musical phrase

/ˌmjuzəkəl freɪz/

Other forms: musical phrases

Definitions of musical phrase

1. noun

   a short musical passage
   synonyms: phrase

   types:

   ligature

   (music) a group of notes connected by a slur

   ostinato

   a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition

   ground bass

   a short melody in the bass that is constantly repeated

   riff

   a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation

   type of:

   musical passage, passage

   a short section of a musical composition