Music Appreciation- Grade 8

Unit 1 Review PowerPoints

Unit 1Musical Elements

Provides entertainment.◦ Concerts◦ Informal music making◦ Singing to the radio

Provides emotional release◦ Stress reducer

Accompanies activities◦ Dances◦ Sporting events◦ Church

Music plays a vital role in human society-

An art based on the organization of sounds in time.

What is Music?

Modern technology◦ Computers◦ Ipod’s◦ Stereo

200 years ago, you had to go to a concert hall to listen to music.

You can listen to music as often as you want, wherever you want.

Recorded performance is a sensational innovation of the twentieth century.

Artists put themselves on the line.◦ Training and magnetism must overcome technical

difficulties to involve the listener’s emotions.◦ Only exists for a moment- can never be repeated.◦ Allows for more exchange of feelings and

emotions between artist and audience.

Live performances provide a special excitement.

Even pr0fessional critics can differ strongly in their evaluations of a performance.

No one “truth” about what we hear and feel. Up to listeners to evaluate performances of

music.

Our response to a musical performance or an artist is subjective and rooted in deep feeling.

Chapter 1Sound: Pitch, Dynamics, and Tone Color

Squeaks and honks of traffic Laughter Dog’s barking Rain/Wind

◦ We need sounds to communicate◦ Silence can communicate just as well as sound.

Sounds bombard our ears every day

We can direct our attention to different sounds◦ Party

Focus on people we are talking too. Ignore conversations further away.

Actually, we shut out most sounds, paying attention only to those of interest.◦ 4’33’’- John Cage

Sounds may be perceived as pleasant or unpleasant

The sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium.◦ Begins with the vibration of an object, such as a table

that is pounded or a string that is plucked.◦ Vibrations are transmitted to our ears by a medium,

which is usually air.◦ Eardrums start vibrating too, and impulses, or signals, are

transmitted to the brain.◦ Impulses are selected, organized, and interpreted.

What is sound?

The relative highness or lowness that we hear in a sound.

Pitch

Without differences of pitch, speech would be boring, and- worse- there would be no music as we know it.

Pitch of sound is determined by the frequency of its vibrations.◦ Faster=Higher◦ Slower=Lower

In music, a sound that has a definite pitch is called a tone.◦ Specific frequency

A=440 cycles per second

Two tones will sound different when they have different pitches.

The “distance” in pitch between any two tones is called an interval.

An octave is a specific distance between pitches of the same name. Ex. A1 to A2◦ Number of cycles doubles for every octave up.◦ When sounded at the same time, two tones an

octave apart blend so well that they almost seem to merge into one tone.

Filled with seven different pitches before arriving at the top note, which “duplicates” the starting note.◦ These seven tones dominated western civilization

for centuries.◦ Seven tones are produced by the white keys of

the piano. Five pitches were added.

◦ Black keys of the keyboard.

Octave

The distance between the lowest and highest tones that a voice or instrument can produce is called its pitch range, or simply its range.◦ Untrained voice- between 1 and 2 octaves◦ Piano- over 7 octaves

Range

Degrees of loudness or softness in music are called dynamics.◦ Can be sudden◦ Can be gradual

Accent◦ When a performer emphasizes a tone by

playing/singing it more loudly than the tones around it.

Dynamics

Term Abbreviation Meaning

Pianissimo pp Very soft

Piano p Soft

Mezzo piano mp Moderately soft

Mezzo forte mf Moderately loud

Forte f Loud

Fortissimo ff Very loud

For extremes of softness and loudness, composers use ppp or pppp and fff and ffff

Crescendo

Decrescendo

We can tell a trumpet from a flute even when each of them is playing the same tone at the same dynamic level.

The characteristic quality of each instrument’s sound is called its tone color, or timre.

Changes in tone color create variety and contrast.

Tone colors build a sense of continuity. A practically unlimited variety of tone colors

is available to composers.

Tone Color

Chapter 2Performing Media: Voices and Instruments

The Voice

Singing is/has been the most widespread and familiar way of making music.◦ History of singing starts in Ancient Greece.

The voice has a unique ability to fuse a word with a musical tone, and for this reason poetry and singing have been inseparable in many cultures.

Correct singing is hard!

