-There were no notations so we don�t know how the music
sounded
-Music dates back to the beginning of the human race
Musical Instruments-
String
�
Violin
�
Viola
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Cello (violoncello)
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Double bass
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Harp
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Guitar
Woodwind
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Piccolo
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Flute
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Oboe
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English horn
�
Clarinet
�
Bass clarinet
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Bassoon & contrabassoon
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Recorder
�
Saxophone
Brass
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Trumpet
�
French Horn
�
Trombone
�
Tuba
Percussion-hitting
something
�
Timpani (kettledrums)
�
Glockenspiel
�
Xylophone
�
Celesta
�
Chimes
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Side drum(snare drums)
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Bass drum
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Tambourine
�
Triangle
�
Cymbals
�
Gong (tam-tam)
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Piano
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Harpsichord- looks like a
piano- had a stick that would pluck the string
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Organ- comes in many
different sizes
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Accordion
-Harpsichord, organ and accordion- people wanted new and
louder instruments
2. Elements of Music
Music-The organization of sounds (airwaves in vibrations) in
time. In the human voice sound is caused by the vocal chords.
�
The shorter the strings (the
more rapid the vibrations) the higher the sound and vice versa- shortest string
on a piano vibrates 4186 times a minute, the longest 27.5
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Pitch- the highness
or lowness of a sound
different from volume because volume measures loudness/ softness
-many vibrations- high pitch
-few vibrations- low pitch
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Tone-A sound with a
definite pitch and is produced in regular vibrations
�
Interval- The
distance between 2 tones
�
�
Octave- A tone on
the eighth degree from a given tone.
ex- A B C D E F G A- the distance from A to A is an octave
�
Beat- regular
pulsation of music
�
Meter- organization
of beats into regular groupings
�
Accent- stress/
emphasis of a note
�
Syncopation- the
stress (accent) comes between beats or when an offbeat (rest) note is accented
�
Measure- The amount
of beats per section
�
Tempo- the speed of
the beat
�
Indicators of Speed-
Andante- slow
Moderato- moderate
Allegro- fast
Presto- very fast
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Melody- A series of
notes which add up to a recognizable whole
a song needs at least 2 melodies- 1 for the verse & 1 for the chorus
-phrases-
shorter parts of a melody
-Motive (motif)-
a short musical "idea" which is developed from a composition
-Theme- The melody
at the starting point
theme- always a melody
melody- not always a theme
-Climax-
emotional focal point)
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Harmony- The way
chords are put together and follow each other
-chord- 3 or more notes/tones sounded at once
Consonance-
chords that are pleasing
Dissonance-
unpleasing tones played together that make one feel unrest
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Tone Color= Timbre-
the quality of sound that distinguishes one instrument/ voice from another (what
instrment/ voice you hear)
Ex- high, low, dark, rich, mellow
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Form- Organization
of music in time- how one part relates to another
-phrases-
combinations of parts of a composition
Ex- Two- Part Form (Binary), or AB form
Three part form
Sonata Allegro Form
Rondo Form
Through- composed
Ritornello Form
Theme & Vibrations-
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Dynamics- The
degree of loudness of softness (the volume of music)
Loudness is related to the amplitude (width) of the vibrations
Pianissimo- (pp) very soft
Piano- (p)soft
Mezzo Piano- (mp) moderately soft
Mezzo forte- (mf) moderately loud
Forte- (f) loud
Fortissimo- (ff) very loud
3. Musical Textures-
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Accompaniment-
background music
unison- everyone performing the same tone at the same time
-Monophonic- one melody without accompaniment-
singing in unison
-homophonic- one melody with accompaniment
-polyphonic- 2 or more different melodies
performed simultaneously
Voices
1-4 ( female) 5-9(male)
1.Soprano- highest female
2.mezzo- soprano
3.alto
4.contralto - very low female Ex- cher
5.Countertenor- very high boys very rare
6.tenor- high boys- more common
7.Baritone- sings tenor & some bass
8.Bass- lowest boys
9.Falsetto- an unnaturally (and usually
fake) high pitched male voice
ex- michael
4. Musical Eras-
�
Middle Ages: 450-1450
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Renaissance: 1450-1600
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Baroque: 1600-1750
