Drums
This small tool is used to tune drums, change drum heads, and sometimes even adjust cymbal stands.
Drum Key
These magnets under the strings are what take in the sound and send it to the amplifier. If there's more than one, you can switch between them using a selector on the body of the guitar.
Pickups
This pedal allows notes to continue to ring out even after releasing the keys.
Sustain Pedal
The main vocal part of any song is referred to as the "melody", but oftentimes this will be supported by a secondary part called the "_____".
Harmony
This term refers to the change in loudness over specific notes or entire phrases.
Dynamics
This sticking pattern is performed by playing a single stroke followed by a double stroke. "RLRR LRLL"
Paradiddle
This simple chord, also known as a "5 chord", combines a note with its perfect fifth on the next string, found 2-3 frets up the neck. It can also include the octave.
Example:
A5
D--7--
A--7--
E--5--
Power Chord
What we call the note that sits at the middle of any keyboard.
Middle C
On a longer note, a singer might change the pitch gradually up and down to add depth. This is called _____.
Vibrato
The distance between any two notes. Common examples include a major third or a perfect fifth.
Interval
Notes with this symbol ">" are supposed to be played louder than the others. What is this symbol called?
Accent
This technique involves pushing on the strings with the side of your picking hand to create a muted sound.
Palm Muting
Triad
This term refers to the entire span of notes a singer is capable of comfortably singing.
Range
These important numbers are found at the beginning of any sheet music; or if you're playing a Rush or Tool song, all over the sheet music! They tell you how many notes are in each measure and how to count them. Common examples include 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8.
Time Signature
In most rock songs the rhythm is even and straight; but some songs, especially in blues, are played in triplets where the first note is longer than the second. What is this rhythm called?
Shuffle/Swing
By lightly touching a string at specific places on the neck, you can produce different high pitch notes. What are these called?
Harmonics
This specific staff is most commonly used for piano, as it has both a treble clef and a bass clef stacked on top of each other.
Grand Staff
The highest possible singing voice for men is typically a tenor. For women, it's ____.
Soprano
While drummers may not have "scales", they practice different series of stickings called ____. Common examples include the single stroke roll, double stroke roll, and paradiddles.
Rudiments
The jazz drummers of old typically held their stick sideways in the left hand, with their right stick held forward. This is called traditional grip. Rock drummers typically hold both sticks the same as the right. What is this grip called?
Matched Grip
In order to keep the neck straight and maintain the "action" on a guitar, a luthier (a guitar repairman) might adjust this metal rod going down the middle of the neck. You can usually adjust this at the headstock.
Truss Rod
Pianos and larger keyboards typically have weighted keys also known as "hammer action", but smaller keyboards have lighter keys better designed for playing solos. This is called "_____ action".
Synth
When using a microphone, you use this type of cable to plug it in. Its name is 3 letters.
XLR Cable
This term refers to having more than one melody playing at the same time. In the case of keyboards, it can also refer to how many notes a keyboard can produce at one time.
Polyphony