Music Dictionary for Kids - G

from Music Dictionary for Kids Index



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GEORGE GERSHWIN - (1898-1937) American modern era composer and pianist. Most remembered for his song, I Got Rhythm, and his work for piano and orchestra, Rhapsody in Blue. Read more...

GIOCOSO - Playful.

GLASS HARMONICA - A musical instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin. The instrument consists of a set of glass bowls mounted on a spindle, suspended above a container of water. It is played by touching a moistened finger to the rim of the rotating bowl.

GLISSANDO (GLISS.) - A slide from one pitch to another.

GLOCKENSPIEL - A member of the percussion family. The glockenspiel is similar to the xylophone, though its bars are made of steel and it plays notes that are much higher. To make a sound on the glockenspiel the player must strike a bar with a mallet. Unlike most percussion instruments, the glockenspiel produces a pitch when struck.

GONG - A member of the percussion family. A large flat metal disc that produces a sound when it is struck with a mallet.

BENNY GOODMAN - (1909-1986) An America Big Band leader and jazz clarinetist. Goodman's Carnegie Hall performance, the first by any jazz musician, is regarded as the most significant concert in jazz history.

GRANDIOSO - In a grand and noble style.

GRAND PAUSE - A brief pause for the entire ensemble, during which time is not counted.

GRAND PIANO - A piano constructed with the frame and strings extending horizontally, away from the keyboard.

GRAND STAFF - Two staves joined by a bracket. Typically, the treble clef appears on the upper staff and bass clef on the lower staff.

GRAVE - Slow, solemn.

GRAZIA - Grace.

GRAZIOSO - Graceful.

EDVARD GRIEG (1843-1907) A Norwegian Romantic Era composer. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A Minor and his music for Henrik Ibsen's stage play "Peer Gynt", which includes two of his best known works: Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King. Read more...

GROSSO - Great, large.

GUITAR (ACOUSTIC) - A musical instrument having a large sound box, a long fretted neck, and six or twelve strings. It is played by strumming or picking the strings.

GUITAR (ELECTRIC) - An electronically amplified guitar used in popular music, including rock and jazz. It is played by strumming or picking the strings.