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Word painting is the musical technique of composing music that reflects the literal meaning of a song's lyrics. Example: In 'Fix You' by Coldplay, rising melodies accompany lyrics about uplift.

Modulation refers to changing from one key to another within a song. Example: 'Man in the Mirror' by Michael Jackson modulates up a key to create a lift.

A coda is a concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure. Example: 'Layla' by Derek and the Dominos ends with a piano coda.

Personification is attributing human characteristics to non-human objects or abstract ideas. Example: 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel personifies silence within the song.

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or sequence of words at the beginning of successive clauses. Example: 'With Or Without You' by U2 uses anaphora with 'See the stone…,' 'See the thorn…' in its lyrics.

A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in pop music to make a song appealing and to catch the ear of the listener. Example: The hook in 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson is instantly recognizable.

Call and response is a succession of two distinct phrases where the second phrase is heard as a direct commentary on or response to the first. Example: 'Bring the Noise' by Public Enemy uses call and response.

Dynamic contrast involves varying the volume or intensity within a song to add emotional impact. Example: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen has pronounced dynamic changes.

Dynamics in music refers to the volume of a sound or note. Example: The progression from piano to forte passages in 'Stairway to Heaven' by Led Zeppelin demonstrates use of dynamics.

A melodic motif is a recurring fragment or succession of notes that has significance and is used to establish thematic identity. Example: Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 opens with a famous melodic motif.

Cross-rhythm is a specific form of polyrhythm in which the contrasting rhythms are not just played simultaneously but are intertwined. Example: 'Graceland' by Paul Simon features cross-rhythms.

Storytelling in songwriting is when the lyrics convey a coherent narrative. Example: 'Hotel California' by Eagles tells a story through its lyrics.

Pathos is a quality of an experience in life, or a work of art, that stirs up emotions of pity, sympathy, and sorrow. Example: 'Tears in Heaven' by Eric Clapton evokes pathos.

A bridge is a contrasting section that prepares for the return of the original material section. Example: The bridge in 'Under the Bridge' by Red Hot Chili Peppers offers a thematic shift.

Falsetto is a vocal technique that allows singers to reach higher notes of their range. Example: 'Stayin' Alive' by the Bee Gees features falsetto vocals.

Narrative songwriting tells a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Example: 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' by The Decemberists tells a full narrative story.

Polyrhythm involves the simultaneous use of two or more conflicting rhythms. Example: 'The Rite of Spring' by Stravinsky employs polyrhythms.

Antithesis is the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases or clauses. Example: 'Man in the Box' by Alice in Chains uses antithesis in the lyrics.

A song archetype refers to a model or a prototype of a song structure, for example, the 12-bar blues. Example: 'Crossroads' by Robert Johnson is based on the 12-bar blues archetype.

Polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody. Example: 'God Only Knows' by The Beach Boys exhibits polyphony.

Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within sentences, phrases, or in poems. Example: 'Blank Space' by Taylor Swift uses consonance with the 's' sound.

A bridge melody is a line or passage that contrasts the main themes, often leading into a key change or new perspective within the song. Example: 'Blackbird' by The Beatles features a distinct bridge melody.

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial letter or sound in closely connected words. Example: 'She sells seashells by the seashore' is a famous tongue twister that employs alliteration.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true, but helps explain an idea. Example: 'Hound Dog' by Elvis Presley compares a complaining lover to a dog.

Counterpoint is the relationship between two or more melody lines that are played simultaneously. Example: 'God Only Knows' by The Beach Boys features intricate counterpoint.

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song. Example: ABAB pattern as seen in 'Let It Be' by The Beatles.

Imagery involves using descriptive language to create pictures in the listener's mind. Example: 'Desolation Row' by Bob Dylan is rich with visual detail.

Sampling is taking a portion of one sound recording and reusing it in a different song. Example: 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X samples '34 Ghosts IV' by Nine Inch Nails.

The verse-chorus song structure is a musical form common in popular music where the song alternates between verse and chorus. Example: 'Wonderwall' by Oasis features a clear verse-chorus structure.

Harmony is the combination of simultaneously played notes to produce chords and chord progressions with a pleasing effect. Example: 'California Dreamin'' by The Mamas & the Papas showcases harmonies.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within closely placed words. Example: 'Hear the mellow wedding bells' by Edgar Allan Poe features assonance with the 'e' sound.

Minimalism in music is characterized by an extreme sparseness and simplicity. Example: 'Electric Counterpoint' by Steve Reich is a well-known minimalist composition.

Dissonance refers to a combination of tones that sounds unstable and has a need to resolve to consonance. Example: 'A Day in the Life' by The Beatles uses dissonance for tension.

An ostinato is a motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice. Example: The repeating bassline in 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson serves as an ostinato.

A disjunct melody moves in leaps and jumps rather than in a smooth, connected manner. Example: The 'Star Spangled Banner' is known for its disjunct melody.

Syncopation involves placing emphasis on normally un-emphasized beats or using a set of rhythms that goes against the basic beat of the song. Example: 'Roxanne' by The Police uses syncopation.