2011 © McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Part I

Element of Sound

Music: An Appreciation, Brief7th Edition

by Roger Kamien

Session Goals

• Ask “What is Music?”

• Define “Sound”

• Dig deeper into the properties of sound

• Discuss Listening Examples and Outlines

What is Music?

• Vital part of human society

• Recorded music vs live performance

• Evaluating music performance

• What is “music” to you?

What is Sound?

• Sound is brain food

• Music is organized sound in time

• 4 properties of musical sound1. Pitch2. Dynamics3. Tone Color4. Duration

Pitch

How high or low is the sound?

• Determined by Frequency• Fast wave – high sound• slow wave – low sound

• Tone: definite pitch vs indefinite pitch

• Interval

• Range

Dynamics

How loud or soft is the sound?

• Determined by Amplitude• Changes in dynamics for interest• Accents also used for interest

• Italian terms and symbols used

pianissimo pp very soft

piano p soft

mezzo piano mp moderately soft

mezzo forte mf moderately loud

forte f loud

fortissimo ff very loud

Tone Color - Timbre

What does it sound like?

• Quality of tone• Descriptive words used to describe the sound

• Only limited by imagination• Combine instruments to make new colors• Change to created interest• Use same tones to create continuity

• Electronic techniques

Listening Examples

• Listening Outlines & Vocal Music Guides

• Connect Listening Outlines

• Suggestion

Listening

2011 © McGraw-Hill Higher Education

The Firebird, Scene 2 (1910)

by Igor Stravinsky

Brief Set: CD 1:01

Listening Outline: p. 7

Note: Tone Colors through instrumentation

Dynamic contrasts

Listening

2011 © McGraw-Hill Higher Education

C-Jam Blues (1942) by Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra

Brief set, CD 1:3Listening Outline: p. 8

Note: Tone Colors

Repeated note melody

Improvised solos

Muted brass instruments

Wrap Up and Questions

What’s Next

Continuing the Conversation

• Connect reading

• Review materials in Blackboard Learn• Tutorial, Presentation, Quiz

• Learning Community

2011 © McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Have a great day!