The Voice

Wider ranges of pitch and volume than speech

Greater supply and control of breath Working vocal folds Good ear

Singing well requires…

Depends on training and physical makeup Professionals command 2 octaves or more Untrained usually limited to 1 ½ Men’s vocal folds are longer and thicker

than women’s◦ Difference produces a lower range in men

Singer’s Range

There are four ranges of singers◦ Soprano◦ Alto◦ Tenor◦ Bass

These can then be divided further into: Mezzo-soprano Contralto Counter Tenor Baritone Bass-baritone Basso Profundo

Classification

Singing technique varies widely from culture to culture◦ Asian- more nasal◦ Africa- stand bending forward◦ India- sit on the floor

In the West alone, there are several different styles◦ Classical◦ Pop◦ Jazz◦ Folk◦ Rock

Differences in taste

Until the late 1600’s, most music of western culture was vocal.

Since then, composers have written for both voice and instruments.

All music is based on singing

Straight No Chaser◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

Virtual Choir 3◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3rRaL-Czxw

Le Nozee di Figaro◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srf2fa_gimc

Lady Gaga◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bHhpufKRjs

Examples

Musical Instruments

Any mechanism-other than the voice-that produces musical sounds.

Usually classified in six categories:◦ Strings◦ Woodwinds◦ Brass◦ Percussion◦ Keyboard◦ Electronic

What is an instrument?

Often made in different sizes that produce different ranges.◦ Saxophones

Sopranino Soprano Alto Tenor Baritone Bass

Size matters

Tone color can vary with the register (part of the total range.)◦ Clarinet

Dark and rich in its low register High register is brilliant and piercing.

Instrumentalists try to match the beautiful, flexible tone of a singer’s voice.◦ Most instruments have a wider range than most

singers.

Sound matters more!

Provide entertainment Accompany singing, dancing, religious rites,

and drama. Some cultures think they have magical powers

◦ Djembe Communication

◦ Drumbeats◦ Horns

Status symbol◦ Anyone that was anyone had a piano during the 19th

century.

Uses

Changes with the times Only a fraction of all known instruments are

used today. Interest in history has brought some back. Instruments can cross cultures

Popularity

Compositions may be written for one instrument, or many

Can be written for mixed groups, as well as groups of like instruments.

Mixed:◦ Concert band◦ Marching band◦ Orchestra

Like:◦ String quartet◦ Brass quintet◦ Woodwind ensemble◦ Percussion ensemble

Consorts of sorts…

Research Project!!!

Report must be at least two pages in length.◦ Double spaced.◦ If I cannot read it, I will make you type it!

Must include:◦ Brief history of the instrument◦ How the instrument is made◦ How the instrument (or class of instruments) is/are played.◦ Brief section on two famous musicians that play this instrument (if

available). Select from the vocabulary lists provided by Mr. Heithoff. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE!!!! Must have at least 3 sources:

◦ Book from the library or Mr. Heithoff◦ One internet source.◦ Encyclopedia (either web based or book based)

Include, at the end, a video from YouTube showing a performance of the instrument (if available).

Requirements

Chapter 2, Part 2

Strings

Violin, viola, cello, and double bass form the orchestra’s string section.

Other string instruments include the guitar, banjo, sitar, and koto, as well as many others.

Vary in tone color, as well as in size and range.

Violin is the smallest, double bass is the largest.

Usually played with a bow, or can be plucked with a finger.

String Instruments

Itzhak Perlman◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJhPH16AJe8

Joshua Bell◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITTbY1n3Iz8

Stradivarius Violins◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrUy3L-6GR0

Dubstep◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf6LD2B_kDQ

Violin

Elegy for Solo Viola◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4pGbFwC1s0

Orchestra and Solo Viola◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRt1gc0e1MY

Viola

Yo-Yo Ma◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHzfD6XLK7Q

The Piano Guys◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4BzonlVlw

Apocalyptica◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw4zcQn30mo

Cello

Rinat Ibragimov◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt-bNf6h0tI

Adam Ben Ezra◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyUZh_Cbw6Q

Berlin Philharmonic Double Bass Players◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvYedsBA50

Double Bass

Tommy Emmanuel◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S33tWZqXhnk

Slash◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0C9M5ahvQ

Guitar and Banjo

Chapter 2- Woodwinds

So named because they produce vibrations of air within a tube that traditionally was made of wood.

