Funk - Unit Vocabulary

Term Definition
Bass Guitar 4 string, low pitched guitar
Bassline The lowest musical line of a theme or accompaniment
Break Rhythm section stops for the opening statement of an improvised solo
Call and Response A conversation between two soloists or groups.
Chord Two or more tones sounded simultaneously usually used for accompaniment
Chromatic A playing in part or full of semitones(half steps)
Close Harmonies Chords with intervals of a third or less between voices/instruments
Electric Guitar A guitar that needs amplification to make a performance quality sound
Falsetto A male voice above its normal range
Fill Notes played by the drummer or guitarist inbetween phrases
Funk Style of music with syncopated drums, heavy influenced basslines, and crisp unison hornlines
Groove A term for a melodic idea that sets a mood
High-Hat A pair stacked, mounted cymbals, played with a footpedal(sock cymbals)
Horn Section An instrumental background consisting of brass and woodwind instruments
Keyboard Any instrument which is played with piano-like button(key), usually electric powered.
Kick A term for the use of the bass drum or ensemble accent
Layering A arranging techique of playing theme 1, then adding theme 2, then adding theme 3, etc…
Lead The main voice/intrument or solo
Lead Guitar The guitar that plays the solos. Usually more melodic than chordal
Measure A defined number of beats to break a theme into smaller units
Meter The number of beats in a measure
String Section The use of a group of orchestral string instruments for main themes or accompaniment
Syncopation Accent on any part of the beat except the downbeat
Wah-Wah Guitar pedal effect used to give an open and muted sound effect