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Classical:1750-1820
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Romantic: 1820-1900
�
20th century:
1900- the present
5. Middle Ages- (450-1450)
- When the
- Music was kept alive in churches and monasteries- it was
sacred
-Roman Catholic Church had the most powerful influences on
society because most people were illiterate- they were the only literate ones
Characteristics of Medieval music:
Church:
�
First musicians were the
priests
�
women didn�t sing in church
�
Church didn�t allow the use
of musical instruments- they were unholy so most music was
vocal (singing took much time & skill)
�
1st
- monophonic music- in the late middle ages, polyphony was used
�
All vocal performances was
in unison ( same tune at the same
time)
�
The official music of the
Roman Catholic Church was the Gregorian
Chant (from Pope Gregory the great 1- he assembled- not composed- the hymns)
�
Gregorian Chant- melodies
set to sacred Latin texts, based on passages from the Book of Psalms, sung w/o
accompaniment, monophonic,
Secular: (music outside the Church)
�
Minstrels- people who sang,
played and composed non religious music of the middle ages
-They were the acrobats/ jesters from the
lower levels of society
- They played on the Lute (looks like a
cello), fiddles and harps
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Troubadours- noblemen in the
South of France who wrote music and poetry
- Favorite subject - romance
�
Trouveres- Troubadours from
�
Minnesingers-same as
Minstrels/ troubadours but from
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Ars Nova- a system of
musical notation in which rhythm was noted more precisely
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Harmonization- accompanying
ones own, or anyone else�s, singing on a lute, harp or lyre
See sheet of music of middle ages
- shows: pitch and tempo (speed)
- doesn�t show: duration, meter, measure
�
music today is much
different from what it was back then- we have notes that show exactly how long
to sing a note
6. Music in the Renaissance (1450-1600)
- Renaissance- time of cultural rebirth
- People became interested in Humanism, art�
- Music before the Renaissance was seen as a science of the
way chords fit together to make a pleasant melody but now it was seen as an
expressive art with emotions and feelings.
-With invention of the Printing Press, printed sheet music
and books became more accessible
- Courts, governments, and even religious institutions of the
day began to support music to a degree never seen before
-Travel and resulting musical exchange became a driving force
for the creation of a more international musical style.
Renaissance composers concerned themselves with 3 areas of
music:
�
Sacred Music- they continued
to work with the older forms such as the Mass
-clearest international style
�
Secular Music- new forms
that reflected national trends
- EX- Italian Madrigal � *see bottom*
(Don�t need to know Instrumental Music)
Renaissance = technology, science, politics, art, economics,
and music
-It was a new way of viewing the world and it brought people
out of the Middle Ages
- Church began to lose its authority! Some composers still
wrote for the church but most composers composed non-religious songs.
-Some music was written in vernacular, not in Latin
Humanism- self
awareness- this dominant intellectual movement was an attempt to discover
humankind & individuality. It focused on human life accomplishments
�
Explorers
�
Painters
�
Composers
�
Education- considered status
symbol- more educated= higher status
Characteristics of Renaissance Music
�
Vocal music was more
important that instrumental music
�
No standard orchestra
(didn�t have enough instruments)
�
Textures was polyphonic
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No extreme contrast in
dynamics, tone color, and rhythm
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Close relationship between
words & music
�
Golden age of
a capella singing- unaccompanied
choral music
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Birth of
Madrigal- composition style for several voices usually in polyphonic
textures ( music is usually about love)
- Usually no accompaniment
- Uses
word painting- musical representation of
specific
poetic images
7. Baroque Period: 1600- 1750
- The Baroque period was a time of musical experimentation
where music moved the listener in a real and physical way.
They created new and extravagant styles.
�
Opera
�
Instrumental Music- created
impressive effects
Roles of music:
�
It was used in religious
services in both Catholic and Protestant traditions
�
However, the roles of music
expanded (from the Church)
�
It was used as entertainment
for the growing merchant and landed classes
National Styles:
�
Distinct styles of both
vocal and instrumental music were developed in
�
Composers exposed these
differences in their music by incorporating other styles.
Ex- A French composer writes a song �In the
Italian Style�
�
The question of the
superiority of the styles was the subject of a heated debate
Vocal vs. Instrumental:
�
Previously vocal was much
more apparent that instrumental. In the
Baroque period instrumental music became just as important as vocal.
