DictionaryregistrationTonal selection
noun

registration

The choice of tonal range or quality in music or speech.

The organist changes the registration to give the melody a brighter tone.

Etymology

Registration belongs to the musical use of register for a group or range of tones. It names the selection or arrangement of such tonal resources.

More examples

  • A softer registration keeps the organ from overpowering the choir.
  • The teacher helps singers adjust their vocal registration across the scale.
  • Different registrations give the same organ passage very different colors.

Forms

registration · registrations

register noun — A range of tones sharing a quality.

Similar words

register
Names a tonal range rather than the choice of tones.
timbre
Describes sound quality itself rather than how tones are selected.