Definitions for Instruments
After having different conversations with a variety of instrumentalists, this is a collection of helpful words to use and their definitions in order to benefit band communication.
String Instruments
String Crossing
Keeping your fingers on different strings while moving your bow back and forth between those strings
Up Bow
Moving the bow to the left, or up, which usually has a faster and more playful feel.
Down Bow
Moving the bow to the right, or down, which usually has a slower, heavier feel.
Pizzicato
Plucking the string to make a short, staccato sound. Useful for musical contrast throughout a song, but hard to pick up with micing.
Open Strings
Playing one of the four open strings with no fingers on the neck of the instrument which makes a bright and resonant sound, but is unable to have vibrato.
Intonation
making the movement of the bow and the movement of your fingers match seamlessly leads to good intonation which is the goal.
Legato
A more fluid and long note sound.
Staccato
A short and quick sound, can be accomplished with or without the bow.
Mute
A tool string instruments use to dampen their sound. A piece of plastic that attaches to their bridge to cause the strings to vibrate less.
Double Stop
When a string player plays two strings at a time.
Rhythm Guitar
Up Strum
Strumming the strings upwards from the bottom up, usually done after a down strum.
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Down Strum
Strumming the strings downwards from the top down, unlike up strum it can often be done without following an up strum. Also works well with the drums doing 4 on the floor.
Capo
A tool for guitarists to play in different keys without having to change the chords they are playing. Can change the sound because it is baring over the fret.
Bar Chords
Bar chords are known to be harder for guitarists to play, at least with the same resonate sound. When the guitarist uses one finger to bar over all the strings and use the others to play the chord.
Plucking
When the guitarist uses their fingers to play certain strings rather than strumming all of them. Used for quieter dynamics or ore rhythmically interesting guitar parts.
Lead Piano
Arpeggio
Playing the individuals notes of the chord, 1-3-5-8 is a basic arpeggio pattern.
Octave
Utilizing the different octaves of the piano as well as playing octaves with a melody.
Pedal
Using the pedal to make a sustained sound.
Inversion
Changing the base note of the chord rather than just the root.
Diamond Chords
Just playing the triad rather than adding any notes in between or improvising.
Percussion
Floor Tom
One of the drums in a standard drum kit, usually on the right of the drummer. Is used often for dynamic builds or changing the style of a pattern.
Snare and High Hat
Some of the most used parts of the drum kit. Snare drum and high hat cymbals are paired together on the left of the drummer. Used to keep a basic beat.
4 on the Floor
A phrase used to communicate to the drummer how to kick the bass drum. Means that in a basic 4/4 song to hit the bass drum emphatically on every beat.
Quarter/Eighth/Sixteenth Notes
Being comfortable differentiating between the different note values and what is needed at certain points of the song.
Cut Time
When you change the feeling of a normal 4/4 song to emphasis bigger divisions of the beat. (Can sometimes feel like “breaking things down”)