Chapter 9 Mediums of Music

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THE MEDIUMS

OF

MUSIC


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Music is an art that deals with sound. In literature,however, all sounds are produced by the humanvoice. In music, the human voice is but one numberof possible instruments.

A musical instrument is a mechanism that is ableto generate musical vibrations and launch theminto the air. These various musical instruments arethe means in which the composer communicates to

the listener; they are his mediums of expression.


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PROPERTIES OF MUSICAL SOUND

1. PITCH

The location of a tone in the musical scalein relation to high or low. It is determined by the rate

of vibration which to a large extent depends on thelength of the vibrating body. Other conditions beingequal, the shorter a string or column of air, the morerapidly it vibrates and the higher the pitch the longerthe string or column of air, the fewer the vibrationsper second and the lower the pitch. The width,thickness, density, and tension of the vibrating bodyalso affect the outcome.


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2. DURATIONThis property of sound depends on thelength of time over which vibration is maintained.Tones are not only high or low but also short andlong.3. VOLUME

The term refers to the force or percussiveeffects as a result of which the tone strikes us asbeing loud or soft. Forte means loud; piano meanssoft.


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4. TIMBRE OF TONE COLOR

This is the individual quality of sound produced byother instruments. This depends on how the instrumentaccentuates the over tones within the sound waves. Itis influenced by a number of factors such as the size,shape, and the proportions of the instrument, thematerial which it is made, and the manner in which thevibration is set up.


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RANGE

The range of an instrument has to do with the totalnumber of tones it can produce from highest tolowest, and is determined largely by the size of theinstrument. The total pitch range is divided into fourbasic areas: soprano (high female), alto (low female),tenor (high male), bass (low male). Each range is

divided into three registers; high, middle, and low.


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VOCAL MEDIUM

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS


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Vocal Medium

The oldest and still most popular of all

instruments is the human voice. It is the most

personal and direct of all instruments as it comesfrom within the body . The song projected by the

human voice is the most natural form of music.


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PILITA CORALES

Entertainer of the Year and Asias Queen of Song


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Vocal Register

Voices differ considerably in range and register.The Six Classes of Vocal Register

1.Soprano - high register female voice

2.Mezzo-soprano - medium-register female

voice

3.Alto or Contralto - low-register female voice4.Tenor - high-register male voice

5.Baritone - medium-register male voice

6.Bass - low-register male voice


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Vocal Qualities Voices are also classified according to their timbre or quality ofsound . Thus, we distinguished lyric and dramatic.

1. Coloratura Soprano Is the highest and lightest of all voices. The music written

for this is full of runs, thrills, and light ornaments.

2. Lyric Soprano Voice is less high and flute-like and usually sings lessornamental music. The voice is specially suited to sweet song-like melodies in which beauty of tone is the predominant quality.3. Dramatic Soprano

Voice is heavier and can convey intense emotions indramatic situations.4. Mezzo-Soprano

Voice is between the soprano and contralto in quality

and range.


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5. Contralto Voice is low and rich in quality.

6. Tenor The highest type in mens voice. 7. Lyric Tenor

Has a voice specially suited to sweet

songlike melodies8. Dramatic Tenor

Has a heavier voice and is capable ofconveying intense emotions in dramatic situations9. Baritone

Voice has a range between tenor and bass. 10. Bass

Voice has the lowest and deepest quality.


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Musical Instrument

Musical instrument are of three main types: theinstrument which are bowed , instrument whichare blown , the instruments which are struck .These in turn are divided into four groupings.The instrument which are bowed are the strings .Those which are blown fall into two groups: thebrasses , so called because they are usually

made of brass and the woodwinds , so namedbecause they were originally made of wood. Thefourth group is made up of instruments whichare struck. They are called percussion

instruments.


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String instruments

String instruments, also called stringed

instruments, provide the basic orchestral sounds.

They produce toned by means of vibration of a

stretched string.

