A had an epiphany yesterday morning. Father and idea are doing fine. But seriously…
For the past handful of years I’ve been updating Word Sound Guide, a website that explains the basic differences between various homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings). It occurred to me that I could sort of “massage” that concept and create a list of everyday words that also have a different or extra meaning in the musician’s world.
I now present said list (with simplified definitions) for your education and amusement.
Bar
Non-music definition: A business that (sometimes) serves food and (usually) alcoholic beverages; a solid piece of material that is longer than it is wide.
Music definition: One metrical unit of music, marked on either side by a bar line (e.g. “We heard four bars of the introduction, then the melody started.”). See Measure below.
Cannon/Canon
Non-music definition: Cannon – a large, heavy gun, usually mounted on a carriage; Canon – an authentic, accepted group of related works.
Music definition: A piece in which a melody is played by one instrument, then repeated by others at different times, like in a round (e.g. Pachelbel’s Canon).
Flat
Non-music definition: having a smooth, even surface.
Music definition: a sign shown before a written note to indicate that it should be played a half step lower; an out-of-tune note, lower than acceptable.
Gallop/Galop
Non-music definition: to run fast, usually relating to a horse’s gait.
Music definition: a quick dance in duple meter (e.g. Orpheus in the Underworld).
Key
Non-music definition: a metal item used to turn the bolt of a lock.
Music definition: a set of notes, indicated by a specific music scale (e.g. C major, A-flat minor, etc.).
Measure
Non-music definition: to take a measurement.
Music definition: One metrical unit of music, marked on either side by a bar line (See Bar above).
Movement
Non-music definition: motion; the act or process of moving.
Music definition: a section of a more extensive work (e.g. Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” movement from his 9th symphony).
Mute
Non-music definition: unable to speak.
Music definition: an item use to muffle or change the character of the sound of an instrument.
Natural
Non-music definition: existing in or occurring in nature; not artificial.
Music definition: a note that is neither sharp nor flat.
Pitch
Non-music definition: to throw; to discard by throwing.
Music definition: the frequency of a note’s vibrations.
Rest
Non-music definition: free from labor; a state of inactivity.
Music definition: a character representing a rhythmic silence in written music.
Scale
Non-music definition: a machine for weighing.
Music definition: a sequence of notes in order by step.
Score
Non-music definition: an account kept by marking a tally.
Music definition: written music that shows all the parts of a piece (e.g. strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, etc.).
Sharp
Non-music definition: having a thin edge or fine point; quick-witted.
Music definition: a sign shown before a written note to indicate that it should be played a half step higher; an out-of-tune note, higher than acceptable.
Staff
Non-music definition: a long stick used for support in walking; a group of officers or personnel to assist a commanding officer or director in carrying out a task.
Music definition: the set of five parallel lines used for pitch notation.
Suite
Non-music definition: a group of items constituting a set (e.g. hotel rooms, matched furniture, computer programs sold as a single unit, etc.).
Music definition: an instrumental piece consisting of several shorter pieces.
Tie
Non-music definition: to fasten, attach, or connect by tying; to make an equal score at the end of a contest; a clothing accouterment to be tied when worn (e.g. necktie).
Music definition: a curved line indicating that two or more notes should be slurred.
And a special bonus for all you Berkeley Breathed fans:
Opus
Non-music definition: “Existentialist” penguin from the comic strip Bloom County (Launched Dec. 8, 1980 – Ended August 6, 1989).
Music definition: a set of musical compositions usually numbered in the order they were created.