A FEW WORDS BEYOND THE BEAT

Music is a language of its own, but it has words: 12 terms explained

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As with any other complex art or science, music generates its own lexicon, full of technical terms that describe the speed, the color, the intention, and a million more things that make music what it is.

Delving into the origins and meanings of terms like legato, opus, baritone, and more, reveals a fascinating journey through time and across continents. These terms, often rooted in ancient languages or musical traditions, carry narratives that unveil the intricate layers of musical expression.

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One of a handful of words in this list that is much heard within the classical music realm, allegro originates from the Italian language. It serves as a dynamic descriptor for a brisk and lively tempo.

Derived from the Latin word alacer, meaning lively or quick, allegro encapsulates the essence of energetic movement within musical compositions. Often indicated at the beginning of a piece or a specific section, it instructs performers to approach the music in a lively and swift manner.

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Another term rooted in Italian, a cappella embodies a musical style where vocal harmonies take center stage without instrumental accompaniment. Its origins trace back to the Italian phrase alla cappella translating to "in the style of the chapel".

This term emerged during the Renaissance era when vocal music, predominantly sacred, was performed in chapels without instrumental support. Nowadays, this style transcends genres, embracing everything from classical compositions to contemporary pop arrangements.

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Italians have done a lot for music and it shows in the lexicon. The Italian term arpeggio comes from arpeggiare, meaning "to play on a harp." It describes a musical technique where notes within a chord are played sequentially rather than simultaneously.

Originating from the harp's characteristic practice of sounding individual strings in succession to create a chord, the term extends beyond harp music to serve various instruments and genres. It involves the fluid and distinct articulation of each note within a chord, producing a cascading effect that adds depth, resonance, and a sense of harmonic richness to musical passages.

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Let us leave Italians aside—only for a moment—and focus here on a Greek word instead: canon originates from kanōn, meaning "rule" or "law." It defines a compositional technique where a melody or musical line is imitated and repeated by different voices or instruments with precise temporal offsets.

This technique, prevalent in Western classical music, establishes a strict structure wherein subsequent voices echo the initial theme in a contrapuntal manner, creating layers of interwoven melodies. The most famous example of this structure is Johann Pachelbel’s famous "Canon in D."

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The term coda, stemming from the Italian word for "tail," serves as a musical element used to express the conclusion of a piece. Originating in the Baroque period, the coda is a passage where themes culminate, offering a sense of resolution to a composition.

Working as a musical punctuation, the coda provides a conclusive endpoint, whether it's a delicate fade-out or a powerful, emphatic finale.

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The Italian term crescendo means "growing." It is used to represent a gradual increase in volume, intensity, or force within a musical passage. Also originating from the Baroque era, this dynamic marking instructs musicians to amplify the sound progressively.

The crescendo indicates performers to elevate the volume gradually from a softer to a louder dynamic level. It serves as a powerful tool for shaping musical phrases, building climactic moments, and infusing compositions with a sense of anticipation, leading to a peak before resolving into subsequent musical expressions.

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The word tempo is derived from the Latin word for "time" and it serves as a foundational element in music, defining the speed or pace at which a piece is performed. Marked at the beginning of a musical score with terms like the previously mentioned allegro (fast), adagio (slow), or using metronome markings, tempo guides performers in maintaining a consistent beat throughout a piece.

To put it more simply, tempo is the heartbeat of music, influencing mood, energy, and emotional depth, allowing for a diverse range of interpretations and enhancing the expressive nature of musical performances.

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Derived from the Italian word for "texture" or "weaving," tessitura refers to the predominant range or pitch zone within which a musical piece or a specific vocal part lies. Originating from the realm of opera, this term describes not only the average range but also the most frequently used or comfortable notes for a voice or instrument throughout a composition.

For singers, understanding the tessitura is crucial as it dictates the ease or difficulty of vocal execution within a piece. Composers and arrangers consider tessitura when crafting melodies or instrumental parts, ensuring a comfortable and expressive range while shaping the overall texture and emotional depth of the music.