Flutes and Piccolo’s now traditionally made of metal.

All have holes along the length of the instrument◦ Opened and closed by fingers or pads

Woodwinds

Flute Family◦ Flute◦ Piccolo

Clarinet Family◦ Clarinet◦ Bass Clarinet

Oboe Family◦ Oboe◦ English Horn

Bassoon Family◦ Bassoon◦ Contrabassoon

Orchestral Woodwinds

Most woodwind instruments use a reed to produce vibrations.

Reed- very thin piece of cane, about 2 ½ inches long.

Single Reed Instruments- Clarinet, Saxophone

Double Reed Instruments- Oboe, English Horn, Bassoon

Reeds vs. No Reeds

Saxophone Recorder Penny Whistle

Other Woodwinds

James Gallway◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI3wIHFQkAk

Native American Flute◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC9syForxPs

Piccolo◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ycH2nEqNY

Flute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Xx79yGBpk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWbj7FYEi3M

Bass Clarinet◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSZtX3WHF_E

Clarinet

Gabriel’s Oboe◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WJhax7Jmxs

English Horn◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HhrxVx1Ztc

Oboe

Super Mario◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gXh83hNnWw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGmWJ6k264

Contrabassoon◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScUEgUZbpbU

Bassoon

Alto◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnYMdsDzOPk

Tenor◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLSOWrZy6xs

Bari◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYAc0a178d0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvWpiUOU7xA

Saxophone

Chapter 2- Brass Instruments

From high to low, the main brass instruments of the symphony orchestra are the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba.

Trumpets and trombones can also be found in jazz and rock groups

Orchestral Brass

Sound is produced by vibrations from lips caused by blowing into a cup or funnel shaped mouthpiece.

Can be played softly and loudly, as well as with a wide variety of timbre’s.

Modern instruments made from brass Earlier counterparts were made of hollow

animal horns, elephant tusks, and even glass.

Sound

Concert and marching bands use other brass instruments that are not used in the orchestra◦ Cornet◦ Baritone horn◦ Euphonium◦ Flugel horn◦ Mellophone

Other brass instruments

Can play a wide variety of pitches◦ Valves◦ Slide

Pitch determined by the tension of the players lips and length of instrument

Early instruments had no valves and used crooks instead.

Can also use mutes to change the timbre of the instrument.

Very powerful instruments, used for fanfares and bold heroic statements.

pitch

Wynton Marsalis◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3blL4v-cY18

Adolph “Bud” Herseth◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeqlg6McDBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnsjJuNMPsI

trumpet

Siegfried Horn Call◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MkMdlfl8Hg

Vienna Horns◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnFl1q0IYTA

How It’s Made◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTvYxP9tjQs

horn

Joe Alessi◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gi1wmhojUg

International Trombone Ensemble◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwXRw2QrFHY

Jazz◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QIkq_lGaI

Bass Trombone◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggBrpvB9bs8

Trombone

Gene Pokorny◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14hs-KTfiQ

Carol Janstche◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9771OY6KwY

Roger Bobo◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NymprfjizE

Oystein Baadsvik◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qIL2ie-VE

Tuba

Corps Style Brass◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvay3hbwX4M

Brass Quintet◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjBT8ElQ7Pw

Low Brass Ensemble◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fj7eri3NNY

Brass Ensembles

Chapter 2- Percussion

Most percussion instruments of the orchestra are struck◦ By hand◦ With sticks◦ With hammers

Some are shaken or rubbed

Split into two categories◦ Pitched◦ Non-Pitched

Classification

Timpani (kettledrums) Glockenspiel Xylophone Celesta chimes

Pitched (Definite Pitch)

Snare drum (side drum) Bass drum Tambourine Triangle Cymbals Gong (tam-tam)

Non-Pitched (Indefinite Pitch)

Vibrations of percussion instruments are set up by:◦ Stretched membranes

Calfskin plastic

◦ Plates or bars Metal Wood Resin

Percussion instruments can be extremely loud◦ Bass drum◦ Cymbals

One percussionist may play several different instruments within the same composition

Good Vibrations

Percussion instruments have long been used to emphasize rhythm and to heighten climaxes.

