Chapter Eleven

Dynamics, Timbre, and

Texture

Rhythm

Melody (pitch)

Harmony

Timbre (sound)DynamicsTexture

Form (shape)

Basic Elements of Music

Dynamics are the relative volume of sound and are measured in decibels.

Dynamics go from the threshold of sensation (softest sound we can hear) to the threshold of pain.

Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 decibels, over time, will cause hearing loss. Noise levels above 140 decibels can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure.

Dynamics

Common sounds measured in decibels

0 softest sound a person can hear 10 normal breathing 20 whispering at 5 feet 30 soft whisper 50 rainfall 60 normal conversation 75-85 flush toilet112 CD player or car stereo on high 120 rock concert

Dynamics

When applied to music, dynamics are referred to by the abbreviations of the Italian terms for loud and soft—

Abbr. Italian term Dynamic pp pianissimo-- very soft p piano-- soft mp mezzo piano-- medium softmf mezzo forte-- medium loud f forte-- loudff fortissimo-- very loud

Dynamics

The tone quality of a sound, also called tone color, which distinguishes two instruments or voices or groups of instruments or voices. Terms such as bright, dark, thin, mellow, brilliant, nasal, etc. are used to describe timbre.

Blended Timbre

Like-Instrument Ensemble (all flutes, for example)

Diverse Timbre

Many Different Instruments and Voices (symphony orchestra, for example)

Timbre (tam-ber)

MonophonicHomophonicPolyphonicHeterophonicHomorhythmicPolyrhythmic

Texture Types (Refer back to Intro to Intro Powerpoint)

Single Melody LineCan have more than one performer but everyone plays or sings the same thing.

Examplessinging Happy Birthdayviolin section playing a solo

Monophonic Texture

Predominant Melody with Subordinate Accompaniment

Examples• Dave Matthew's singing while his band plays the accompaniment•Flute solo with piano accompaniment

Homophonic Texture

Two or More musical lines of equal importance

Example•Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Polyphonic Texture

A Texture in which each performer presents his/her own Variation of the melody at the same time. There are very few examples of heterophony in Western music. And there is no Western genre that relies on heterophony.

Heterophonic Texture

A texture with several different parts with the same or nearly identical rhythm.

Homorhythmic Texture

A texture with an organizing factor [usually too rapid to be perceived as a beat] that unifies several different rhythms [often contrasting] that are played together

Polyrhythmic Texture

Symphony Orchestras

Symphony Orchestras

Have grown in size over the years

17th––18th Century15-30 players

19th-21st Century30-120 players

Romantic Era (1820-1900)

Widespread acceptance and increase in popularity of Public Concerts

Concerts moved to larger hallsComposers experimented with larger

forcesValves developed ca. 1815 for brass

instruments

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)Britten’s most famous piece of music is

Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra: Variations and a Fugue on a Theme of Henry Purcell.

Britten wrote the piece for the film The Instruments of the Orchestra. It normally includes a narration which has been recorded by many actors over the years.

Sections (Families) of the Orchestra

Strings— violins, violas, cellos, string basses, etc.

Woodwinds— clarinets, oboes, flutes,

bassoons, etc.

Brass— trumpets, French horns,

trombones, tubas, etc.

Percussion— snare drums, tympani,

bells, tambourines, cymbals, etc.

Seating Plan of Orchestra

Seating Plan of Orchestra

Strings

String Family

Violin Viola

Cello Bass (with cello)

Woodwinds

Woodwind Family

Piccolo

Flute

BassoonClarinet

Oboe

BrassSolid Brass Quartet

Brass Family

Trumpet

Tuba

Trombone

French Horn

Percussion

Percussion

Cymbals

Hand Percussion

Timpani

XylophoneSnare