Sixth Grade Vocab Word List Week 15: Music and Sound

This lesson is based on words related to music and sound. Some of the words describe certain kinds of music or groups of music makers. Others deal with qualities of sound. You will find that some of the words that have meanings that go beyond music.

When studying the definitions that follow, try to hear any sound described and to visualize how it is produced. How many people are involved? Are they playing instruments or singing or both? Is the sound produced music, language, or just noise?

1 noun a poem, often intended to be sung, that tells a story in a simple manner; a

popular song, usually romantic or sentimental, that tells a story in several verses

Related word(s): balladeer (noun) See serenade

2 adjective related to a chorus or choir; written for performance by a chorus

Related word(s): chorister (noun)

3 adjective of poetry that is a direct, often song-like express of the poet’s thoughts and

feelings; having a high, sweet singing voice

noun a lyric poem; the words of a song

Related word(s): lyrical (adjective), lyrically (adverb), lyricism (noun)

4 noun a dramatic play in which most or all of the words are sung

Related word(s): operatic (adjective)

5 adjective having a rich, full, pleasing sound; vibrating

Related word(s): resonance (noun), resonate (verb)

6 noun a repeated pattern of strong and weak beats, as in music or poetry; a

characteristic sound or motion; a natural cycle

Related word(s): rhythmic (adjective), rhythmically (adverb)

7 noun a musical piece that honors or expresses love for someone; a certain kind of

piece written for a small group of instruments

verb to sing a love song to someone

Usage note: A ballad tells a story, even a love story, but a serenade – intended to be played or sung outdoors at night – expresses love

8 adjective high-pitched and piercing

verb to utter in a piercing manner

Related word(s): shrillness (noun), shrilly (adverb)

9 noun a long piece, usually of four sections, written for an orchestra; a large

professional orchestra

Related word(s): symphonic (adjective)

10 noun the highest natural adult male voice; a person having such a voice; the general

meaning or intention of something written

adjective relating to a tenor range

Sixth Grade Vocab Assignment Week 15

In an imaginary letter to a parent or another adult, explain why your favorite musical group or your favorite type of music is worth listening to. Give several reasons to support your claim. Provide a specific example for each reason. In your answer, use 5 of this week’s words. Write at least 5 unique, complete sentences – one sentence per vocab word you choose – using the word correctly (part of speech and definition). Always use the words from the far left column – NEVER THE “RELATED” WORDS. Sentences should be more than just the word and the definition. Sentences should be unique (different from every other sentence on the page, written by you and you alone). Sentences should be written neatly. The paper should have a heading and should be neat (no folds, tears, etc.). Underline the vocab words (or circle, highlight, etc. – just call my attention to the word). Skip a line after every line you’ve written (think of it as double-spacing the whole page). This is in paragraph form.

FLASHCARDS DUE: Friday, Jan. 6

SENTENCES DUE: Monday, Jan. 9

Sixth Grade Vocab Word List Week 15: Music and Sound

This lesson is based on words related to music and sound. Some of the words describe certain kinds of music or groups of music makers. Others deal with qualities of sound. You will find that some of the words that have meanings that go beyond music.

When studying the definitions that follow, try to hear any sound described and to visualize how it is produced. How many people are involved? Are they playing instruments or singing or both? Is the sound produced music, language, or just noise?

ballad noun a poem, often intended to be sung, that tells a story in a simple manner; a

popular song, usually romantic or sentimental, that tells a story in several verses

Related word(s): balladeer (noun) See serenade

choral adjective related to a chorus or choir; written for performance by a chorus

Related word(s): chorister (noun)

lyric adjective of poetry that is a direct, often song-like express of the poet’s thoughts and

feelings; having a high, sweet singing voice

noun a lyric poem; the words of a song

Related word(s): lyrical (adjective), lyrically (adverb), lyricism (noun)

opera noun a dramatic play in which most or all of the words are sung

Related word(s): operatic (adjective)

resonant adjective having a rich, full, pleasing sound; vibrating

Related word(s): resonance (noun), resonate (verb)

rhythm noun a repeated pattern of strong and weak beats, as in music or poetry; a

characteristic sound or motion; a natural cycle

Related word(s): rhythmic (adjective), rhythmically (adverb)

serenade noun a musical piece that honors or expresses love for someone; a certain kind of

piece written for a small group of instruments

verb to sing a love song to someone

Usage note: A ballad tells a story, even a love story, but a serenade – intended to be played or sung outdoors at night – expresses love

shrill adjective high-pitched and piercing

verb to utter in a piercing manner

Related word(s): shrillness (noun), shrilly (adverb)

symphony noun a long piece, usually of four sections, written for an orchestra; a large

professional orchestra

Related word(s): symphonic (adjective)

tenor noun the highest natural adult male voice; a person having such a voice; the general

meaning or intention of something written

adjective relating to a tenor range

Sixth Grade Vocab Assignment Week 15

In an imaginary letter to a parent or another adult, explain why your favorite musical group or your favorite type of music is worth listening to. Give several reasons to support your claim. Provide a specific example for each reason. In your answer, use 5 of this week’s words. Write at least 5 unique, complete sentences – one sentence per vocab word you choose – using the word correctly (part of speech and definition). Always use the words from the far left column – NEVER THE “RELATED” WORDS. Sentences should be more than just the word and the definition. Sentences should be unique (different from every other sentence on the page, written by you and you alone). Sentences should be written neatly. The paper should have a heading and should be neat (no folds, tears, etc.). Underline the vocab words (or circle, highlight, etc. – just call my attention to the word). Skip a line after every line you’ve written (think of it as double-spacing the whole page). This is in paragraph form.

FLASHCARDS DUE: Friday, Jan. 6

SENTENCES DUE: Monday, Jan. 9