GLOSSARY A13
vamp. A short section of music meant to be repeated
until a fresh musical statement is ready to be
introduced.
variations. See theme and variations.
vaudeville. Variety stage entertainment of the late
1800s and early 1900s presenting a succession of
short acts.
vaudeville blues. A style of 1920s blues performance
with female vocal soloists accompanied by either
piano or small jazz-style ensemble.
verse and chorus. A song structure in which verses
alternate with a repeated chorus.
verse. The section of a verse-and-chorus song that
repeats with new words each time.
vibrato. A minute, rapid variation of pitch, used to
lend expressivity to singing and playing.
vocable. A nonsemantic syllable used in singing.
walkaround. A section of a minstrel show in which
performers cavorted in what was taken to be the
manner of Southern plantation hands.
walking bass. In jazz and popular music, a bass line
with a note played fi rmly on each beat of the bar in
four-beat duple meter.Wall of Sound. The thick instrumental texture asso-
ciated with 1960s popular recordings produced by
Phil Spector.
waltz. 1. A couple dance in triple meter. 2. A favorite
form of instrumental dance music in the 1800s and
1900s. 3. A favored gait for popular songs in the
early days of Tin Pan Alley (from the 1880s through
the 1910s).
western swing. A type of music originating in the
Southwest combining country, jazz, and other
styles.
whammy bar. A device that alters an electric guitar’s
string tension to create exaggerated vibrato and
other pitch effects.
whole step. The interval equal to two half steps.
work song. A song that helps workers fulfi ll their tasks
by pacing their activity, coordinating their move-
ments, and rallying their spirits.
zydeco. Music of rural French-speaking black Louisi-
anans, or Creoles, that combines Cajun music with
African and Caribbean infl uences.172028_99a_A1-A13_GLO_r1_ka.indd A13 23/01/13 11:22 AM