Beat
The steady pulse in music.
definitions
Music words in plain language.
These are the terms students will see in Music Kits. Learn the name after you have played, heard, or seen the idea.
Rhythm
When notes or sounds happen.
Tempo
How fast or slow the beat moves.
BPM
Beats per minute. A number that measures tempo.
Note
One musical sound with a pitch.
Pitch
How high or low a note sounds.
Pattern
A group of notes or sounds arranged in an order that can repeat.
Middle C
A useful C near the middle of a keyboard and a common starting point for beginner playing.
C major
A key made from the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.
Key
A physical key you press on a keyboard. In music theory, key can also mean the group of notes and chords a piece is built around.
MIDI
Information about a musical performance, such as which note was played and when it happened.
MIDI controller
A physical interface such as a keyboard or pad controller that sends MIDI information.
Pad
A touch-sensitive control used to trigger a sound, sample, note, or other musical event.
Virtual instrument
A digital instrument sound, such as piano, synth, bass, strings, or drums.
Bassline
A low musical part that helps support the rhythm and harmony.
Duration
How long a note or sound lasts.
Bar
A group of beats organized by the time signature.
MIDI clip
A group of recorded MIDI notes stored together in the digital studio.
Variation
Changing part of a musical idea while keeping something familiar.
Piano roll
The on-screen view that shows recorded MIDI notes, where they happened, and how long they lasted.
Recording
Capturing a musical performance or sound so it can be played back, edited, arranged, or used in a composition.
BandLab Classroom
The BandLab for Education space where Music Kit Assignments are organized.
BandLab Assignment
BandLab’s name for the ready-made music project that matches a Music Kit.
Studio
The BandLab editor where students play, record, listen, edit, and save their Assignment.