Music Theory Vocabulary

noun an agreement or harmony between people or groups

verb to be in agreement or harmony

• According to the company's policy, employees must request approval in accord with the established procedures.
• We need to make sure our plans are in accord with what the boss wants.
• Let's all be on the same accord and get this project done.
• Their minds were in accord, creating a harmonious atmosphere during the meeting.

noun the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, a mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen.

verb to express one's opinions in a way that shows a sense of superiority or self-importance.

• The conductor carefully directed the orchestra to play with light and airy airs.
• She always puts on airs when she's around new people.
• He thinks he's better than everyone else, always giving off airs.
• The politician's speech was full of empty airs, lacking any real substance.

noun the act of putting things in a particular order or position

verb to put in a particular order or position

• The event planner will arrange all the details for the conference.
• Let's arrange a time to meet up for coffee.
• I'll arrange for us to hang out this weekend.
• She carefully arranged her thoughts before making a decision.

verb to organize or set in a particular order or position

• The meeting room was meticulously arranged with chairs facing the presentation screen.
• I arranged all the snacks on the table before the guests arrived.
• I arranged to meet my friends at the park later today.
• The pieces of the puzzle were arranged perfectly to reveal the hidden image.

noun a style of European architecture, music, and art of the 17th and 18th centuries that followed mannerism and is characterized by ornate detail.

adjective relating to or denoting a style of European architecture, music, and art of the 17th and 18th centuries that followed mannerism and is characterized by ornate detail.

• The baroque style of architecture was popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• I love visiting old churches with all that baroque decoration.
• That outfit is so baroque, it's like something out of a period drama.
• Her writing style is quite baroque, with elaborate descriptions and intricate details.

noun a split or division between two things

adjective split or divided

• The geologist studied the cleft in the rock formation.
• I found a cleft in the wall where we can hide the treasure.
• There's a cleft in the fence where we can sneak through.
• The cleft in their relationship seemed impossible to mend.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The library contains a collection of Shakespeare's complete works.
• I finally got my hands on the complete works of my favorite author.
• I scored the whole shebang of his complete works at the bookstore.
• Her complete works are a masterpiece of storytelling.

noun a person or thing that is disjoined or disconnected

adjective disconnected or disjointed

• The disjunct regions of the country have different economic policies.
• The disjunct areas of town have their own rules.
• The disjunct parts of the city do things their own way.
• Her thoughts were disjunct, jumping from one idea to another without connection.

noun one of eight equal parts of a whole; an eighth part

adjective referring to the position or rank in a sequence that is number eight

• She came in eighth place in the race.
• He's been in the same job for the past eighth years.
• I'll meet you at the eighth hole on the golf course.
• The eighth wonder of the world is said to be the Great Pyramid of Giza.

noun a cardinal number equal to 10 + 1

adjective amounting to one more than ten

• The meeting is scheduled for eleven o'clock tomorrow morning.
• Let's meet at eleven for brunch.
• I'll catch you at eleven for some grub.
• She always seems to be one step ahead, like the eleven in a game of chess.

noun the omission or slurring of one or more sounds or syllables in speech or writing

• The poet used elision to condense the words in the verse.
• She's really good at elision, making her stories short and sweet.
• I'm all about that elision life, cutting out the unnecessary stuff.
• In his speech, the politician used elision to skip over controversial topics.

noun The word 'fifth' can also be a noun, referring to one of five equal parts of a whole.

adjective The word 'fifth' is an adjective that describes something that comes after the fourth in a series.

• The fifth chapter of the book discusses the impact of globalization on the economy.
• I'll meet you at the fifth street corner for lunch.
• Let's skip the first four levels and jump straight to the fifth.
• She always comes in fifth place in the race, but she never gives up trying.

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

• After careful analysis, we figured out the best approach to solving the problem.
• I figured we could just take a shortcut through the park to get there faster.
• I never would have figured you'd be into that kind of music.
• She figured that letting go of the past was like releasing a heavy weight from her shoulders.

noun apartments with multiple living spaces on one floor

• The architect designed a new residential building with luxury flats.
• I love living in these cozy flats with my roommates.
• Let's check out those sick flats downtown.
• Her singing voice was as flat as a pancake during the performance.

adjective relating to or characterized by guttural sounds, harsh or throaty in character

• The singer's guttural voice resonated throughout the concert hall.
• I couldn't understand what he was saying with his guttural accent.
• His guttural growl scared off the intruders.
• The guttural sound of the engine signaled the start of the race.

verb past tense of hang, meaning to suspend or be suspended from above with the lower part not attached

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• The painting was carefully hung in the art gallery.
• I hung the picture frame on the wall.
• Let's hang out at the mall this weekend.
• The tension in the room hung heavy in the air.

adjective describing the state of being in movement or action

preposition indicating the location or position within a certain area of movement

• The train was already in motion when I arrived at the platform.
• The car was already in motion when I jumped in.
• The party was in motion as soon as the music started playing.
• The project is finally in motion after months of planning.

