Advanced Vocabulary - Words Used to Describe Music or Musical Instruments

Words Used to Describe Music or Musical Instruments 

acoustic adjective

music an acoustic musical instrument does not use electronic equipment to make its sound louder.

acoustic adjective

music acoustic music is not made louder with electronic equipment.

atonal adjective

music atonal music is not written or played in any one key a set of notes.

bass adjective

music written for a bass voice or instrument.

bluesy adjective

music bluesy music has the slow sad sound of blues , which developed from the songs of black slaves in the southern US.

classical adjective

relating to classical music.

discordant adjective

music discordant music sounds strange because it contains discords.

flat adverb

music singing or playing musical notes that are slightly lower than they should be.

funky adjective

music funky music has a strong simple beat that is good for dancing.

harmonic adjective

music relating to the way that musical notes are combined to create chords.

harmonious adjective

harmonious music consists of notes that combine in a pleasant way.

indie adjective

cinema, music indie films and music are produced and sold by small independent companies.

instrumental adjective

music instrumental music is played by instruments only rather than being sung.

jazzy adjective

informal jazzy music has a strong lively beat, like jazz.

leftfield adjective

music used for describing styles of modern electronica music produced using electronic instruments that are unusual and not very popular.

lo-fi adjective

music used for describing electronic music that is produced in a small private recording studio without spending much money.

melodic adjective

music relating to the melody main tune of a piece of music.

musical adjective

relating to music.

musical adjective

consisting of music.

musically adverb

in relation to music.

off-key adjective, adverb

music or singing that is off-key does not sound good because the notes are slightly wrong.

orchestral adjective

connected with, written for, or played by an orchestra.

philharmonic adjective

music a philharmonic orchestra performs classical music.

pizzicato adverb

music if you play a violin or other stringed instrument pizzicato, you play it by pulling the strings with your fingers instead of using the bow.

playable adjective

a piece of music that is playable can be played without much difficulty.

polyphonic adjective

a polyphonic ringtone is a sound that a mobile phone makes when it rings that consists of several notes played together so that it sounds like music.

pop adjective

relating to pop music.

progressive adjective

music used for describing music that tries new or unusual ideas, sometimes making it difficult to listen to.

sad adjective

a sad song or piece of music expresses unhappy feelings.

session adjective

music a session musician is paid to play with a band or singer making a record in a studio.

sharp adjective

slightly higher than the musical note that should be played or sung.

solo adjective

performed by one musician or instrument.

staccato adjective, adverb

music staccato notes are played or sung so that each note is clearly separate.

tonal adjective

music relating to music written in a particular key.

unaccompanied adjective

music an unaccompanied singer or musician sings or plays alone, without any other instruments or voices.

unplugged adjective

music used for describing music played without electric instruments by a musician who usually plays an electric instrument.

up-tempo adjective

music up-tempo music has a fast beat.

vocal adjective

relating to the voice, or done with the voice.

vocal adjective

using the voice to express something.

vocal adjective

vocal groups, music, or performances use singing.

atonality noun

       absence of or disregard for an established musical key in a composition.

atonally adverb

musicality noun

total words = 43