The Complete Idiot's Guide Music Dictionary

C

C Pitch name for the first step of a C-Major scale. First white key in a C-Major scale on the piano keyboard.

C86 A cassette compilation released in 1986, of new bands from independent labels, released by the British magazine New Music Express.

cacophony The use of a meaningless, harsh mixture of chords or sounds such as cars honking, hoots, whistles, and screams.

cadence A progression of two chords or a rhythmic pattern used to create a sense of finality at the end of a phrase, section, or composition.

cadenza A technically virtuosic passage inserted at the end of a composition to give the performer a chance to show off his or her mastery of the instrument.

Cage, John (1912-1992) Leading American composer of post-World War II avant-garde ...