Two types of string instrument:

1. Bowed strings

2. Plucked strings


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Bowed StringsThese instruments produce tone by

means of bow or horse hair drawn

across the strings, which include the

violin, viola, violoncello and doublebass are the mediums of music that

can express the most poignant feeling

and can continue playing infinitely

without fatigue. These have four strings

which are made to vibrate by drawing a
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Three_bow_frogs.jpg


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ViolinThe violin is the highest

member of the string section of

the orchestra. It is universally

admired for its voice-like quality.Preeminent in lyric melody, it is

also capable of brilliance and

dramatic effect. It has a wide range of tones which

can be sustained indefinitely. It can be played very

quietly or loudly, very slowly or extremely fast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Batchelder_violin.jpg


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VIOLA

The viola is slightly larger thanthe violin. Its strings are longer,

thicker, and heavier; it is lower in

range. It is use more for harmony

than melody. It, however, is an

effective melody instrument,particularly for themes of a

mournful or passionate nature
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bratsche.jpg


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VioloncelloThe violoncello , properly knownas cello , is much longer than the

viola. It is lower in range than theviola and the strings are thickerand heavier than those of theviola. The bow is shorter andheavier and the instrument has tobe held between the knee of aseated performer. It is notable for its rich and romantic tone.If the violin is the soprano of the stringsection and the viola is the alto, the cello isthe tenor. Together with the basses, the

cellos supply the foundation for the harmonyof the strin choir.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AGK_bass1_full.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AGK_bass1_full.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AGK_bass1_full.jpg


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Double Bass(Contrabass)The double bass , known also asthe contrabass, is the largestmember of the strings family. It

rest upon the floor, and theperformer stands to play it . It isthe lowest range of the stringgroup. Its deep indistinct tones

come into focus when they areduplicated on octave higher,usually by the cello. It is mostoften used as a support,supplying the bass tones for the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AGK_bass1_full.jpg


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Plucked StringsAlthough instruments of the bowed strings class

can produce tone by plucking the strings

(pizzicato ), the plucked string produce tone solelyby this means. The player plucks the strings either

with his fingers or with a plectrum held in his hand.


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GuitarThe guitar family seems to be themost popular stringed instrumenttoday. It varies considerably inshape, and in the number of itsstrings, but basically, it consist of afinger board with frets (narrowmetal across strips), attached tolight wooden body with flat topback. It is seldom used in

orchestra but is nowadays a partof jazz bands.This instrument associated mostly with dance bandinstrumentation and popularly used as an instrumentto accompany the singing of folk songs as well as

popular song.


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The string instruments are pre-eminent in playing

legato ( smooth and connected). They are capable

too of the opposite quality of tone, staccato ( short

and detached). A special effect, pizzicato (plucked),

is executed by the performers plucking the stringwith his finger instead of using the bow.

The string section in the orchestra has come to be

known as The heart of orchestra . The string figure

prominently as solo instruments and in chamber

music; in duets, trios, quartets, quintets, and the like.


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Some special effects possible on each of the

string instrument s are:

Spiccato

Playing with short, crisp strokes of the bow.

Saltallato

Bouncing the bow on the strings to produce light,

detached tones.

Martellato

Hammering the bow quiver on the string making

each note separate and emphatic.


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Tremolo

Making the bow quiver on the string to produce

shimmering effect.

Vibrato

Denotes the rich, throbbing tones achieved when

the player moves his finger slightly away from the

back to the required spot.

Glissando

The player moves a finger of his left hand rapidly

along the string, sounding all the pitches in the scale.


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The Woodwind Instruments

The woodwind instruments consist of members offour different families: flute and piccolo, oboe andEnglish horn, clarinet and bass clarinet, andbassoon and contrabassoon. These instrument are

blown by the player. The player alters the pitch of thenotes by shortening or lengthening the column of airvibrating inside the instrument. They are the mostdecorative instrument and because they are sodifferent in timbre, they contribute the greatestvariety in ensemble. Besides being prominent inorchestra, the woodwinds possess a solo literatureand are widely used in chamber music.


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Flute The flute is a cylindrical tube made

of silver alloy or metal. It is the

coloratura soprano of the woodwind

choir. Its sound is silvery or liquid. Itcan play rapid, brilliant scale

passages. Its tone is cool and

velvety in the low register but in its

upper register, the sound is bright,

thin and stands out against the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shinobue_and_other_flutes.jpg


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Piccolo The piccolo, which is the

smaller flute, produces the

highest notes in theorchestra. Tones produced

are piercing and shrill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piccolo.jpg


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Oboe The oboe is made of wood. The

body is tube which get wider at theend. The double reed in the mouthpiece consist of two slips of cane soshaped as to leave between them

an extremely small passages for air.Because of this compression, thetone is focused and intense in allregisters. Oboe timbre is generallydescribed as plaintive, nasal. Andreedy. The instrument is associatedwith pastoral effects and withnostalgic melodies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oboe_modern.jpg


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English Horn The English horn is a large oboe. The

oboe and the English horn look very

much alike except that English horn

is wider and longer and ends with apear shaped bell, which accounts for

its soft, somewhat mournful timbre.

