Every term that trips up a beginner, explained in plain English — from BPM and EQ to MIDI, reverb and the circle of fifths.
The notes of a chord played one after another rather than all at once.
A device that connects mics and instruments to your computer with quality sound.
A small, equal segment of music containing a set number of beats.
A chord where one finger presses several strings across a fret at once.
The steady underlying pulse of music — what you tap your foot to.
How precisely each audio sample is measured, affecting dynamic range and noise.
The tempo of a piece of music — how many beats occur in one minute.
A contrasting section that breaks up a song before its final chorus.
A chord sequence at the end of a phrase that gives a sense of resolution or pause.
A clamp on a guitar neck that raises the pitch of all the strings at once.
Three or more notes played together to create harmony.
A sequence of chords played in order that forms the harmonic backbone of a song.
The repeated, high-energy section that carries a song's main message and hook.
A metronome played in your headphones while recording to keep everyone in time.
The harsh distortion that happens when a signal exceeds its maximum level.
An effect that reduces the dynamic range, evening out loud and quiet parts.
A sensitive, detailed mic needing phantom power, favoured for studio recording.
The software you use to record, edit, arrange and mix music on a computer.
An effect that repeats a sound after a set time, creating echoes.
An effect that deliberately overdrives a signal for a gritty, aggressive tone.
A rugged, less sensitive mic ideal for loud sources and live performance.
The difference between the quietest and loudest parts of a sound or recording.
A control that shapes how a sound changes in level over the course of a note.
Adjusting the balance of frequencies — boosting or cutting bass, mids and treble.
A tool that removes or emphasises certain frequencies to shape a sound's tone.
Plucking strings individually with the fingers rather than strumming with a pick.
The metal strips along a guitar neck that set each note's pitch.
How much an input signal is amplified before it is recorded or processed.
A continuous slide in pitch from one note to another.
The feel and rhythmic pocket of music that makes it move and flow.
Two or more notes sounding together to support and colour the melody.
The safety margin between your normal signal level and the point of distortion.
The catchiest part of a song, designed to grab and stick in the listener's memory.
The distance in pitch between two notes.
The set of notes a piece of music is based around, defining its tonal home.
The short delay between making a sound and hearing it back through your system.
A slow, inaudible wave used to automatically modulate another parameter.
A short melodic phrase, usually improvised, used within a solo or melody.
A type of compressor that prevents a signal from ever exceeding a set ceiling.
A short section of audio or MIDI repeated seamlessly to build a part.
The two main tonalities — major tends to sound bright, minor darker.
The final polishing stage that prepares a mix for release across all platforms.
The main sequence of single notes you hum — the memorable tune of a song.
A device or app that keeps a steady beat to help you practise in time.
A protocol that sends performance data (notes, timing) rather than audio itself.
Balancing and shaping all the recorded tracks into one cohesive stereo recording.
Sound on a single channel, identical from left and right with no width.
A single musical sound of a specific pitch and duration.
The distance between one note and the next note of the same name, higher or lower.
The part of a synth that generates the raw waveform and basic pitch of a sound.
A milder, warmer form of distortion that emulates a pushed amplifier.
Placing a sound to the left or right within the stereo field.
A five-note scale that sounds good over many chords, popular with beginners.
Power sent through a mic cable to run condenser microphones, labelled +48V.
The component on an electric guitar or bass that converts string vibration into a signal.
How high or low a sound is, determined by its frequency.
The shape that describes which directions a microphone picks up sound from.
A simple, strong two-note chord that is the foundation of rock and punk guitar.
Snapping recorded notes to the timing grid to tighten up the rhythm.
The effect that simulates sound reflecting in a space, adding depth and ambience.
The pattern of sounds and silences in time — how music is organised over the beat.
A short, repeated, catchy musical phrase that anchors a song.
A snippet of existing recorded sound reused as an element in a new track.
How many times per second digital audio is measured, affecting fidelity.
An ordered sequence of notes that forms the building blocks of melodies and chords.
A tool that records, arranges and plays back musical events in order.
A mixed-down audio file of one group of elements, like all the drums.
Sound using two channels, left and right, to create width and space.
Sweeping across the strings to sound a chord, the rhythmic heart of guitar playing.
Speakers designed for an accurate, uncoloured sound to mix music on.
How long a note continues to sound after it is played.
Placing accents on the off-beats to create rhythmic surprise and groove.
An electronic instrument that creates sound by generating and shaping waveforms.
A simple notation showing which strings and frets to play, not standard notes.
The speed of a piece of music, usually measured in BPM.
Two stacked numbers that tell you how beats are grouped in each bar.
Moving a piece of music up or down to a different key or pitch.
The storytelling section of a song that sets up the chorus, with changing lyrics.
A small, regular wavering of pitch that adds warmth and expression to a note.
Software instruments and effects that run inside a DAW to expand its sounds.
The rugged three-pin cable and connector standard used for microphones.
Reading only gets you so far. Get 1-on-1 coaching and consulting from real 432 musicians — over video, on your instrument, around your goals. We match you with the right mentor and build a plan that actually moves you forward.