This section is a work in progress. Please stay tuned for constant updates of an A to Z of music. Here are some examples of the kind of language we will present. We also would like to extend to you an opportunity to add to this resource by submitting your insight and information on this topic as well as any terms you would like defined. Please go to our contact page and send us an e-mail.
A acoustic - referring to a type of guitar also known as a six string. Also referring to any
instrument that is not electric.
acoustics - usually referring to the nature of the sound in a room as in "wet" or "dry". Rooms
can also be tuned to an "A" which is 440 cycles per second. A room or space
including theatres or concert halls will often resonate more with a particular range
of frequency which requires a sound man to compensate for that effect.
alternate picking - when the string is plucked down and up as you play from one note to
another, first note down, next note up, next note down, next up etc. used only when
playing eighth notes or smaller increments. Also called flat picking.
B back beat - in 4/4 time the second and fourth beats are usually played by the snare drum.
The back beat can also be played by a rhythm guitar, mandolin or horn section.
bass - the lower frequencies of sound. Includes instruments like bass drum and bass guitar
which play the down beat or the first and third beat of a measure. Also refers to
a function on an amplifier that controls the lower frequencies.
C concert pitch - universal tuning to the note A below middle C as 440 cycles per second.
D dry - when there is no echo or other extra sounds or effects other than the original sound of
the voice or instrument.
dynamics - refers to a broad range in sound production as in volume; soft to loud, EQ; low,
mid and high frequency, texture; rough to smooth, clear to distorted etc. It is
usually preferred to include both ranges rather than always loud, low or distorted.
Also refers to compression and limiting functions in audio recording and mixing.
E effects - additional qualities that can be added to the sound or track include, echo, reverb,
delay, distortion, phase shift, compression etc.
engineer - a person who can set up and run all the technical equipment and software in a
recording studio or stage setting to control the sound.
EQ - short for equalization, referring to adjusting the levels of the three main sound
frequencies: top, mid and low ranges. When no EQ is added to the sound or track
it is said to be left "flat".
F fast four - a variation of 12 bar blues where the 4th degree of a progression comes after only
one measure; I / IV / I / I// IV / IV/ I / I // V / IV / I / V // or in the key of G play;
G / C / G / G// C / C/ G / G// D7 / C / G / D7 //. Notice that the 5th degree is often
a dominant seventh.
G groove - a rhythmic phrase that expresses the essence of the beat of a song usually in a style
such as funk, Latin, shuffle, straight eight, country, hip hop etc.
H harp - harmonica often played with folk and blues. Bending notes can be achieved by playing
notes on the in breath on a cross harp (alternate keys).
