CIE IGCSE Music

When was the Baroque Period?

1600-1750

Give examples of Baroque composers

Bach

Vivaldi

Monteverdi

Corelli

etc.

Features of Baroque Period

Harpsichord

Terraced Dynamics

String Dominated

Small orchestra

Polyphonic

Many ornaments

Basso continuo

What is polyphony?

Two or more simultaneous melodic lines

What is a concerto?

A musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra.

How many movements does a concerto have?

3

Moderate/ Fast -> Slow -> Fast/ Really fast

What is a concerto grosso?

A musical composition for a group of solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra

What is basso continuo?

An improvised accompaniment usually played by the keyboard or bass instruments

What is figured bass?

A musical notation, that tells the player which chords to play- usually written for the harpsichord

What is ground bass?

The repetition of the bass line

Features of a baroque orchestra

Small (Chamber orchestra)- 10 to 30

String dominated

Name the instruments in the baroque orchestra

Strings- Violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass

Woodwinds- Wooden flute, Oboe, Bassoon

Brass- Trumpets or Horns (without valves)

Percussion- Timpani (Kettledrum)

Continuo- Harpsichord/ Organ

Features of a Minuet

3/4 time

Medium tempo

(only type of dance that continued in the classical period)

Features of a Waltz

3/4 time

Fast tempo

Lyrical Melody

Oom Cha Cha rhythm/ pattern

Features of a March

2/4 or 4/4

Strong accent on first beat

What is an opera?

A story acted out with singers and the orchestra accompanying it

What is a recitative?

A speech-like manner of singing

What is an aria?

A piece for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment

What is an oratorio?

A sacred choral work- no drama/ costume/ scenery

When was the Classical period?

1750-1820

Give examples of classical composers

Mozart

Haydn

Beethoven

etc.

Features of classical period

Balanced phrases/ melodies

Simple harmonies/ diatonic

Clarinet- new instrument

Alberti bass

Homophonic

Bigger orchestra than the baroque

More variety in dynamics

More frequent changes in mood

What is homophony?

Melody and accompaniment

What is a symphony?

An extended orchestral piece

How many movements does a symphony have?

4

Fast (sonata form) -> Slow -> Minuet -> Very fast

What is binary form, and which style has this form?

AABB

Most dances and concertos are in binary form

What is ternary form, and which style has this form?

ABA

Most symphonies are in ternary form

What is rondo form, and which style has this form?

ABACA, ABACABA

Most chamber music are in rondo form

What is chamber music?

Music for small ensembles

What is a sonata?

A composition for a soloist with the first movement being in sonata form

What is sonata form?

A musical structure which includes 3 sections: Exposition, Development, Recapitulation

Explain the Exposition

1st subject- Tonic key, Theme 1

Bridge- Modulation

2nd subject- Dominant or relative minor, Theme 2

(Expositions are usually repeated)

Explain the Development

A short section which is based on one of the subjects in the exposition

Explain the Recapitulation

1st subject- Tonic key, Theme 1

Bridge- No modulation

2nd subject- Tonic key, Theme 2

Features of a classical orchestra

Larger than baroque (50-60)

Larger woodwind

Larger brass

New instrument- Clarinet

Name the instruments in the classical orchestra

Strings- Violin (20), Viola(8), Cello(6), Double bass(4)

Woodwinds- Flute (2), Clarinet (2), Oboe (2), Bassoon (2)

Brass- Trumpet (2), French horn (2)

Percussion- Timpani (2), Piano

Give examples of Romantic Composers

Chopin

Tchaikovsky

Brahms

Puccini

Listz

Mendelssohn

(Beethoven)

When was the Romantic Period?

1820-1900

Features of Romantic Period

Large orchestra

Freedom of tempo/ rubato

Dramatic dynamics (contrast)

Virtuosic

Melodic pieces

Thick chords

Chromaticism (moving to unrelated keys)

Features of a romantic orchestra

Large orchestra (100+)

Larger brass and percussion section

Greater use of piano

What texture should you usually expect in World Music

Heterophonic

What is heterophony?