�
New instrumental forms were
created
Ex- concerto, sonata
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New types of instruments
were created- mostly string
Ex- violin became most important string
instrument
�
Instruments played an
important role even in vocal music
Ex- instruments not only served as
accompaniment but
played equal roles with the
voices
�
It is considered the �Golden
Age� of the organ. Harpsichords and
trumpets were also very popular.
Aristocratic courts and churches funded and hired musicians.
They demanded new music to be played. As a result, composers were an essential
part of baroque society. Baroque
music has such a high quality of music that it has become customary in today�s
repertoire.
Characteristics of Baroque music
- Baroque music was flamboyant, bizarre, detailed and very
theatrical.
�
Unity of Mood-
One Basic mood remains throughout the whole composition
�
Rhythm-
one rhythmic pattern is repeated in the
composition which provides compelling drive
and energy
�
Melody-
elaborate, ornamented,
�
Dynamics-
�terraced� (sudden change)
�
Texture-
mostly polyphonic
�
Improvisation-
it was an essential part of Baroque music (you make it up as you go)
�
Orchestra-
based on the violin family (10-30 players)
8. Antonio Vivaldi
-virtuoso
player
�
Concerto Grosso-
a type of musical composition for a small group of solo instruments and
tutti- usually played in 3 movements
�
Tutti- �all�
of the orchestra in the Baroque period
�
Movement- a
section of music that sounds fairly complete but is part of a larger composition
�
Ritornello form-
a
form of concerto grusso in which the
solo alternates which the tutti
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Virtuoso-
a
performer who developed an extraordinary technical mastery
�
Improvisation-
music
created at the time it was performed
�
Repertoire-
all the music one can perform by heart- it wasn�t finished in the process of
learning
�
Terraced Dynamics-
a
sudden change in the music
Ex- Loud�
soft
Soft
�
loud
9. Johann Sebastian Bach
1685-1750: born in the height of the Baroque period
-great organist- famous in his time for his organ playing
-came from a family of great musicians
- his music wasn�t played until 1839 when it was rediscovered
-composed music in all forms of Baroque era except opera
-created unity with insistent rhythmic drive (technique of
music)
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Fugue- a
polyphonic composition based on 1 main theme
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Suite-
musical composition that consists of several movements-a set of dance-inspired
music , everything in the same key but different in meter, tempo,
--Consists of the following movements
(dances):
1.
Allemande- German moderate
2.
Courante- French, fast
3.
Sarabonde- Spanish, slow
4.
Gavotte (or Badinerie, or
minuet)- French, fast
5.
Gigue(or Jig) � Irish, very
fast
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Chorale- a
hymn tune to German religious text
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Cantata- a
composition in several movements for a chorus, soloist, or orchestra
10. George Frideric Handel
- composed 39 Italian
operas
- was the director of Royal Academy of Music- but when it
went bankrupt, he began composing oratorios-
�
Oratorios-
large scale composition for chorus, vocal soloist, orchestra which was based on
biblical text but not intended for religious services- it is
secular. They are not as expensive as
operas. They are performed like a choir performs, by telling you a story.
�
Operas-
musical compositions performed by a group of singers and instruments- it was
very expensive to produce an opera.
Most famous songs by Handel:
1.
Saul
2.
Solomon
3.
4.
5.
Messiah- most famous song
-Messiah
based on the New
Testament
- everything else based on
OLD TESTAMENT
-Once, after hearing the song Hallelujah by Handel, the king
stood up for him, now everyone stands up during that song.
11. Classical Period- 1750-1825
-The word "classical" has many different meanings including:
Greek/Roman antiquity, something that never goes out of style, or serious music
-The Classical period refers to the 2nd
half of the 18th century and is called the
age of enlightenment"
believing in:
reason-
best guide for human conduct
balance-
clarity of structures
good taste and
emotional restraint
The heavy ornamented styles of Baroque
were no longer popular. Instead people became interested in
rococo and gallant music-
which were light and graceful.
EX- C.P.E. Bach and J.C. Bach were rococo composers
People no longer found favor in the unnatural and
artificial styles of Baroque music. They became interested in the natural simple
and balanced ideas of the classical period. In music, simplistic balance and an
interest in real emotions were critical for composers during this time period.
