Music-Room Words

The handful of terms these notes borrow from the bandstand, in the order a musician might use them during a long evening.

Set

A block of songs played without a long break. Most music nights have two, sometimes three.

Second set

The block after the interval, usually looser and slower, when the dining is done and the room settles in to listen.

Downbeat

The first beat of a bar, the one a dancer steps on and a drummer leans into.

Verse

The part of a song that moves the story forward; the words change from one round to the next.

Chorus

The part that returns, usually with the same words each time. The easiest part to hum along to.

Bridge

A short contrasting passage, often near the end, that leads back to a final chorus.

Tempo

The speed of the music. Adagio, andante, moderato, allegretto and lento are the Italian labels sprinkled through these pages, from slow to brisk and back.

Metronome

A ticking device that keeps a steady tempo for practice. The little pyramid drawn beside each measure is one.

Standard

A song so widely played that most musicians know it without sheet music.

Coda

The closing passage of a piece. Here it is also the name of the strip of small print at the bottom of each page.