Timbre - The Character of a Sound (Chapter 6)

Countertenor

A man who sings in a falsetto voice.

Diminuendo

A steady decrease in volume.

Vibrato

A subtle pulsating quality, caused by the very slight pitch change recurring in a rapid pattern, that is said to increase the expressiveness of a tone.

Tremolo

Backward and forward movement of the bow.

The Brass Section

Baritone (instrument), Horns, Trombones, Timpani, Bassoons, Tubas, Saxophones, Trumpets, Cornets.

Voices and Vocal Ranges

Chest Voice, Head Voice, and Middle Voice

SATB Choir

Choir that follows the standard division into sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses.

Piano Trio

Common from the Classical period on. Piano, violin, and cello.

String Quartet

Common from the Classical period on. Two violins, viola, and cello.

Trio Sonata

Common in the Baroque period. Two melodic instruments (often two violins or violin and flute) and basso continuo, making a total of four instruments.

String Quintet

Common in the Classical period; less common later. A string quartet plus either an extra viola or an extra cello.

Piano Quartet

Common in the Classical period; less common later. Piano, violin, viola, and cello.

Tutti (all)

Designation used to indicate that all instruments in an orchestra should play (as opposed to only solo instruments). A passage in which the full orchestra plays.

Mezzo-soprano

Female vocal range between alto and soprano.

Gamelan

General term for various types of Indonesian orchestras. Consist of mostly percussion instruments, including tuned gongs, xylophones, drums, chimes etc., and occasionally flutes, stringed instruments, and even vocalists.

Soprano

Highest-pitched female voice. In operas, sopranos usually play the lead female roles.

Pizzicato

In string instrument technique, this refers to plucking the strings rather than bowing them.

Sul ponticello

Indication for players to play near the bridge of the instrument.

Col legno

Indication for players to play with the wooden part of the bow.

Middle Voice

Lies between the two extremes of chest and head voice.

Forte (f)

Loud

Baritone

Male vocal range falling between tenor and bass.

Piano Quintet

Most common in the 19th century. Piano, two violins, viola, and cello. OR Piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Woodwind Quintet

Most common in the late 18th century and early 19th centuries, though there may be some 20th century examples as well. Flute, clarinet, oboe, French horn, and bassoon.

The Woodwind Section

Oboe = Soprano Bassoon = Bass Flute = Soprano Clarinet = Soprano and Tenor

Damper pedal (right pedal)

Prevents the dampers from returning to the strings, resulting in more sustained and blurry sonorities.

Piano (p)

Quiet (soft)

Harmonics (overtones or partials)

Related vibrations above the pitch of the fundamental.

Chest Voice

Resonance begins in the chest and is supported by the full power of the singer's lungs.

Head Voice

Resonance occurs primarily in the singer's head.

Una corda pedal (left pedal)

Shifts the hammers to a position where not all the strings for each note are struck, resulting in a thinner, less complex timbre.

Cadenza

Solo passage, often intended to be improvised, usually indicated by a fermata (hold mark) in the score. Many concerto movements call for a cadenza toward the end, although this practice fell into disuse in the later 19th century. Short cadenzas are also called for in many vocal pieces.

Mezzo-forte (mf)

Somewhat loud

Mezzo-piano (mp)

Somewhat quiet (soft)

Four Vocal Ranges

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass

Tenor

The highest male singing voice. In operas, tenors usually play the romantic lead.

Dynamics

The loudness or softness of music. Typically indicated by markings in the score, although they can be added by the performer as well.

Alto

The lowest female singing voice.

Bass

The lowest male singing voice. It is commonly used for authority figures in opera, and sometimes for villains.

Fundamental

The lowest-frequency vibration of a sounding tone, and the predominant part of the sound.

Timbre

The quality of sound that makes one instrument or voice distinguishable from another. Can greatly affect the mood or atmosphere of a piece of music. Relies on the intensity, order, and number of harmonics. Is affected by an incredibly complex set of factors.

Common Chamber Music Forms

Trio Sonata, String Quartet, String Quintet, Piano Trio, Piano Quartet, Piano Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, Chamber Orchestra

Chamber Orchestra

Used from the Baroque period on: all baroque orchestras were technically chamber orchestras by modern standards. Loosely defined as as small orchestra of 30 or fewer players, often containing only string instruments, or strings and a few winds.

Fortissimo (ff)

Very loud

Pianissimo (pp)

Very quiet (soft)

The String Section

Violin = Soprano Viola = Alto Cello = Tenor Bass = Bass