Syllabus Quiz 1. T or F A student should not have an

understanding of composers and compositions at the end of the term.

2. T or F 90% of your grade is test scores.

3. How will acts of dishonest be handled?

4. There are 3 course requirements which one of these is not a requirement:

1. Take good class notes. 2. Attend and participate in class. 3. Bring a laptop. 4. Complete assignments/exams as scheduled.

UNIT 1: ELEMENTSSound: Pitch, Dynamics, and Tone Color

Overview Development of Sound

1. Begins with the vibration of an object. 2. Vibrations are transmitted to our ears by a medium. 3. Eardrums vibrate and impulses are sent to the brain. 4. Brain organizes and interprets.

Sounds surround us Listening to others

Tells us how others think and feel. Sound can be pleasant or unpleasant Humans shut out most sounds

John Cage (1912-1992) composition 4’33” Silence

Absence of sound is just as important as sound Musical Sounds- 4 properties

Pitch, Dynamics, Tone Color and Duration

Pitch

Pitch: Highness or Lowness of Sound Determined by the frequency of vibrations.

Measured in Hertz Faster = higher Slower = lower Length/size of instruments is also an influence

Tone: A sound with a definite pitch. Specific frequency = B Flat Irregular frequency = Cymbals or Concert

Bass Drum

Pitch - continued Interval: Distance between two pitches

Octave: C – C “Star Spangled Banner” First and last tones of a scale Pg. 5 piano chart/Solfege

Scale: collection of 7 pitches Basis in western civilization for centuries 5 pitches added later (black keys)

Pitch - continued

Pitch range/range: distance between the lowest and highest tones that a voice or instrument can produce. Average range of human voice is 1 to 2

octaves Men and women singing the same melody

usually sing an octave apart Piano range – 7 octaves

Pitch Review

video

Dynamics

Dynamics: degree of loudness or softness in music. Related to the amplitude of the vibration

created. How hard a string is plucked or how fast air is

pushed.

Dynamic changes can occur suddenly or gradually. Can create excitement or affect the mood Written in the music or just expressed by

musician Notation is not always precise

Emphasis of a certain tone: accent

Dynamics - continued

Notation:

Tone Color

Tone Color or Timbre: Quality of Sound Described as bright, dark, brilliant, mellow

and rich. Changes in tone create contrast.

Created by: passing melody between instruments, varying the number of instruments used, electrical influences, or adaptation to traditional instruments.

Listening Outlines, Vocal Music Guides, and the Properties of Sound

Difficult to apply terms without actually listening.

Listening outline: Describes musical sound

Vocal Music Guide Relationship between words and music

Look at guides before listening!!!

Lohengrin, Prelude to Act III (1848)by Richard Wagner

Genre: Opera Musical Characteristics: dynamic

contrast through layering of instrumentation

Instruments: vocals, flute, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, tuba, timpani, triangle, cymbal, tambourine, violin, viola, cello, and bass.

Emotions: Exultation Story Line: setting the scene of the

wedding of the hero and heroine

Prelude in C Minor for Piano, Op. 28 No. 20 (1839) “Funeral March”by Frederic Chopin

Genre: Sonata Musical Characteristics: dynamic

contrast created by a single instrument, chordal

Instruments: piano Emotions: emotional progression,

sadness

The Firebird, Scene 2 (1910)by Igor Stravinsky

Genre: Ballet Musical Characteristics: repeats one

melody over and over, dynamics increase in volume then a sudden drop

Instruments: Piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, French horn, trumpets, tuba, timpani, cymbals, bass drum, harps, violin, viola, cello, bass.

Story Line: hero triumphs and is introduced to a princess

C-Jam Blues (1942) by Duke Ellington

Genre: Blues Musical Characteristics: solos

improvised by players- heard alone and then with accompaniment, mutes are used, full band not heard until the end

Instruments: Piano, violin, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, guitar, bass, percussion.

REVIEW YOUR

NOTES NOW

FIVE MINUTES!!!!

On a separate piece of paper answer the following questions:

1. What are Dynamics? 2. What is Tone Color? 3. What are the 4 properties of

musical sounds? 4. What is range? 5. Vibrations are measured in?