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One thing Johnny Cash, David Bowie, and Elvis Presley have in common is their voice type. A baritone, stemming from the Italian word baritono, denotes a male voice type with a range lying between the bass and tenor voices.

Originating from the world of opera, the baritone voice possesses a rich and versatile quality, capable of delivering both lower, resonant notes and higher, more lyrical tones. With a tessitura typically situated between the bass's depth and the tenor's height, baritones often portray a wide array of characters on stage, embodying heroes, villains, or nuanced roles within operatic performances.

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A word that brings to mind big stages and imposing men with grandiose voices, tenor originated from the Latin word tenere meaning, "to hold." The word describes a male voice type characterized by its range, typically lying between the countertenor and baritone. Think of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, or Enrico Caruso but also pop voices like Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, or Phil Collins.

Known for its versatility and lyrical qualities, the tenor voice often takes on leading roles in operas, choral works, and various other musical genres as well. With a range capable of reaching both high and moderately low notes, the tenor voice embodies a blend of strength, clarity, and emotive power.

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A German term combined from the words leit, meaning "leading," and motif, meaning "motive," leitmotif refers to a recurring musical theme or motif associated with a particular character, place, idea, or emotion in a musical composition.

Originating from the operas of Richard Wagner during the Romantic era, this technique involves the use of distinct musical phrases or themes to represent specific elements within a larger work. Each leitmotif carries symbolic significance, serving as a musical identifier that recurs throughout the composition, providing continuity and depth to the narrative.

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We end this list with one more Italian contribution to the world of music: the word legato, meaning "tied together," represents a musical technique characterized by smooth and connected notes.

Originating from the Baroque and Classical periods, this technique instructs musicians to play or sing successive notes in a flowing and seamless manner, avoiding abrupt breaks or silences between them. Marked by a curved line connecting the notes, legato allows for a continuous and lyrical expression, creating a sense of fluidity and unity within a musical phrase.

GARLAND IS NOT JUST JUDY’S LAST NAME

Seasonal Words: Christmas Edition!

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Every season has its peculiarities. Quirks, habits, colors, songs, recipes, and yes, even specific lingo. The Christmas season is no different in this regard: it is a time for family, friends, and festivities, but it's also a time for unique vocabulary that adds to the spirit of the season. From traditional terms to popular slang, here's a guide to some of the words that make Christmas special. Go ahead and read on. Perhaps you will even find yourself using one of these words next Christmas!

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The word Yuletide has become synonymous with Christmas, conjuring images of cozy fireplaces, twinkling lights, and the warmth of family gatherings. Yet, its origins lie in a pre-Christian Germanic tradition. Over time, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, the Yuletide festivities were gradually incorporated into Christmas celebrations. The pagan rituals were replaced with Christian traditions, but the word "Yule" persisted, serving as a reminder of the pre-Christian roots of the holiday.

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As with "Yuletide," nowadays, the name "Kris Kringle" is synonymous with Santa Claus, but it is believed to have originated from the German word Christkindl, which means "Christ child." In Germany, _Christkind_l was a traditional figure who brought gifts to children on Christmas Eve, represented by an angel. Over time, the name Christkindl morphed into "Kris Kringle," and its association with Santa Claus grew even stronger.

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Let us close the round of Santa Claus names with this one, the name good ole’ Santa had before being Santa. The nickname "St. Nicks" stems from the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra, Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his kindness, generosity, and devotion to children. He became the subject of many legends and stories, often depicted as secretly giving gifts to the poor and needy.

Over time, the Dutch adopted Saint Nicholas as their patron saint of children, calling him Sinterklaas (sounds similar already when pronounced out loud, doesn’t it?). When Dutch settlers arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the 17th century, they brought their Sinterklaas traditions with them. The English-speaking local folks gradually transformed Sinterklaas into Santa Claus, but the nickname "St. Nicks" persisted even to this day.

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The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming" or "arrival." In the context of Christianity, it refers to the period of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christmas. Today, Advent marks a time of preparation, reflection, and spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas in the first place. Advent is also the name of a certain type of calendar that leads up to Christmas Eve, with little gifts and knickknacks prepared in advance for each day. Pretty neat, right?