Until the 20th century, they played a far less important role than other instruments.

Since 1900, composers have written pieces to show off the colors of the percussion section, including entire pieces to show off one instrument or group of instruments.

Rhythm

Timpani◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40k3AAbA7tM◦ Also Sprach Zarathustra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9QxaJLt7EA Xylophone

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRAyL5ai5Lg Glockenspiel

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAMXiv4Ohn8 Chimes

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVLHmFuiBjM Celeste

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10B3e3k6CVs

Pitched Percussion

Snare Drum◦ Hercules

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUShpruiqHo◦ Bolero

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrEk06XXaAw Bass Drum

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDFFHaz9GsY Triangle

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5qkH9uYkOw Tambourine

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvIbXL84duI◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FifeW-xtJy0

Cymbals◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQVvCt7Sxg

Non-Pitched Percussion

Chapter 2- Keyboard and Electronic

instruments

The piano, harpsichord, organ, and accordion are the best-known keyboard instruments.

A keyboard permits the performer to play several tones at the same time easily and rapidly

The piano and, to a lesser extent, the organ are sometimes used in modern symphony orchestras for coloristic effects.

All keyboard instruments can be played solo.

Keyboard Instruments

More great music has been written for the piano than for any other solo instrument.

Incredibly versatile◦ Can play several notes at once◦ Wide range of pitches◦ Wide dynamic range

When a key is struck, a felt covered hammer strikes the string◦ When the key is released, a felt damper stops all vibration of

the string. Invented around 1700, but did not come into wide use

until the 1780s, and was mechanically perfected in the 1850s.◦ When did Bach die?

piano

Strings are plucked by plectra◦ Little wedges of plastic, leather, or quill.◦ Controlled by one or two keyboards

Main stringed keyboard instrument from 1500 to about 1775

harpsichord

Many sets of pipes controlled from several keyboards, including a pedal keyboard for the feet.

Different pipes are allowed to play by using stops.

Dynamic change is created by altering the number of stops used.

Greatest period of organ music was from 1600 to 1750◦ Known as the “king of instruments”

Pipe organ

Free steel rods are controlled by a treble keyboard with piano keys, and a bass keyboard controlled by buttons.

Reeds are caused to vibrate by air pressure from a bellows.

accordian

Chopin◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRO05WcND

k Mozart

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s68kHOnpiE Liszt

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0odaG9qi818 Brahms

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxH50l50dvs Schumann

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynky7qoPnUU

piano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfuZL_RZwIw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVg8Oz2xqe4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMPIMUuE7yI

harpsichord

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBskjhd076o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYc0ipOhRyA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o

Pipe organ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYuF0y7GJIo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9aj4PTEl6Q

accordian

Electronic instruments produce or amplify sound through electronic means◦ Invented as early as 1904◦ Significant impact since 1950

Tape Studio was the main tool of composers of electronic music during the 1950s.

Synthesizers are systems of electronic components that generate, modify, and control sound.◦ Vary in size and capacity

Electronic Music

Analog synthesizers- ◦ earliest synthesizer technology, uses a mixture of complex sounds that

are shaped by filtering. Digital frequency modulation (FM) synthesis-

◦ Invented by John Chowning◦ Represents sound waves as numbers

Effects devices◦ Reverb◦ Echo◦ Stereo splitters

Sampling◦ Placing brief digital recordings of live sounds under the control of a

synthesizer keyboard MIDI- musical instrument digital interface

◦ Standard adopted by manufacturers for interfacing synthesizer equipment.

Synthesizers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbHbQ37o-Ck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdc03If_J-E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4cgLL8JaVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8oDnUga0JU

music

Chapter 3- Rhythm

Basic to life Essence- recurring pattern

In the widest sense, rhythm is the flow of music through time.

Almost all music uses rhythm in some way.

Rhythm

When you clap your hands or tap your foot to music, you are responding to its beat.

Beat is a regular, recurrent pulsation that divides music into equal units of time.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN2I6vdzgts

Beats can be represented by marks on a time line.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izQsgE0L450

Beat

Rhythm is the flow of music through time. Beat is a regular, recurrent pulsation that

divides music in equal units of time.

