Y
Z
zydeco - a style of music originated in the southern United States, especially Louisiana. While the French part of the culture developed a style of music combining traditional French songs and American country blues called Cajun music, the black part of the culture developed a style of music combining African rhythm and country blues called zydeco.
zither - a stringed instrument similar to an autoharp plus a fret board. Here is an example.
zone - a range of pitch or tone which is acceptably close to perfect pitch. Usually during a performance or recording of a performance, if the vocal is in key and there is no noticeable discrepancy it is said to be "in the zone". "In the pocket" refers to timing.
X
xylophone - a percussion instrument made of tuned wooden slats about a foot in length, set on a frame. The slats are arranged and tuned much like a piano and struck with mallets. Here is a great example.
yodeling - a style of singing involving the quick change from chest/full voice to falsetto/head voice usually in the increments of eighths or sixteenths. Here is a great example, Franzl Lang.
