Music in Recital

aleatoric music

music that is created through computer algorithms; composition by chance

overtone series

a sequence of pitches that occur simultaneously with a fundamental note, where each overtone's frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental's frequency

sensual level of listening

the level of listening which is the surface impact of sound itself and the effect it has on the body

perceptual level of listening

the level of listening which includes the impact of sound on the body, but also how the sounds are related to one another

imaginal level of listening

the level of listening which includes the impact of sound on the body, how the sounds are related to one another, but also an anticipation of what might be coming next

texture

the relationship between the different voices/instruments within a piece of music; can be thick (dense) or thin (sparse)

monophony

simplest texture, consisting of a single, unaccompanied melody; can include more than one voice/instrument at multiple registers, but always the same melody

polyphony

texture of music which includes two or more melodies played simultaneously, both vying for attention; can be imitative or non-imitative

homophony

texture of music which includes a melody with accompaniment

melody

a coherent succession of pitches played/sung in rhythm; horizontal direction in music

range

the total span from the lowest to the highest pitch in a piece

intervals

the distance between two pitches; can be steps (two adjacent notes) or leaps (two non-adjacent notes)

modes

types of tonality; can be major, minor, atonal, or other

length

number of measures the melody consists of; can be long or short

cadence

the notes or chords ending a section of music; can be conclusive (terminal) or inconclusive (transient), strong or weak

direction

upwards and downwards motion in the melody

shape

whether the melody moves predominantly by step (smooth) or by leap (jagged)

register

relative placement of pitches from high to low

rhythm

aspects of music having to do with the duration of the notes in time

tempo

the speed of music

ritardando/rallentando

slows the tempo

accelerando

quickens the tempo

beat

grouping in music; can be strong or weak

simple beat

beat divided into two equal parts (duple, triple, quadruple)

compound beat

beat divided into three equal parts (duple, triple, quadruple)

irregular beat

beat divided into two and/or three equal parts(duple, triple, quadruple)

quality (rhythm)

aspects of rhythm

duration

length of the notes (quarter, eighth, whole)

articulation

how the notes are played; e.g. staccato (detached) or legato (smooth)

accents

a feeling of stress or weight given to a beat or rhythmic value; can be strong or weak and regular or irregular

rubato

pushing and pulling the tempo for effect; translates as "robbed time"

harmony

study of chords and chord relationships; vertical direction in music

structure

simple or complex

quality (harmony)

consonant or dissonant

consonant

intervals/chords that sound relatively stable and free of tension

dissonant

intervals/chords that sound unstable and relatively tense

tonality

whether or not the music sounds nice, basically

tonal

the feeling that one note (and its chord) is central to a piece of music

atonal

the absence of any feeling of tonality

density

thickness or thinness of the texture

modulation

changing the key within a piece; few or many, gradual or abrupt, usual or unusual

harmonic rhythm

the rate at which harmony changes within a piece of music; is often totally independent of the tempo

prominence

whether the harmony is mainly an accompaniment or the main content

timbre

the sonorous quality of a particular instrument, voice, or combination of the two

dynamics

indication as to volume or loudness

forte (f)

loud

piano (p)

soft

mezzo (m)

moderately

fortissimo (fff)

very loud

pianissimo (ppp)

very soft

crescendo (cresc)

get gradually louder

diminuendo (dim)

get gradually softer

largo

very slow

adagio

slow

andante

slow, but not too slow

moderato

moderate tempo

allegretto

fast, but not too fast

allegro

fast

presto

very fast

Strings Include

Violin, Viola, Violoncello (cello), Double bass

Violin

the soprano member of the string family

Viola

The alto member of the string family

Violoncello (Cello)

The tenor/baritone member of the strings family

Double Bass

The bass member of the string family

Arco

Sound produced by pulling a bow over the strings

Pizzicato

Plucking of the strings

Woodwinds include

Flute, Clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon

Flute

Sound produced by blowing over a hole in the instrument and putting down keys to get the different pitches, pitched very high, soprano flute is what we usually see, there is also alto and bass flutes

Clarinet

Single reed instrument, sound is produced by putting air through a mouth piece, allowing the reed to vibrate and produce sound, b flat is the most common, but there is also E - flat, A and bass clarinets

Saxophone

Considered more of a jazz instrument, single reed instrument, alto sax is most common, also soprano, tenor and bass saxs

Oboe

Double reed instrument, sound is produced by both reeds vibrating, sending energy and air into instrument producing sound, the oboe is considered a soprano instrument, lower pitches counterpart is and English horn

Bassoon

Double reed instrument, produced sound like oboe, lower pitched or bass double reed instrument, for comedic relief in orchestra

Brass includes

Trumpet, French horn, trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Trumpet

Sound produced by putting air through the tubing, pushing piston valves will shorten and lengthen the tubing produces higher and lower pitches, piccolo trumpet, although the C trumpet is also common,

French Horn

sound production similar to trumpet, uses rotary valves as opposed to piston valves to shorten and lengthen tubing, have a thumb trigger that changes the key of the horn, considered mezzo-soprano/alto brass instrument

Trombone

Sound production is similar to trumpet but higher and lower pitches are accomplished by using a slide to shorten and lengthen tubing, most common is the tenor trombone, some soprano, alto, base trombones - considered the tenor/baritone brass instruments

Euphonium

sound production is similar to trumpet, smaller and more portable version of the tuba - considered the baritone brass instrument

Tuba

Sound production is similar to trumpet although the valves are more similar to the French horn - tuba is considered the bass brass instrument

Percussion pitched

Marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, tympani, wood blocks, Pianos, harpsichords, harps are often considered part of the percussion family primarily because their role in the orchestra is generally a rhythmic one.

Percussion non pitched

Snare drums, tom-toms, cymbals, tambourines, maracas, triangle, cowbell

What is music

Organization of sound and can be composed or natural

Listening

To give attention or focus to someone or something in order to hear them

Hearing

To receive or become conscious of sound using your ears

Difference between listening and hearing

Level of activity and engagement, level of cognition and level of skill development

Ways to perceive and hear music

sensual, perceptual and imaginal

Timbre

The sonorous quality of a particular instrument, voice or combination of the two

Dynamic

Indication of volume or loudness

Tempo Indication

The tempo of the piece can be indicated by metronome marking or terms

Binary Form

Common in dances of the Baroque period, binary form movements are written in two sections, each repeated. Repeat signs are as noted as follows |: section of music :| then AB structure that is preformed AABB

Rounded Binary

Variant of binary form, the B section of binary form is ended with a repetition of the A theme

|:A:| |:B:| - A A BA BA

Ternary Form

ABA, simple principle of presentation of a theme, a second or contrasting theme, followed by a return of the first theme, the contrasting B theme will also emphasize a different key than A theme

Found in the Da Capo Aria, in instrumental genres, the Minuet and Trio or Scherzo and Trio

Rondo

ancient musical structure which a return continually alternates with contrasting material

A B A B A

A B A C A

A B A C A B A

General style of this movement is typical of the lively rondo and tends to be lighter and more jovial in spirit than does a movement in sonata allegro form