| balance wheel |
a wheel that regulates the movement of parts of a mechanism, as in a watch or a music box. |
| ballet |
a theatrical performance of such dance, accompanied by music and intended for entertainment. [1/4 definitions] |
| band1 |
a group formed to play music. [1/4 definitions] |
| bar1 |
a vertical line that marks the beginning or end of a measure of music, or the music between two such lines. [1/13 definitions] |
| barcarole |
a piece of music composed in the style of Venetian gondoliers' songs, with a rhythm suggesting rowing. |
| baroque |
(often cap.) of or pertaining to the style or period in art, music, and architecture prevailing in Europe following the Renaissance, from about 1550 to about 1750, characterized by bold expression of emotion and elaborate forms of ornamentation. [2/5 definitions] |
| bass1 |
the part of music designated for the voice or instrument in the lowest range of pitch, or musical tones produced in the low range. [1/5 definitions] |
| basso |
in music, one who sings bass. |
| beguine |
a dance of Martinique with a bolero rhythm, or the music for such a dance. |
| big band |
the style of music played by a big band, such as swing and jazz dance music. [1/2 definitions] |
| bluegrass |
country music of the southern United States typically played on stringed instruments and characterized by frequent improvisation. [1/2 definitions] |
| Blue Man Group |
a creative organization that provides performance-art theater in the form of a trio of blue-painted entertainers who incorporate such elements as food, odd props, rock music, and audience participation into their show. |
| bluesy |
in music, of or resembling the blues. |
| bolero |
a spirited Spanish dance, or the music for this dance. [1/2 definitions] |
| boogaloo |
a popular dance done to soul and rock 'n' roll music in the 1960s. |
| bop1 |
a form of jazz music having complex rhythms and harmonies which overlay and frequently obscure the melody. |
| bossa nova |
a musical blend of jazz and samba, or the Brazilian dance performed to such music. |
| bourrée |
the music for this dance. [1/2 definitions] |
| breve |
in music, a note equal in length to two whole notes. [1/2 definitions] |
| brilliant |
having great clarity of tone, as music. [1/5 definitions] |
| burlesque |
in the United States, a stage show that features unsophisticated burlesques, popular music, and often stripteases; vaudeville show. [1/5 definitions] |