previous study, the new research findings suggest a different conclusion.
• She prefers tea while I, in contrast, prefer coffee.
• I like action movies, but my friend is more into rom-coms - quite the contrast!
• The bright colors of the flowers in the garden stood in stark contrast to the dull gray sky.

noun a contrasting or opposing element, idea, or theme in a work of art, music, literature, etc.

verb to contrast with or be in opposition to something

• The composer used a beautiful counterpoint between the violin and cello in the concerto.
• The back-and-forth counterpoint between the two actors on stage was really entertaining.
• The counterpoint between the two rappers in the freestyle battle was fire.
• The contrasting colors in the painting created a visual counterpoint that drew the viewer's eye.

noun A key signature is a group of sharps or flats placed at the beginning of a piece of music to indicate the key or tonality.

• The key signature indicates the key of a musical piece by specifying which notes are sharp or flat.
• Remember to check the key signature before playing a new song on the piano.
• I always struggle with remembering the key signature for each piece I play.
• In life, the key signature to success is hard work and determination.

noun a piece of music

• The string section is a crucial part of orchestral music.
• The bass guitar is my favorite part of music.
• Dude, the drums are the best part of music, hands down.
• Melody is like the heart, rhythm is like the soul, and harmony is like the spirit - all essential parts of music.

noun A musical note having the time value of one quarter of a whole note

• The quarter note is a fundamental unit of musical rhythm, typically lasting for one quarter of a whole note.
• Hey, make sure you hold that quarter note for the right amount of time in the song.
• I always struggle with keeping up with the tempo when playing quarter notes on the drums.
• In the grand symphony of life, each decision we make can be likened to a quarter note - a small but significant part of the whole composition.

noun a person's ability to notice and understand things quickly and accurately

• The detective's sharp eye for detail helped him solve the case quickly.
• My friend has a sharp eye for fashion and always knows the latest trends.
• The art critic has a sharp eye for spotting fake paintings.
• She has a sharp eye for opportunities and never misses a chance to succeed.

noun A time signature is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and which note value constitutes one beat.

• The composer specified a 3/4 time signature for the piece.
• Hey, can you tell me the time signature of this song?
• I'm not sure about the time signature of that track, it's kind of funky.
• In life, we all march to the beat of our own time signature.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The added sixth chord is commonly used in classical music compositions.
• I love the sound of the added sixth chord in that song.
• That added sixth chord really gives the music some extra flavor.
• The added sixth chord adds a layer of complexity to the overall sound.

noun a type of musical scale that starts and ends on the sixth degree of a major scale, also known as the natural minor scale

• The aeolian minor scale is a musical scale that starts and ends on the sixth degree of a major scale.
• I learned how to play the aeolian minor scale on my guitar yesterday.
• Dude, check out this sick riff using the aeolian minor scale!
• In life, sometimes we have to navigate through the aeolian minor scale of challenges to reach our goals.