V
vibrato - the ability to bend the pitch up and down quickly. Usually the pitch is altered by only a semitone or less. Vibrato is used in vocals, strings and wind instruments. There is also a vibrato function on many guitar amplifiers. This type of vibrato is only a fluctuation of volume rather than pitch.
variation - a variation to a theme; a change in melodic structure based on the original theme, usually maintaining the original chord or harmonic progression. In classical music, the variation is often one from a major key to the minor key and vise versa. Variations of a chord are created by using the third or fifth instead of the root as the base of the chord. The first variation begins with the third, then fifth and root at the top. The second variation begins with the fifth, then the root, then the third at the top. Third and fourth variations may occur with more complex chords.
verse - the main body of a song lyric. The verse, usually maintaining the same melody repeatedly, tells the story of a song. Song format has evolved considerably in the past one to two hundred years. Traditional songs consisting of only verses, are referred to as a triple A format. 'A' is used to denote the verse in a song.
voice - as well as the voice that we use to talk or sing, the term voice, is also used for any instrument or sound. In sound recording, it is especially important to be aware of each separate "voice" as each voice will affect another. Any individual sound should be treated as a voice and assume it's own importance and place in the over all mix.
volume - audio quantity level, can be measured in decibels. Low volume may be described as "quiet", and high volume described as "loud". Most musical instrument amplifiers are equipped with a volume control, usually in the form of a knob, where as mixers usually have sliders.