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

adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing information about the manner, place, time, or degree of an action

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The team members were all in step during the presentation.
• Let's make sure we're all in step before we start the project.
• We need to be in step if we want to win this competition.
• Their opinions were not in step with the rest of the group.

verb to connect or weave together in a intricate pattern

adjective having a pattern of crossing lines or strands

• The artist created a beautiful tapestry with intricate interlacing patterns.
• I love how the colors are interlacing in this painting.
• The vines were all interlacing together, it looked pretty cool.
• The themes of love and loss were interlacing throughout the novel.

noun the difference in pitch between two tones

• The doctor recommended taking the medication at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Make sure to take breaks at intervals during your study sessions.
• I like to switch up my workout routine with high-intensity intervals.
• There was a long interval of silence before anyone spoke again.

verb to weave or twist together

adjective having a pattern of weaving or twisting together

• The author masterfully demonstrated the art of interweaving different storylines in his novel.
• I love how the show keeps interweaving the main plot with the subplots.
• The rapper's lyrics are so fire, he's always interweaving clever wordplay in his songs.
• The intricate dance routine was like watching threads interweaving to create a beautiful tapestry of movement.

noun a small piece of shaped metal with incisions cut to fit the wards of a particular lock, which is inserted into a lock and turned to open or close it

verb to provide a lock with a key to operate it

adjective of crucial importance; central or essential

• The key to success is hard work and dedication.
• The key to acing the exam is studying the practice questions.
• The key to throwing a great party is having good vibes and good music.
• Communication is the key that unlocks the door to understanding in any relationship.

noun the measurement or extent of something from end to end; the amount of time something lasts or continues

adjective describing the extent or duration of something

• The length of the document must not exceed 10 pages.
• I can't believe the length of that movie, it felt like it would never end!
• I had to cut the length of my speech because it was getting too boring.
• The length of time it took for him to apologize was unacceptable.

noun a small, sweet type of orange

• The Mandarin language is spoken by over a billion people worldwide.
• I'm trying to learn how to speak Mandarin so I can communicate with my grandparents.
• Let's grab some dim sum and practice our Mandarin together.
• The CEO of the company is often referred to as the Mandarin, making all the important decisions.

noun a military drill in which soldiers march in place without moving forward

verb to perform a marching movement without moving forward

• The soldiers were instructed to mark time while waiting for further orders.
• We just had to stand there and mark time until the boss arrived.
• We were just chilling and marking time until the party started.
• It felt like I was just marking time in that dead-end job until I found something better.

noun a work of outstanding artistry or skill

adjective used to describe something that is of exceptional quality or skill

• The artist spent years creating a masterpiece that now hangs in the museum.
• Have you seen the new movie? It's a total masterpiece!
• That painting is straight fire, a true masterpiece!
• Her performance on stage was a masterpiece of emotion and skill.

noun a unit or standard of measurement

verb to determine the size, amount, or degree of something

• The government implemented a new measure to regulate the use of plastic bags.
• I need to take measure of how much flour is left before I go grocery shopping.
• I'll have to measure up the situation before deciding what to do.
• She took drastic measures to improve her health, including changing her diet and exercising regularly.

noun a person under the legal age of full responsibility

adjective lesser in size, extent, or importance; not major

• The minor details of the contract need to be thoroughly reviewed.
• I just have a minor issue with the new policy.
• Don't worry, it's just a minor hiccup.
• Her mistake was only a minor bump in the road to success.

noun the act or process of moving or being moved

adjective relating to or involved in a movement

preposition used to indicate the direction or manner in which someone or something moves

• The political movement gained momentum as more people joined the cause.
• I love watching dance movements in music videos.
• That new dance move is lit, I gotta learn it!
• The artist's brush strokes created a beautiful movement in the painting.

noun a dance step or movement in ballet

adjective no longer fashionable or in current use

• The old traditions have long since passe and are no longer relevant in today's society.
• That fashion trend is so passe, no one wears that anymore.
• Dude, that song is so passe, you need to update your playlist.
• His ideas on leadership are passe, we need to bring in some fresh perspectives.

noun a throw of the ball in baseball

verb to slope or tilt

• The entrepreneur delivered a compelling pitch to the investors.
• I really nailed my pitch during the presentation.
• She totally killed it with her pitch at the meeting.
• His pitch for the new marketing campaign was music to their ears.

noun the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method

verb to perform or repeatedly do something in order to improve or become proficient

adjective related to or involving practice or practical matters

preposition used to indicate the purpose or intended use of something

• Regular practice is essential for mastering any skill.
• I need to get more practice in before the big game.
• I've been putting in the practice to get better at playing guitar.
• Practice makes perfect, so keep working hard towards your goals.

noun a summary or concise review of main points or events

adjective related to or characteristic of a recapitulation

• The professor concluded the lecture with a thorough recapitulation of the main points.
• Let me give you a quick recapitulation of what we discussed earlier.
• I'll do a recapitulation of the game highlights for you.
• The artist's painting was a beautiful recapitulation of nature's beauty.

