Music Test: Chapters 1-9
What are different text-setting styles a composer may use to express words?
A composer might express the words to a song in many ways. For instance, the composer might make the song syllabic, which is each syllable receiving a note. Further, the composer form the composition into a melismatic piece, which is a syllable elongated to many notes. Finally, a composer might make the song neumatic, which is a few notes to each syllable. In conclusion, the composer might make a song neumatic, melismatic, or syllabic to express words in a song.
How is a larger form constructed from small ideas in music?
A large form is constructed from several small ideas in music. For instance, form is derived from repetition and contrast. In addition, form also includes theme, which is the building block for a larger work. Theme is then expanded in rhythm, harmony, and melody. From there, theme is made up of an even smaller melodic-rhythmic movement called a motive. In sum, a large form in made up of numerous ideas.
How do composers vary rhythm and meter to keep the music interesting?
Composers will vary rhythm and meter in several ways in order to keep the compositions interesting. For instance, instead of doing the basic duple, triple, and quadruple meters, composers would include syncopation. This is a deliberate change in a normal pattern of meters. Also, in addition to altering the rhythm, composers may alter the meter. For example, some composers use compound meters in order to stray away from basic meters. Further, the composers may vary the rhythm and meter through adding accented beats. Finally, polyrhythm is a method of having rhythmic patterns conflict with the beat, and this technique is often used to transform the composition. In conclusion, rhythm and meter is often changed in order to keep the music fascinating.
How does dissonance make a listener feel? Why?
Dissonance is a combination of notes that sound unstable or harsh, and it introduces the conflict of the music. The listener would hear the harshness and most likely feel the tension building up. In conclusion, dissonance is a combination of notes that creates a feeling of tension for the listener.
How do dynamics affect our response to music?
Dynamics is the volume at which music is played, and it also affects our response to music. Similar to tempo, dynamics also impacts the emotional response. Also, dynamics can either be piano or forte, and these categories would directly impact the emotional response. For instance, if the music was soft, the listener would have a feeling of sadness or slowness. In sum, dynamics emotionally impact the composition.
Why do composers need to think about form in music?
Form is the structure and shape of a composition, and it is very prominent to any type of music. Composers need to think about form when creating music, since it the way elements are combined to make the work understandable to the listener. In addition, form needs to have repetition and contrast, and these fundamental elements satisfy interest in the music and feed desire for change and familiarity. In conclusion, composers need to think about form, since it provides unity and balance in the music.
What role does imitation play in determining musical texture?
Imitation is the combination of several different lines that give unity and shape to the texture. The melody is stated and then restated by another voice. Since imitation is the combination of several different parts, it is considered to have a polyphony texture. From there, the amount of different parts would identify if the texture is four part or ten part! In conclusion, all imitations have polyphony textures.
How is melody the horizontal concept while harmony is a vertical one?
Melody is considered the horizontal concept in music while harmony is the vertical one. First of all, melody is thought to be horizontal since the melody notes accompany the horizontal plane in a bar, and melody is the base of the music. In addition, harmony is considered to be the vertical concept in music. This is due to the fact that harmony accompanies the vertical plane in a musical bar as well as contains the chords. Moreover, harmony adds a layer of depth to the music, can increase the tempo of the composition, and perfectly complements the melody. Furthermore, similar to horizontal and vertical lines, both melody and harmony constantly influence each other. To conclude, melody is the horizontal concept in a composition, while harmony is the vertical.
How does tempo affect our response to music?
Tempo is the pace of the music, and it greatly affects our response to music. For instance, tempo impacts the emotions of the music, which would change the response. Further, a slow tempo usually associates with solemn and depressing music. In conclusion, tempo greatly impacts our response to music through emotions.
How does texture in music compare with the weave of a fabric?
Texture is very similar to the weave of a fabric. For instance, in texture, melodic lines, which could be considered various threads, make up a fabric, or the texture. Similarly, in a fabric, several different parts combine to make a whole, which is the same with texture. Further, texture is the interviewing of the melodic lines with the harmony. In sum, texture is like weaving fabric.
What makes a major scale different from a minor scale? How does each sound?
The major scale is a sequence of pitches that are most familiar to listeners, and it has a bright, cheery sound. On the other hand, the minor scale is the sadder, darker scale. The prominent difference between the two scales is the third note, which is flatted in the minor scale. In conclusion, the major and minor scales have very different sounds due to the third note.
What makes a melody particularly memorable?
The most memorable part of any melody is the climax. The climax is the peak in a melody, and it will strike the listener. Further, it is usually the highest point in both intensity and range. For instance, in The Star Spangled Banner, the point that makes the melody particularly unforgettable is the verse "O'er the land of the free". That single line sends shivers down my spine and is considered the climax of that specific song. In conclusion, the climax makes a melody truly remarkable and extraordinary.