Beat must continue the same through at least one measure.

Rhythm can constantly change, but generally repeats.

Rhythm vs. Beat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN2I6vdzgts

The organization of beats into regular groups is called Meter.◦ First beat of a measure is called the downbeat.◦ An unaccented pulse preceding the downbeat is

the upbeat.◦ A pattern of 3 beats to the measure is known as

triple meter.◦ A pattern of 4 beats to the measure is known as

quadruple meter.

Meter

When a note is emphasized more than the notes around it, this is called an Accent.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDFFHaz9GsY

When an accented note comes where we normally would not expect one, the effect is known as syncopation.

Accent and Syncopation

The speed of the beat is called its Tempo. A tempo indication is usually given at the

beginning of a piece.◦ Largo- very slow◦ Grave- very slow◦ Adagio- slow◦ Andante- moderately slow, a walking pace◦ Moderato- moderate◦ Allegretto- moderately fast◦ Allegro- fast◦ Vivace- lively◦ Presto- very fast◦ Prestissimo- as fast as possible.

Tempo

I Got Rhythm◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvglHa_P9BA

Unsquare Dance◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDB4K5zCcfk

Chapter 4- Music Notation

We use written words to express our thoughts and communicate with others when we can’t be with them.◦ Letters◦ Email◦ Text

In music, ideas are also written down, or notated, so that performers can play pieces unknown to them.

A system of writing music so that specific pitches and rhythms can be communicated.

Notation

Notes◦ Indicate the pitch that is to be played◦ Can be placed higher for higher pitches and lower

for lower pitches.◦ Oval in shape- some can have stems and flags

Symbols

A set of five horizontal lines. Notes are positioned either on the lines of

the staff or between them, in the spaces. The higher a note is placed, the higher its

pitch. If a pitch falls above or below the range

indicated by the staff, short, horizontal ledger lines are used

Staff

Seven of the twelve pitches that fill the octave in western music are named after the first seven letters of the alphabet◦ A, B, C, D, E, F, G

These notes correspond to the white keys on the piano

Pitches

The other 5 notes that correspond to the black keys of the piano, use the same pitch names, A-G, but add an accidental, either a #, b, or natural.◦ # raises the pitch a half step◦ b lowers the pitch a half step◦ Natural cancels out a previous flat or sharp

Other notes

A clef is placed at the beginning of the staff to show the pitch of each line and space

Two most common clefs are the treble clef and the bass clef

Other clefs exist and are readily used.

Clef

Music notation does not indicate the exact duration of tones; instead, it shows how long one tone lasts in relation to others in the same piece.

A single note on the staff lasts longer or shorter depending on how it looks, on whether it is white or black and has a stem or flags.

Duration of Notes

Note Family

Melody

Easier to recognize than define. Melody- a series of single tones that

add up to a recognizable whole Begins, moves, and ends Has direction, shape, and continuity

Melody

Moves by small intervals called steps or by larger ones called leaps.

Step- an interval between two adjacent tones in the do-re-mi scale.

Any interval larger than a step is a leap (do to mi for example).

Range- distance between its lowest and highest tones.

The specific order of short and long notes in a melody is important◦ A well known melody can be almost

unrecognizable if not sung in proper rhythm◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItMJtA8vfpw

How the tones of a melody are performed can vary its effect, too◦ Sometimes legato- smooth◦ Sometimes staccato- short, detached

Rhythm

Many melodies are made up of shorter parts called phrases.

On the other hand, contrasting phrases can provide variety

Composers often write entire pieces based around these variations◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZyn2FDvvy0

Phrases often appear in balanced pairs◦ First phrase of rising pitches◦ Followed by a second phrase of falling pitches◦ Second phrase may partly repeat the first but have

a more conclusive ending, a point of arrival Cadence- a resting place at the end of a

phrase.◦ Incomplete cadence- sets up expectations, ends

unfinished◦ Complete cadence- gives an answer, feels final◦ Deceptive cadence- tricks you into thinking the

end is near, then sends you somewhere else.

Cadences

http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

Video and Assignment

Harmony

When folk singers accompany themselves on a guitar, they add support, depth, and richness to the melody. We call this harmonizing. Most western culture is a blend of melody and harmony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64iQNn88d_I

Harmony – refers to the way chords are constructed and how they follow each other.