noun a collection or stock of works, skills, or items that are available for use or performance

adjective relating to or characteristic of a repertory

• The theater company has a diverse repertory of classic plays.
• I love going to see all the different shows in the theater's repertory.
• The band's repertory of songs is lit!
• His repertory of skills is what sets him apart from the competition.

verb to be repeated several times as an echo

• The sound of the church bells reverberated through the town.
• The music at the concert was so loud, it reverberated in my chest.
• The news of the party reverberated through the school like wildfire.
• The impact of his words reverberated in her mind long after he had left.

noun a person's right hand, which is typically the hand used for writing and most manual tasks

adjective referring to the hand located on the right side of the body

• She extended her right hand to shake hands with the new client.
• I always keep my phone in my right hand because I'm right-handed.
• He's my right-hand man, always there to help me out when I need it.
• The CEO's right hand is the person who assists with all major decisions and tasks.

noun a sound made by a bell or other object when rung

verb the action of making a ringing sound

• The ringing of the church bells could be heard throughout the town.
• I could hear the phone ringing, but I was too lazy to answer it.
• My ears are still ringing from that concert last night.
• The ringing in my ears after the explosion was a constant reminder of the danger I had faced.

noun a unit of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute

adjective coming after the first in order or sequence

adverb in the second place; secondly

• The second speaker at the conference discussed the importance of renewable energy.
• Can you wait a second? I just need to grab my phone.
• I'll catch you in a hot second, just finishing up here.
• She was second in command, always ready to step up when needed.

adjective relating to, following in a logical order or sequence

• The instructions must be followed in a sequential order to complete the task.
• Just do one thing at a time, in a sequential manner.
• Take it step by step, in a sequential way.
• Life is like a sequential series of events, each leading to the next.

adjective referring to one person or thing, unique, exceptional

• The committee agreed that the singular focus should be on improving customer satisfaction.
• She has a singular goal of becoming a professional dancer.
• That car is singular, dude!
• His singular talent for storytelling captivated the audience.

noun A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'sixth' can also be used as a noun to refer to the position or rank in a series.

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or gives more information about a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'sixth' is describing the order or position in a series.

• The sixth chapter of the book delves into the intricacies of quantum physics.
• I'll meet you at the sixth street corner at 3 o'clock.
• Let's hit up the sixth bar on the strip tonight.
• She felt like she was running in sixth gear during the marathon.

noun a person who skips

verb to move along lightly, stepping from one foot to the other with a hop or bounce

• Please do not skip any steps in the process, as it is crucial for the final outcome.
• I always skip breakfast because I'm never hungry in the morning.
• Let's skip this class and go grab some food instead.
• If you skip over the details, you might miss some important information.

verb to extend or pull something to its full length or width

• The fabric stretched tightly across the frame.
• I stretched out on the couch and took a nap.
• I stretched the truth a little to make my story more interesting.
• His patience was stretched to the limit after dealing with the difficult client.

noun a set of rooms designated for one person's or one party's use or for a particular purpose

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• The hotel offers a luxurious suite with a separate living area and bedroom.
• I booked a suite for our weekend getaway at the resort.
• Let's crash at my friend's place, he's got a sweet suite with a killer view.
• The CEO's corner office is like a suite in the corporate world, complete with all the perks and amenities.

adjective relating to or based on the number three; consisting of three parts or elements

• In mathematics, a ternary operation is an operation that takes three operands.
• I prefer using ternary expressions in my code for better readability.
• Let's keep it simple and use the ternary operator instead of an if-else statement.
• The ternary relationship between love, trust, and respect is crucial in any healthy relationship.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'unstressed' describes something that is not emphasized or given importance

• In linguistics, an unstressed syllable is a syllable that is pronounced with less emphasis or prominence.
• I tend to skip over unstressed words when I'm reading out loud.
• I always mumble through the unstressed parts of a song because I don't know the lyrics.
• She felt like an unstressed vowel in the middle of a sentence, easily overlooked and forgotten.

noun a word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word naming an attribute of a noun, such as sweet, red, or technical

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

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

conjunction a word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause

• The elevator moved up and down between the floors of the building.
• She was pacing up and down the hallway, waiting for the meeting to start.
• I can't believe he's still up and down with that girl after all they've been through.
• His emotions were like a rollercoaster, constantly going up and down throughout the day.

verb to move rapidly to and fro; oscillate

• The vibrating machine is used to separate particles based on size.
• I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
• Her phone keeps vibrating non-stop, it's so annoying.
• The city was vibrating with excitement during the festival.

noun the act of producing vocal sounds

adjective related to the production of vocal sounds

• The scientist studied the different types of vocalization in birds.
• The baby's first vocalization was a cute little coo.
• My dog's vocalizations always crack me up, he's so talkative!
• The artist used colors to represent the vocalizations of the city streets.

noun a combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment

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• The soundscape of the city is a complex mix of traffic noise, construction sounds, and distant sirens.
• I love walking through the park and listening to the soundscape of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
• The soundscape at that concert was lit, with the bass thumping and the crowd cheering.
• The soundscape of her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, making it hard to concentrate.