Its range is slightly lower than that of

the oboe and its sound is richer and

more plaintive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:English_Horn_picture.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:English_Horn_picture.jpg


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Clarinet The clarinet is the instrument thatoften takes the part of the violin inband music. It has a single reed,a small elastic piece of canefastened against its chisel-shapedmouth piece. It has remarkablywide range--from low to high andfrom soft to loud and producesthree distinct tone colors: (1) in its

upper range, the sound clear andpowerful; (2) in its middle register, the sound is smooth or relaxed;(3) in its lower register, the tones

are rich and hollow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clarinet.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FoxBassoon.jpg


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Bassoon The bassoon and

contrabassoon are the tenorand bass, respectively, of theoboe family. The bassoon isone of the most flexible anduseful of the bass instrument.Its tone is weighty and thick inthe low register, dry andsonorous in the middle, reedyand intense in the upper.It is capable of a hollow-sounding staccato and wide leaps that create a humorous effect; it is at the same time highly expansive instrument.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FoxBassoon.jpg


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Contrabassoon

The contrabassoon , also knownas the double bassoon or

double-bassoon , is a larger

version of the bassoon, sounding

an octave lower. Its technique is

similar to its smaller cousin, with a few notable differences.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Contrabassoon2.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Contrabassoon2.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saxophone_alto.jpg


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Saxophone

The saxophone . This wind

instrument

has a single reed that combines the

reed mouthpiece of a clarinet with a

curved conical metal tube. It blends

well with either woodwind or brass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saxophone_alto.jpg


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The Brasses

The brasses are consist of the trumpet, horn

trombone, and tuba. They are indispensable for

their ability to play very loudly, for melody, for

sustaining harmony, for rhythmic accent, and for

flame like sonority they contribute to the climax.

Thee instrument have cut-shaped mouthpieces(except for the horn, whose mouthpiece is shaped

like funnel).

Trumpet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trumpet_1.jpg


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Trumpet The trumpet posses a firm and

brilliant timbre that lends radian ceto the orchestral mass. Becaus e of

its military history, it is often

associated with martial pomp a nd

vigor or battle calls.Played softly, the instrument commands a lovely

round tone. The muted sound, which is made by

inserting the mute, a pear-shaped like device of

metal or cardboard in the bell, is much used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trumpet_1.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trumpet_1.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trumpet_1.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trumpet_1.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:French_horn_front.png


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Horn or French Horn The horn , generally called the

French horn, normally has asmooth, mellow tone, but can bemade to sound very brassy. Thetimbre of the horn blends equally

well with woodwinds, brass, andstrings, for which reason it servesas the connecting link among them .The horn has the ability to projectsounds across great distances.The horn is versatile instrument; as a soloinstrument, it is very satisfactory because it has awide range and can be loud or soft, lyrical ordramatic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:French_horn_front.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:French_horn_front.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tenor_slide_trombone_3D_model.jpg


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Trombone The trombone the Italian word

means large instrument re of

two kinds: tenor and bass. The

two are alike in construction but

the bass trombone has a lower

range. The trombones tone is

rich and mellow.It can play softly, but it is more often

achieved effect of nobility and grandeur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tenor_slide_trombone_3D_model.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Two_F_tubas.jpg


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Tuba The tuba is the bass of the

brass choir. Like the

strings bass and

contrabassoon, it furnishesthe foundation for the

harmonic fabric. Its sound

is rather like the bass

trombone, but fuller, richer,

and more powerful.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Two_F_tubas.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cornet-Bb-large.jpg


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Cornet The cornet is a brass-wind musical

instrument of the trumpet family,

consisting of a long looped tube, 9

feet long. It is used in orchestras,bands, and brass bands. This

instrument is larger than the trumpet.