Chords- combination of three or more tones sounded at once.

- Essentially, a chord is a group of simultaneous tones, and a melody is a series of individual tones heard one after another.

Harmony

As a melody unfolds, it provides clues for harmonizing- some of the tones of the melody are usually included in the chords of the accompaniment.

But a melody does not always dictate a specific series, or progression, of chords.

Chords are selected primarily to fit a melodies mood.

You can either write the melody first, or the chords first, it does not matter.

Some chords have been considered stable and restful, others unstable and tense.

A tone combination that is stable is called a consonance.◦ Points of arrival, rest, and resolution.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYecrfQjEJU◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS6eghGr6m0

A tone combination that is unstable is called a dissonance.◦ Its tension demands an onward motion to a stable chord.◦ A dissonance has its resolution when it moves to a

consonance.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ZKKXCuaYc

Consonance and Dissonance

The simplest, most basic chord is the triad, which consists of three tones.

A triad is made up of alternate tones of the scale, such as the first tone, the third, and the fifth above the root.

A triad build on the first, or tonic, note of the scale is called the tonic chord.◦ It is the main chord of a piece, the most stable and conclusive.◦ Traditionally, the tonic chord would usually begin a composition and

almost always end it. The triad built on the fifth note of the scale is next in

importance to the tonic, and is called the dominant chord.◦ Strongly pulled toward the tonic chord◦ A V-I progression gives a strong feeling of finality.

A progression from dominant to tonic is called a cadence.

The Triad

When individual tones of a chord are sounded one after another, it is called a broken chord, or arpeggio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB3iqb93xOc

Broken Chords (Arpeggios)

Listen to the prelude, and discuss these items:◦ How it sounds (eg. Happy or sad)◦ Whether it uses primarily chords or arpegios◦ Is there more consonance or dissonance?

Write a one paragraph explanation for each item (a paragraph equals 4 complete sentences with a beginning, middle, and end to the paragraph.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef-4Bv5Ng0w

Chopin, Prelude in E Minor for Piano

Chapter 7- Key

Practically all melodies are built around a central tone.◦ Every other tone of the melody gravitate toward

this central tone. Since the central tone is especially stable

and restful, a melody usually ends on it. Keynote or tonic- the central tone that

melodies gravitate toward.

Key

Key- involves not only a central tone but also a central scale and chord.◦ A piece in the key of C has a basic scale that

starts and ends on C Compositions traditionally end with the

restful tonic chord, which is built up from the tonic note.◦ Another term for key is tonality.

Key

A scale is made up of the basic pitches of a piece of music arranged in order from low to high or from high to low.◦ Many different scales have been used throughout time.

Major scale- made up of 7 different pitches (the 8th is a repeat of the tonic an octave higher) arranged in a pattern of whole and half steps. (WWHWWWH)◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rQSJDLM8ZE◦ Half step- traditionally the smallest interval used in

wester music.◦ Whole step- twice as large as the half step.

Major Scale

Consists of seven different tones and an eighth tone that duplicates the first an octave higher.

Differs in its pattern of intervals◦ WHWWHWW◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8

Minor Scale

To indicate the key of a piece of music, the composer uses a key signature, consisting of sharp or flat signs immediately following the clef sign and the beginning of the staff.

By using a key signature, a composer avoids having to write a sharp or a flat sign before every sharped or flatted note in a piece.

Key Signature

The twelve tones of the octave- all the white and black keys in one octave on the piano- form the chromatic scale.◦ Unlike those of the major or minor scales, tones of

the chromatic scale are all the same distance apart.

Does not define a key http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RvwjgW

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Chromatic Scale

Most short pieces we know remain in a single key from beginning to end

However, in longer pieces of music, variety and contrast are created by using more than one key.◦ A composition may begin in the key of C Major, for

example, and then proceed to G Major. Shifting from one key to another within the

same piece is called modulation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeJuUqDq

Y00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loEAFCMx

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Modulation

No matter how often a piece changes key, there is usually one main key, called the tonic or home key.

Central key around which the whole piece is organized.◦ Traditionally, a piece would usually begin in the

home key and practically always end in it.

Tonic Key

Chapter 8- Musical Texture

At a particular moment within a piece, we may hear on unaccompanied melody, several simultaneous melodies, or a melody with supporting chords.◦ To describe them, we use the term musical texture◦ Refers to:

How many different layers of sound are heard at once What kind of layers they are (melody or harmony) How they are related to each other

Musical texture is described as transparent, dense, thin, thick, heavy, or light.◦ Composers can vary the textures within their music to

create contrast and drama

Musical Texture

Texture of a single melodic line without accompaniment is monophonic, meaning literally ‘having one sound’.◦ Ex. Include singing or playing an instrument

alone.◦ If multiple people all sing/perform the same line, it

is called unison.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZEtVbJT5c

Monophonic Texture

Simultaneous performance of two or more melodic lines of relatively equal interest produces the texture called polyphonic, meaning ‘having many sounds’.◦ In polyphony, several melodic lines compete for attention.◦ This concept drastically shows the difference between

music and speech. Several people talking at once is hard to understand. Several people singing or playing at once can be beautiful.

◦ Combining several melodic lines into a meaningful whole is called counterpoint. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdGW_HBrLE

Polyphonic Texture

When we hear one main melody accompanied by chords, the texture is homophonic.◦ Examples include almost every popular song

written Country, rap, rock, pop

Homophonic Texture

Chapter 9- Musical Form

Form in music is the organization of musical elements in time.◦ Pitch, tone color, dynamics, rhythm, melody,

lyrics, and texture interact to produce a sense of shape and structure.

◦ Our memory allows us to perceive the overall form by recalling the various parts and how they relate to each other.

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PLgUlRVLZE

Form

Repetition◦ The number of times a theme repeats helps us to

determine the form. Contrast

◦ Some forms require contrast, such as the sonata. Variation

◦ Variation helps keep the music from becoming stagnant, and thus can create a new form.

Techniques that Create Musical Form

Three-Part (Ternary) Form◦ ABA◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJf-p6RYvo◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h94BdxnheeM

Two-Part (Binary) Form◦ AB◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zQYuhR-TUQ

Types of Musical Form

We are going to listen to three different songs/pieces. Your job is to determine the form.

Use the alphabet as shown to show the form.

We will do one example together as a class.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnvh7z8KhOc◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9DrUXowBo

Listening Assignment

Chapters 10 and 11- Performance and

Style

Without a performer, music would remain soundless on a page

It is the job of the performer to bring life to the printed symbols laid out by a composer.◦ Tempo and dynamic are all relative and depend on the

performance. Performers project to an audience a mixture of their

own feelings and the composer’s intentions. Critics sometimes say about a particularly convincing interpretation that a performer is “identified” with a work and its composer, that’s how close the relationship can be.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxk4mveLCw

Performance

Music created at the same time it’s performed is called improvisation.◦ Bach, Beethoven, and most modern jazz

performers are all known as being great improvisers.

Before the 19th century, performers were expected to add certain ornaments, or embellishing notes, not indicated in the printed music.◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umraz-Jyjjs

Improvisation

Music composed before 1600 presents the challenge of deciding what instruments to use.◦ Often these were not specified by early composers; and

to make things more difficult, some of the original instruments are not readily available today.

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNe0t0mEXmE◦ Many performers today will play a composition as they

think it was performed during the composers lifetime, using early performance techniques. They will even go so far as to use period instruments to get the most authentic sound.

◦ Other performers will use modern instruments, saying they can better convey the composers intent in the music with more accessible instruments.

Early Music

Outstanding performers of music nearly always, have been people with special talents that were recognized in childhood-a beautiful voice, unusual manual dexterity, and excellent ear for pitch, a keen memory: Like athletes, they have exceptional coordination, strength, and competitive drive.

Most solo pianists and violinists play professionally before the age of 15.

Natural gifts are not enough-A developing performer studies for years with fine teachers, practices many hours a day, and cultivates musical taste and a sense of style.

After all this is done, you have a 1 in 15,000,000 chance of being a virtuoso.

Performers

A conductor, the leader of a group of musicians, represents responsibility and authority.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIv6ZkiJHcM

Most use something called a baton.

Conductor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJcRmfweSM

Performance