What role does the performer play in expressing the music?
The performer plays a prominent role in expressing music. For instance, the performers have the final say in the tempo of the music. Also, the dynamics are somewhat decided by the performers, since different views of the music may occur when playing. To conclude, performers are able to transform tempo and dynamics of the music.
How does the structure of a melody compare with the form of a sentence?
The structure of a melody is very similar to a form of a sentence. For instance, both a sentence and a melody have a beginning and end. Every sentence has a subject, which begins it, and a predicate, which ends it. A melody also has beginning and descending notes. Further, both a melody and a sentence have separate parts which combine to create a cohesive thought. A sentence is heard as one unit, not a set of words. In music, a melody has pitches, which are also not expressed as separate notes, but as a single composition. In conclusion, a melody and a sentence are very alike.
Why do we perceive some chords as active and others as points of rest?
There are ginormous differences between active and rest chords. First of all, the tonic, or I chord, serve as a rest chord, and it is built on the first scale step. The rest chords are set against the active chords. On the other hand, active chords seek to be resolved by the rest chord. Further, it is the dynamic force in Western music as well as a forward direction. In sum, active and rest chords are very different.
Do you find rhythm in Western music to be simple or complex? Why?
Western music is very complex. Though the base rhythm may be more basic, the amount of elements and accents added in completely intensify and transform the rhythm. A technique used by Western composers is syncopation, or upsetting the normal pattern of meter, in order to stray away from a basic rhythm. This idea makes the Western music very complex and forms different levels in the music. In addition, varied Western music uses polyrhythm, or having rhythmic patterns conflict with an underlying beat, in order to spice up and add complexity to the composition. To conclude, Western music is very complex.
How can the text of a song help organize the tune?
When forming a song, many composers create the words before making the melody. Though there is no set method of creating a song, making the text before the melody is universally accepted. For instance, words flow like phrases and are punctuated, which is similar to melody. In sum, the text of a song may help in the creation of a melody.
monophonic
a single voice, melody is heard without any harmonic accompaniment or other melodic lines
chromatic scale
all 12 half steps that make up an octave
homorhythmic
all voices or lines move together in the same rhythm
consonance
an agreeable sounding combination of notes that provide relaxation or resolution
men
bass, barritone, tenor
largo
broad, very slow
woodwind
clarinet, saxophone, oboe, basoon, flute, piccolo, english form, recorder
dynamics
degrees of loudness and softness
range
distance between melody's highest and lowest points
syllabic
each syllable is elongated by many notes
allegro
fast, cheerful
duple meter
feeling of 2 (1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2)
triple meter
feeling of 3 (1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3)
quadruple meter
feeling of 4 (1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4)
brass
french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, horn, fluegle, baritone, cornet, bugle, sousaphone
percussion
glockenspiel, triangle, xylophone, bongos, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, maracas, bells, tambourine, rain stick, castonet
cresendo
gradually getting louder
decresendo
gradually getting softer
minor scale
incorporates a lowered 3rd note, makes it sound sad and dark, from A-A, whwwhw
additive
larger meter patterns, built with different combinations, nonwestern
virace
lively
forte
loud
polyphonic
many voiced, two or more different melodic lines are combined, texture based on counterpoint, one musical line against another
mezzo-forte
medium loud
mezzo-piano
medium soft
texture
melodic lines that make up the musical fabric of the piece
disjunct melody
melodies consisting of leaps, harder to sing
conjunct melody
melodies consisting of steps that are easier to sing
homophonic
melody that is accompanied by harmony or blocked chords
melodic contour
melody's rise and fall, all melodies do this
moderato
moderate (medium)
major scale
most familiar sequence of pitches, the happy key from C-C, whwwhww
rhythm
movement of a music in time
through composed
no main section of the music or text is repeated
keyboard
piano, organ, harpsicord
non-metric
pulse is weak, music flowing in a floating rhythm
timbre/tone color
quality of the sound of the melody
adagio
quite slow
strophic
same melody is repeated with each stanza of the text
harmony
simultaneous combination of sound determines the relationship of intervals and chords, creates unity
melismatic
single syllable is elongated by many notes
piano
soft
grave
solemn, very, very slow
women
soprano, mezzosoprano, alto, contralto
modulation
starting in one key and gradually transitioning to another
nonlexical
syllables or nonsense words
dissonance
the combination of notes that sound unstable and harsh, creates tension and drama
pitch
the highness/lowness of a piece, way we perceive frequency
tempo
the rate of the speed of the music
ternary form
three part form, extends the idea or statement by bringing back to the first section ABA
transpose
to write in one key, then write in another
binary form
two part form, statement without a return to the opening section. AB
presto
very fast
fortissimo
very loud
pianssmo
very soft
string
vilolin, viola, cello, guitar, upright base, harp, uke, monaloin, fiddle, banjo, lyre
andante
walking pace