It ha a shorter body and possesses

greater agility. The tone is rounder

but less brilliant then that of the
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cornet-Bb-large.jpg


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D fi it Pit h


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Kettledrums Kettledrums or timpani arepercussion instruments ofdefinite pitch, which are used insets of two or three. Thekettledrum is hemisphere coppershell, across which is a stretchedhead of calfskin held in place bytwo metal ring. The instrument isplayed with two padded sticks,which may either be soft or hard.Its dynamic range extends from a

mysterious rumble to athunderous roll.

Definite Pitch


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Glockenspiel

The glockenspiel (German fora set of bells) consist of

series of horizontal tuned

plates of various size, made

of steel. The player strikes

these with mallets, producingbright metallic sounds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glockenspiel.jpg


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Xylophone The xylophone consist of

tuned blocks of wood which

produce a dry, crisp timbre

when struck. Expert

xylophone players attain

dazzling speed and

accuracy.


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Marimba The marimba, a xylophone

of African a and South

American origin, is

associated with dance

music. It is simply a

xylophone with a resonator.

Small tubes suspended

under the wooden bass

resonate the sound of the

I d fi it Pit h
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marimba-Antonko-AMC12.jpg


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Indefinite PitchCymbals are a commonpercussion instrument. Cymbalsconsist of thin, normally roundplates of various alloys. Thegreater majority of cymbals are ofindefinite pitch, although smalldisc-shaped cymbals based onancient designs sound a definitenote. (Cymbals are used in many

ensembles ranging from theorchestra, percussion ensembles, jazz bands, heavy metal bands,and marching groups. Drum kits

usually incorporate a crash, ride or

Gongs


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Gongs Gongs are broadly of three types.Suspended gongs are more or lessflat, circular discs of metalsuspended vertically by means of acord passed through holes near tothe top rim. Bossed or nipple gongshave a raised center boss and areoften suspended and playedhorizontally. Bowl gongs are bowl-shaped, and rest on cushions andbelong more to bells than gongs.Gongs are made mainly frombronze or brass but there are many

other alloys in use


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Triangle The triangle is an idiophonetype of musical instrumentin the percussion family. Itis a bar of metal, usuallysteel but sometimes other

metals like berylliumcopper, bent into a triangleshape. The instrument isusually held by a loop of

some form of thread or wireat the top curve. It was firstmade around the 16thcentury.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_instrumenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_instrument


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Chimes

The chimes consist of set oftuned of metal tubes various

lengths attached to frame and

struck with a hammer. They have

a broad dynamic range, from a

metallic tinkle to a sonorousclang, and are frequently called

upon to simulate church bells.


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Harp The harp is said to be one of the

oldest musical instruments. Itsearliest form appeared in theBabylonian inscriptions severalthousand years ago. This instrumentis almost extinct today. It survives inthe modern orchestra, as asupporting instrument most of thetime. Its strings are played byplucking, producing a crystalline tone

that blends well with the orchestraltimbres. The pedals are used toshorten the strings, thereby rising thepitch. Chords on the harp arefrequently played in the broken form;the tones are sounded one after


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Keyboard Instruments These instruments are operated by means of a

keyboard which consist of a series of black and

white keys. When a performer depresses a key, a

tone sounds. Keyboard instrument produce tonesin a variety of ways.

Although keyboard instruments are normally

included with the percussion group, they constitute

special set which maybe considered separately.


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Piano The piano is the most popular

and most widespread of allinstrument. It is widely use inhome, in small orchestras, anddance bands. It has the abilityto sound several tonessimultaneously and has thecapacity to present complexmusical textures by itselfmaking it an extremely usefulinstrument. It is anindispensable instrument for

accompaniment.


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Organ The organ is a principal

keyboard instrument but it hasa physical property which makeit a woodwind instrument. Itssounds are made by air forced

by a mechanical meansthrough pipes. The pipes arecontrolled by two or morekeyboard and a set of pedals.An organ is capable of sustaining tonesindefinitely. Nowadays, the electronic organ iscommonly used. Here, the sound is produced notby wind but by electrical oscillators.

l


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Celesta the celesta which in

appearance resembles a

miniature upright piano, is a

kind of glockenspiel that isoperated by a keyboard; the

steel plates are struck by a

small hammers producing bell-

like tones.


