MUS 206 Aponte Exam 1

Ethnomusicology

the study of music in culture

B. Wade

"Thinking about me"

What is music?

human organized sound

What is sound?

energy that can be measured in decimals, vibrations

Are all sounds musical?

depends on the person & how they think/feel

What is the meaning of music?

music is a universal language, meaning is not.

music

humanly pattered or organized

culture

people's way of life, learned, and transmitted through centuries to the natural and human world

difference between culture and nature?

culture is adaptive (Tarzan)

nature is given (race, gender, etc.)

music-culture

group's total involvement w/ musics

ideas, actions, institutions, EVERYTHING has to do with music

ethnocentric

evaluating others cultures according to the standards of one's own culture

roles of music

pleasure, therapeutical, communication, work

rhythm

beat, ESSENTIAL. What keeps it going!

patterns

soft & loud, long & short, etc.

tempo

fast/slow

meter

rhythmic patterns (strict, relaxed)

polyrhythm

simultaneous occurrence of several rhythms (ex. clapping hands in class)

polymeter

simultaneous presence of two different metrical systems

melody

successions of tones in a particular rhythm (main tune, what you sing)

pitch

a.k.a. frequency, highness/lowness of the sound

interval

difference between the vibrations of the note or pitches (playing a key on the piano makes something vibrate inside)

timbre

perceived sound quality of a musical note, sound, or tone that distinguishes the different types of sound (flute vs guitar)

what hormone is associated with pleasure and addictions that is given off while listening to music?

dopamine

loudness (volume/dynamic level)

auditory sound

contour (shape)

function or curve that tracks the perceived pitch of sound (ohhh sayyy can you seeeee)

range

difference between the highest and lowest range of music

organization of sound (scales)

what sounds in/out of tune

organized? sounds good in the song

doesn't sound good? organized outside the musical song

tuva throat singing

making different pitches with your throat

harmony

simultaneous sounding of pitches/msic that accompanies melodies

texture

interaction of sounds, melodies, and chords

what are the 4 types of textures?

monophonic

heterophonic

polyphonic

homophonic/chords

monophonic

1 melody, # of people/instruments does NOT matter

heterophonic

1 melody, different variations of the sounds involved

polyphonic

2+ melodies, similar sound, but different

homophonic/chords

1 melody, same sound, multiple tones @ same time

(3 corresponding notes on piano)

form

structural arrangement, patterns of organization in rhythm, melody, harmony

repetition

same

variation

a little different, but relating

contrast

completely different

The Language You Cry In

a case study in music ethnography

story of memory, how memory of a family was pieced together through the song

powwow indians

native americans, how most people understand native american culture

native american women

highly respected due to bringing life into the world

native american music

part of their daily life, oral tradition, usually vocal, but some drums and instruments can be involved

sioux grass dance

war dance

musical medium & timbre: high pitch (falsetto) and dives down (portamento)

vocables

no translatable meaning (ehh)

general form of sioux grass dance

different sections w/ solo and group singing

zuni lullaby

descending sound

defending sounds normally do what?

relaxes you

what makes the zuni lullaby a lullaby?

lyrics say, "little rat" an affectionate term in this culture

the navajo

largest american-indian tribe in the usa

what does the navajo do mostly?

farming, raising stock, weaving, silversmithing, natural resources

how does the navajo culture dress?

european-american style with lots of jewelry

what are log hogans?

ranch homes, trailer homes, and one-room homes

navajo music-culture

traditional ceremonial music (religious, traditional practices)

yeibichai songs

sung in vocables, but identifies with navajo gods (yeibichai)

yeibichai culture

when you're living you're respected, but when you die you're even more respected because you've transcended to the gods