Music Dictionary for Kids - H

from Music Dictionary for Kids Index



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HALF STEP - The smallest, most dissonant interval in Western tonal music. For example, c-c#; e-f; f#-g.

HALF NOTE - A note half the length of a whole note. For example, in 4/4 meter a half note receives two beats of sound.

HALF REST - A rest half the length of a whole rest. For example, in 4/4 meter a half rest receives two beats of silence.

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL - (1685-1759) A German Baroque Era composer. Handel is one of the most popular composers of the Baroque era. His works include Water Music and Messiah. Read more...

HARMONY - The sounding of two or more notes at the same time. In the music of ancient Greece the term was used to define the combination of a lower and higher note.

HARMONICA - A wind instrument played by blowing air in or drawing air out of the reed chambers to cause reeds to vibrate.

HARMONIUM - A keyboard instrument that is similar to a small organ. To make a sound on the harmonium the performer uses foot pedals to pump air through metal reeds.

HARP - A member of the string family. Harps have a neck, a resonator, and strings. Its strings may be plucked or strummed.

HARPSICHORD - A keyboard instrument that was extremely popular during the Baroque Era. To make a sound on the harpsichord, the player strikes a key which plucks a string with a quill.

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN - (1732-1809) An Austrian Classical Era composer. Haydn is considered to be one of the greatest composers of the classical era. He is referred to as the "Father of the String Quartet" and the "Father of the Symphony". Read more...

HORNPIPE - A dance that began around the 16th century on British sailing ships. The dance movements were those familiar to sailors of that time, such as "looking out to sea" with the right hand to the forehead, and then the left. The best known example is the Sailors' Hornpipe.

HYMN - A song written for praise and worship to Jesus Christ. Hymns are written in four-part harmony, though today's congregations typically sing only the melody.