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Piano Accordion has a melody keyboard for

the right hand


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Harmonium The harmonium is akeyboard instrument relatedto the organ in that its a toneis produced by air (bellowsoperated by feet) which setsthin strips of metals (reeds)vibrating.


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Ensemble Mediums When two or more performers are equally

engaged in playing or singing a piece of music,

the medium is called an ensemble (an sambl )and the music is called ensemble music.


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Symphony Orchestra


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Symphony Orchestra The symphony orchestra is alarge ensemble which includesall the principal instrumentaltypes. The modern symphonyorchestra has about 100 players,but this number varies accordingto the kind of music being played.It is composed of four sectionscorresponding to the four

instrumental groupings; the stringsection.Each of these sections has at least oneinstrument which falls into each of the fourbasic ranges: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tch_In_Charlotte.JPG


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Concerto The concerto is a form

written for orchestra and

usually one solo

instrument (piano, violin,

etc) is given a prominent

role in music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ancasta-LaViottiChamberOrchestraMozartKV136.ogv


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Hailed as the King of the high Cs is a worldrenowned Italian Tenor; who had his concert on thenight of March 21, 1994 at the PICC Hall, Manila.Pavarotti was ably assisted in the two-and-a-half-hourconcert by the Philippine Symphony Orchestra underthe baton of Pavarottis own conductor Leone

Magiera, and Italian flutist Andrea Griminelli.

B d


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Band A band is a instrumental

ensemble, large like the

orchestra but consisting mainly

exclusively of wind andpercussion outdoor events

instruments. Although the band

is closely associated with

outdoor event (parades,

funerals, football games, etc.), it


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Chamber Ensembles Chamber music is a medium which calls for calls

for only a few performer (from two to about eightor nine instruments) with one player to each part.The most common chamber music ensemblesare listed below:

1.Solo Sonatas Music written for instrument (violin, cello, flute,oboe, horn, etc.), with an accompaniment by suchinstruments as the piano or harpsichord, belongsto the category of chamber music ensemble.

2 String Quartet


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2.String Quartet The most common medium of chamber music

appears to be the string quartet. It consist of twoviolins, a viola, and a cello. When the piano replacesone of the four instruments, the ensemble is pianoquartet.

3.Duos, Trios, Quintets, and other.Music in which two instruments have equal

importance is called a duo; music for three

instrument s is a trio ; for five, a quintet ; for six, a sextet ; for seven, a septet ; for eight, an octet ; fornine, nonet . These ensembles may consist of anycombination of instruments, including strings,

woodwinds, brass, keyboard, and percussion


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Special Ensembles As music evolves, composers search for new

mediums more congenial to their changing musical

ideas. A particularly significant trend in recent

years has been the development of electronicinstrument, which many contemporary composers

feel are more versatile than traditional instruments

and are more suitable for achieving the sounds

they want for the music.

Rondalla


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This is the best-knowninstrumental group in thePhilippines today. It is a bandmade up of stringed instruments:the banduria, which assumes thelead part and play the melody; thelaud or octavina , which carry the

alto and contrapuntal parts; thepiccolo , tuned above the banduria,which plays the ornamentalpassages; and the guittara and

bajo , which give solidity to therhythm and support the harmony.Some percussion instruments have found theirway into the rondalla to add color and variedtonal rhythmic effects.


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Mixed Ensembles

A considerable literature of music exist for largemixed ensembles which include instruments

and voices. Such musical types as an opera,

oratorio, cantata, Mass, Requiem Mass, and

even symphonies may employ vocal soloist,

chorus and orchestra. Mixed chamberensembles have made their appearance in the

twentieth century.

Ch b O h


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Chamber Orchestra The term chamber orchestra is

applied to small instrumental

ensembles in which there are

only a few performers for a part.Chamber orchestras are in

category of ensemble between a

chamber ensemble and the full

orchestra.


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ConductorA conductor is someone who

leads and guides an orchestra or

a group of singers in order to

perform a piece to the best oftheir abilities. Conductors work

in theater or stage plays, film or

TV scores, lead orchestras and

choirs that are either amateurs

or pros.


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SUBMITTED TO:

PROF. AILEEN BISNAR

SUBMITTED BY :


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MICHAEL CAINE M. PASABING

REZIE FABE

Chapter 9 Mediums of Music

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