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You probably know what a Christmas carol is. Maybe you even participate in its singing. The word itself is derived from the Old French term carole, which meant a circle dance accompanied by singing. These carols were popular in medieval Europe and were often performed during religious festivals or celebrations. The songs themselves were typically simple, with repetitive melodies and easy-to-remember lyrics. Not too different from the ones sung today.

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Maybe you know this one too. It's the stuff that one of the three Wise Men gave to Jesus when he was born, right? Myrrh is a natural resin extracted from the Commiphora myrrha tree, a small, thorny shrub native to the arid regions of Arabia, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The resin is collected by making incisions in the bark of the tree, allowing the sap to harden into a fragrant, amber-colored substance.

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The word "Scrooge" stems from the character of Ebenezer Scrooge, the protagonist of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is one cold-hearted fellow who represents the negative aspects of materialism and greed.

The enduring popularity of A Christmas Carol has ensured that the word "Scrooge" remains firmly entrenched in our vocabulary. These days, the word "Scrooge" is also used in a more lighthearted way, often to playfully describe someone who is reluctant to participate in holiday festivities or who is particularly averse to gift-giving. So, if ever you hear someone referring to you in such a way, maybe it is time to cheer up and join in the holiday spirit a bit.

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Yes, you can make eggnog all year round but let’s be honest: most of us don’t really drink the stuff outside of the Christmas season.

The exact origins of eggnog remain somewhat a mystery, but its roots can be traced back to medieval Europe. During this time, a drink called posset was popular. Over time, posset evolved, with eggs being added to the recipe. By the 17th century, it was further transformed by the addition of rum or brandy. This alcoholic version of the drink was known as "eggnog," a term derived from the word "noggin," a type of wooden mug that was commonly used to serve the beverage.

Today, eggnog remains a beloved Christmas tradition, enjoyed in various forms around the world. Some prefer sipping on the classic recipe with rum or brandy, while others opt for non-alcoholic versions.

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Have you ever been kissed under the mistletoe? This plant as a symbol has been popular for many centuries. Druids, Vikings, and many more have used it for different religious purposes and uses.

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe became a popular custom in England during the Victorian era, and it has since spread to many other countries around the world.

Today, mistletoe symbolizes love, fertility, and good luck. It is often hung in homes and doorways, and the act of kissing under the mistletoe is seen as a way to bring love and happiness in the new year.

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Whilst perhaps not a Christmas word per se, "tinsel" is a term so imbued into the whole seasonal experience that it is hard not to come across it when thinking of Christmas trees and decorations.

The word itself comes from the Old French word "estincele," meaning "sparkle" or "glitter." It was made from thin strips of silver or gold, often used to adorn fabrics, garments, and religious artifacts. By the 17th century, it became common practice to decorate Christmas trees with tinsel, adding a touch of glamour and sparkle to the traditional symbol. The brilliant strands of tinsel were often draped from the branches, creating an effect that enhanced the beauty of the tree.

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Have you ever heard of this one? Wassail is a word derived from the Old English phrase "waes hael," meaning "be in good health". Sort of like "cheers". It was initially used as a merry greeting and a way to wish someone well. By the Middle Ages, the term had evolved into a drinking toast, often associated with feasting and merrymaking, particularly during the winter months.

Medieval wassail was a mix of spiced ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and sugar, and it was considered an essential part of Christmas celebrations. Today, wassail remains a Christmas tradition, though it is often served as a warm, non-alcoholic beverage, still spiced with cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

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Aside from being the last name of a famous actress, garland is the word we use for those leafy crowns hanging on doors during Christmas time. The word itself stems from the Old French guirlande, meaning "a wreath or crown." In ancient Greece and Rome, garlands were used as symbols of victory, honor, and celebration. They were often made of flowers, leaves, or vines, and were worn on the heads of athletes, warriors, and esteemed citizens.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, garlands became popular as Christmas decorations, particularly in the United States and England.

Today, garlands are a staple of Christmas traditions, adding a touch of festive cheer and symbolism to homes around the world.