Phrasing
The way a performer shapes a musical sentence by controlling dynamics, timing, and articulation to convey its structure.
Category
performance
Pronunciation
/ˈfreɪzɪŋ/
Origin
Greek (phrasis, speech)
Length
174 words · 1 min read
About Phrasing
Phrasing is to music what punctuation and inflection are to speech — it gives meaning, direction, and emotion to a sequence of notes. Good phrasing involves identifying where a musical phrase begins and ends, where its high point lies, and how to guide the listener's ear through its arc.
More performance terms
In modo di
View all performanceterms →In the manner of; perform in the style of a specified character
Con pedaleWith pedal — an instruction to use the sustain pedal on keyboard instruments
UnisonoIn unison — all performers playing or singing the same notes together as one voice
Tre cordeRelease the soft pedal, allowing hammers to strike all three strings
BowingThe technique of drawing a bow across the strings of an instrument to produce sustained sound.
Synonyms
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v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →