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?
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