Music Performance Terms

noun a final appearance or performance, especially at the end of a play or concert

• The actors took their final bow during the curtain call.
• Did you see how the audience cheered during the curtain call?
• The cast killed it during the curtain call!
• The project's completion felt like a curtain call for our hard work.

adjective describing something that is extremely loud or piercing, to the point of being painful or unbearable

• The ear splitting sound of the alarm clock woke me up from a deep sleep.
• The concert last night was so loud, it was ear splitting!
• The fireworks were so ear splitting, my ears are still ringing.
• The news of his resignation was like an ear splitting bombshell in the office.

noun a complete range or extent

adjective comprehensive or covering all aspects

• The company decided to implement the new technology on a full scale.
• We're going all out with this project, full scale!
• Let's go big or go home, full scale it is!
• Her emotions were on a full scale, ranging from joy to despair.

noun a high rate of speed or action

adjective at maximum speed or capacity

• The machine was operating at full tilt to meet the production deadline.
• I was running around the office at full tilt trying to get everything done.
• She was driving her car at full tilt down the highway.
• His emotions were running at full tilt as he watched the intense movie scene.

noun a pause or break in an activity or event, typically a performance or movie

• During the intermission, guests are welcome to visit the concession stand.
• Let's grab some snacks during the intermission.
• I always use the intermission to stretch my legs.
• Taking a break can be seen as an intermission in the day's activities.

noun a repeated light tapping sound

verb to make a rapid succession of light tapping sounds

• The patter of rain on the roof was a soothing sound as I worked in my study.
• I love the patter of my dog's paws as he runs around the house.
• The patter of gossip in the office was getting out of control.
• The patter of applause filled the room as the speaker finished their inspiring speech.

noun a tube or channel for conveying fluids or gases

verb to speak up or speak loudly and assertively

• During the meeting, I kindly asked everyone to pipe up if they had any concerns.
• Hey, don't be shy, just pipe up and let us know what you think.
• Yo, if you got something to say, just pipe up and speak your mind.
• It's important to pipe up and stand up for what you believe in, even if it's not popular.

noun a dramatic work for the stage or to be broadcast

preposition used to indicate that something is the subject of a joke or pun

• The director's use of lighting and shadows created a captivating play on visual effects.
• I love how the artist used different colors to play on the canvas.
• That comedian always knows how to play on the audience's emotions.
• The politician's speech seemed to be a clever play on words to deceive the public.

verb to pour something onto a surface or object

pronoun referring to the object being poured on

• Please carefully pour it on the plants to ensure they receive enough water.
• Just pour it on the salad and mix it all together.
• I'm gonna pour it on my pancakes, they taste so good with syrup.
• She decided to pour it on thick with compliments to win him over.

noun a detailed account or statement

• The pianist gave a flawless recital at the concert hall.
• I heard you killed it at your piano recital last night!
• I can't believe you aced your recital, you're a rockstar!
• His speech was like a recital of poetry, captivating everyone in the room.

noun a loud cry or call

verb to utter a loud cry or call

• The teacher had to shout to get the attention of the noisy students.
• I had to shout to be heard over the loud music at the party.
• Don't shout, I can hear you just fine.
• Her success was a shout of victory in a quiet room.

noun an act or instance of making an error or mistake

verb to make an error or mistake

adjective describing something related to making errors or mistakes

• The employee's slipup cost the company a significant amount of money.
• I can't believe I made such a slipup on that project.
• Don't worry about that little slipup, no one will even notice.
• His slipup in the negotiations caused the deal to fall through.

noun a physical altercation or fight

verb to forcefully or aggressively throw something to the ground

• The diplomat decided to throw down his ultimatum during the negotiation.
• I dare you to throw down in a dance battle with me.
• Let's throw down some cash and buy those concert tickets.
• She was ready to throw down her defenses and open up to him.

adjective shaking or quivering slightly

• The speaker's voice was tremulous as he addressed the crowd.
• She gave a tremulous smile as she approached him.
• I could feel my heart beating tremulously as I asked her out on a date.
• The tremulous ground beneath our feet symbolized the uncertainty of the situation.

noun a change in direction or position

verb to move or cause to move in a circular direction

• Please make sure to signal before you turn left at the intersection.
• Don't forget to indicate when you're gonna turn left up ahead.
• Make a left turn at the next street.
• After facing many obstacles, she finally made a positive turn in her career.

noun a part of a stage that is farthest from the audience

verb to draw attention away from someone or something else on stage

adjective relating to or characteristic of the area of a stage that is farthest from the audience

adverb in a manner that draws attention away from someone or something else on stage

• The actor tried to upstage his co-star by delivering a more powerful performance.
• She always tries to upstage everyone else at the party.
• He's constantly trying to upstage his friends with his new car.
• Her bright personality always manages to upstage any negative situation.

adjective a slang term used to describe something stylish or cool, particularly in the context of skateboarding or streetwear culture

• The skier executed a steezy trick with precision and grace.
• Did you see that steezy move he pulled off on the skateboard?
• She's always rocking a steezy outfit wherever she goes.
• His steezy attitude towards life is what sets him apart from the rest.

noun a move

verb bust

• The dance instructor demonstrated how to properly bust a move during the class.
• Hey, let's hit the dance floor and bust a move!
• I saw Sarah bust a move at the party last night, she's got some serious skills!
• In order to succeed in business, sometimes you have to be willing to bust a move and take risks.

verb to walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait

• The peacock was strutting around the garden, displaying its vibrant feathers.
• She was strutting down the street like she owned the place.
• He was strutting his stuff on the dance floor last night.
• The new CEO was strutting through the office, exuding confidence and authority.

verb to forcefully shut or close something with great force

• The judge slammed his gavel to signal the end of the trial.
• She slammed the door in frustration after the argument.
• I can't believe he slammed that shot, what a legend!
• The news of the company's bankruptcy slammed the employees like a ton of bricks.

noun a leader or director, especially of a choir or orchestra

• The coryphaeus of the orchestra led the musicians with precision and grace.
• Everyone knows that Sarah is the coryphaeus of the dance group.
• Jake thinks he's the coryphaeus of the gaming community, but he's just average.
• As the CEO, she was seen as the coryphaeus of the company, guiding it towards success.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

verb a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence

adverb a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g., I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g., she, it, this)

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The contractor plans to tear it up and replace the entire flooring in the building.
• Let's tear it up on the dance floor tonight!
• I heard the new band is going to tear it up at the concert.
• She's going to tear it up in the upcoming debate with her strong arguments.

verb to perform extremely well or score very highly on a test or exam

• She aced the exam with a perfect score.
• He totally aced that presentation, everyone was impressed.
• I aced that job interview, they practically hired me on the spot.
• The team aced the project, exceeding all expectations.