Back to Blog
Music Terminology Dictionary
Learn the fundamental terms you need for listening to, discussing, and understanding music.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BPM | Beats per minute — the unit that measures a song's tempo. |
| Hook | The most memorable, catchy part of a song — the core melody that hooks the listener. |
| Bridge | A contrasting section that links a verse to a chorus and adds variety. |
| Verse | The main body of a song that carries the story forward. |
| Chorus | The refrain — the repeated, central section of a song. |
| Tempo | The speed at which a piece of music is played. |
| Key | The tonal center of a song — the scale it is built around. |
| Pitch | How high or low a note sounds. |
| Melody | A sequence of notes heard as a single, flowing line. |
| Harmony | Two or more notes sounding at the same time to support the melody. |
| Rhythm | The pattern of note lengths and accents over time. |
| Beat | The steady, underlying pulse of a piece of music. |
| Bar/Measure | A single unit of time that groups a set number of beats. |
| Sample | A portion of an existing recording reused within a new track. |
| Loop | A short musical phrase repeated continuously. |
| Drop | In EDM, the high-energy section that erupts after a build-up. |
| Outro | The closing section that brings a song to an end. |
| Intro | The opening section that sets up a song. |
| Breakdown | A section where instruments thin out to build tension. |
| Build-up | A rising section that heightens energy toward a climax. |
| A Cappella | Singing with voices alone, without instrumental accompaniment. |
| Falsetto | A light, airy vocal register that reaches above the normal range. |
| Vibrato | A technique that adds a gentle, wavering pulse to a sustained note. |
| Riff | A short, repeated instrumental phrase, often on guitar. |
| Cover | A new performance or recording of a song by a different artist. |
| Remix | A reworked version of an original track with a new arrangement. |
| Acoustic | A version played on non-electronic instruments. |
| Live | A recording or performance captured in front of an audience. |
| Feature (ft.) | A guest appearance by another artist on a track. |
| Album | A full-length release collecting multiple songs. |
| EP | A mini-album, typically holding four to six tracks. |
| Single | A release featuring just one or two songs. |
| Track | An individual song on an album. |
| Streaming | Playing music online without downloading the file. |
| Playlist | A curated collection of songs arranged for playback. |
Learn Korean Idioms Through Music
ONGO helps you learn Korean idioms enjoyably through music.
Browse Tracks