Roles of Music:
Music was popular in court life
Aristocrats became good musicians
rich people wanted to be surrounded by music at home-
music lessons and printed music increased
comedic operas often made fun of the aristocracy
Characteristics of Classical
Music:
Contrast of mood:
contrasting themes within movements; contrasts
within a single theme
rhythm-
variety, pattern often changes; unexpected rests
textures-
homophonic- melody w/ accompaniment;
contrapuntal texture
was used for specific purposes
melodies-
they fall into even phrases and organized into
symmetrical "question and answer" structures- tuneful, easy to remember and
balanced
dynamics-
gradual changes (not like terraced dynamics)-
harpsichord was replaces by piano
orchestra-
based on 4 families (25-50 players)
forms-
simple and rational; mostly Two-and three- part forms(sonata
allegro form)
improvisation-
limited to cadenzas
12. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
-Classical composer
-wrote masterpieces in all musical forms of this time
(symphonies, concertos, sonatas)
�
symphony- an
extended ambitious composition written in 4 movements( usually lasting between
20-40 minutes)- for a full orchestra it is called a
sonata
1.
1st
movement- allegro, sonata allegro form (vigorous,
dramatic, fast)
2.
2nd
movement- andante in
3.
3rd
movement- minuet or scherzo,
4.
4th
movement- finale, rondo form (fast-brilliant-heroic)
(
�
Sonata- a
composition for one or two instruments in 3 or 4 movements (1st
movement is written in sonata allegro
form)
�
Sonata allegro Form-
a form of 1 movement (usually used in 1st movements of symphonies,
concertos, and sonatas) consisting of 3 main sections:
�
Exposition-
1st main theme, transitional theme into the second theme, closing
theme
�
Development-
themes are broken into fragments, polyphonic textures- most dramatic section
�
Recapitulation-
similar to exposition (stability in music) all themes return to same order
�
Rondo- a form of 1
movement with 1 main theme (A) which repeats many times and is broken up by
other themes (BCD). The main theme (A) is called
refrain. The themes in between (BCD) are called
episodes.
�
Rondo form- used
for the last 3 movements of symphonies, concertos, sonatas
-common rondo pattern is A-B-A-C-A-D-A
13. Ludwig van Beethoven
- Classical composer
-bridged classical and romantic times
�
String Quartet- a
composition in 4 movements (where 1st movement is written in sonata
allegro form) for 4 instrument: 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello
�
Concerto-
composition for a solo instrument and an orchestra in 3 movements
Title |
Composer |
Texture |
Era |
Form |
Type |
Technique |
Kyrie |
Unknown |
Monophonic |
Middle Ages |
|
Gregorian Chant |
Unison |
Sadeness |
Enigma |
Homophonic |
20th century |
|
|
|
Soul of Love |
Palestrina |
Polyphonic |
Renaissance |
|
Madrigal |
A capela
|
March |
Lully |
Polyphonic |
Renaissance |
|
Ballet |
|
When the Rooster Crows |
Purcell |
polyphonic |
Renaissance |
|
Madrigal |
Word painting |
Spring #6 |
Vivaldi |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Concerto Grusso |
Terraced
Dynamics |
Winter #4 |
Vivaldi |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Concerto Grusso |
Terraced Dynamics |
Little Fugue in G Minor |
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Fugue |
|
Bandinerie |
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Suite |
Insistent rhythmic drive |
Toccata in Fugue |
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Toccata and Fugue |
|
Air for Strings in D Minor |
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Suite |
Insistent rhythmic drive |
Kyrie Eleison |
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
mass |
|
|
Bach |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Concerto Grusso |
Insistent rhythmic drive |
Water music |
Handel |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Suite |
|
Fireworks |
Handel |
Polyphonic |
Baroque |
|
Suite |
|
Symphony #40 |
Mozart |
Homophonic |
Baroque |
|
Symphony |
|
Opera �Don Giovanni� |
Mozart |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Aria/opera |
|
Rondo alla Turka |
Mozart |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Sonata |
|
Requiem |
Mozart |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Mass |
|
Symphony #5 |
Beethoven |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Symphony |
|
Concerto #3 |
Beethoven |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Concerto |
|
Symphony #7 |
Beethoven |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Symphony |
|
Symphony #9 |
Beethoven |
Homophonic |
Classical |
|
Symphony |
|