Guitar: Basic Vocabulary

Dynamics

The relative loudness and softness are marked by volume indicators like forte and piano

Articulation

Symbols indicating how notes are performed, like Staccato, Legato, and Marcato.

Tempo

The speed of the music's pulse and rhythmic flow. (eg. 123 bpm)

Rhythm

The patterns of long and short notes that give music its sense of motion and pulse.

Phrasing

How notes are connected and shaped into musical sentences or ideas.

Orchestration

How instrumental colors are used and blended into the musical arrangement.

Tonality

The tonal center established by harmony and key.

Modulation

Shifting from one key to another.

Harmony

The vertical aspect of music, focusing on chords, chord progressions, and harmonic rhythm.

Instrumentation

The specific instrument used in a music arrangement.

Timbre

The tone color and sound quality of voices and instruments.

Melody

The horizontal leadline and tune.

Counterpoint

Interplay between independent musical lines and voices.

Structure

The musical architecture and organization.

Form

The layout of sections like verse, chorus, and bridge.

Motif

Short melodic or rhythmic pattern.

Theme

A prominent repeating melody.

Development

Elaborating and varying musical material over time.

Concept

Unifying compositional idea.

Contrary

Consecutive actions moving in opposite directions.

Parallel

Consecutive actions moving in the same direction.

Motivation

Stimulating musical interest and engagement