The simultaneous variation of a single melody line

Name the Indian instruments

Sitar

Bansuri

Sarangi

Tabla

Describe the Sitar (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Stringed instrument- 7 strings, Melody

Method: Plucked with metal plectrum

Material: Made out of Wood and metal for strings

Timbre: Metallic

Other info: Can pitch bend and gliss, Movable frets

Describe the Bansuri (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Woodwind instrument, Melody

Method: Blowed

Material: Wood

Timbre: Breathy

Describe the Sarangi (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Stringed instrument, Melody

Method: Bowed

Material: Wood and Steel

Timbre: Smooth

Other info: Can gliss

Describe the Tabla (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Percussion, Rhythm

Method: Hitting

Material: Wood, Clay or Metal

Timbre: Resonant

What is a drone?

Sustained pitch or long held notes which provides harmonic support

Which instrument plays the tala?

Tabla

Features of Indian melody

Improvisation

Many ornaments

Raga (scale)

Tala (rhythm)

Free time

Pitch bend

Small number of instruments

Name the Chinese instruments

Ch'in

Dizi

Erh-hu

Describe the Ch'in (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Stringed instrument- 7 string

Method: Plucked using a pick

Material: Wood

Timbre: Resonant

Other info: Quiet

Describe the Dizi (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Woodwind instrument

Method: Blowed horizontally

Material: Bamboo

Timbre: Bright

Other info: Has a reed

Describe the Erh-hu (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Stringed instrument

Method: Bowed, held vertically

Material: Wood, Horsehair (bow)

Timbre: Resonant, Mellow

Other info: Used for solo or ensemble

Features of Chinese music

Uses the Pentatonic scale

No dissonance

No chordal harmony

Often improvised

Heterophonic and Monophonic

What is the Pentatonic scale

A five note scale- uses the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th & 6th of the major scale

What is Monophony?

Single line of music

Name the Japanese instruments

Koto

Shakuhachi

Sho

Describe the Koto (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Stringed instrument- 13 strings, accompaniment

Method: Plucked with plectrums

Material: Wood

Timbre: Twangy, Focused

Other info: Used in gagaku as an accompaniment

Describe the Shakuhachi (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Woodwind instrument

Method: Blowed vertically

Material: Bamboo

Timbre: Breathy

Other info: Not used in gagaku but was later used in ensembles

Describe the Sho (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Woodwind instrument

Method: Blowed

Material: Bamboo

Timbre: Piercing

Other info: Used in gagaku

Features of Japanese music

No chordal harmony

Through-composed (succession of new ideas which don't depend on repeated phrases)

Melodic parts start at different times

Give 2 types of Caribbean music

Reggae and Calypso

Where is Reggae from?

Jamaica

Give examples of Reggae artists

Bob Marley

Peter Tosh

Burning Spear

Dennis Brown

Features of Reggae music

Voice- injustice and Rastafarianism

Syncopation

Repetition

Emphasis on off beat

4/4

Moderato

Polyrhythms

Riff- syncopated

Melody and Accompaniment

No dynamic change

Name the instruments used in Reggae

Voice (+ backing)

Keyboard

Electric guitar

Bass

Drums

Trumpet

Trombone

French horn

Saxophone

Congas

Bongos

Tambourines

etc.

Where is Calypso from?

Trinidad and Tobago

Name the instruments used in Calypso

Voice (+ backing)

Steel pans

Piano/ Synthesisers

Clarinet

Saxophone

Electric and Acoustic guitar

Maracas

Drums

Features of Calypso music

Syncopation

Polyrhythms

Major

Verse-chorus form (AABC)

When was the 20th Century?

1900-2000

Give examples of the types of music in the 20th Century

Impressionism

Serialism

Neo-classicism

Minimalism

Jazz

Give examples of Impressionism composers

Debussy

Ravel

Satie

Features of Impressionism

Use of Whole tone scales and Pentatonic scales

Unresolved cadences

Extended chords

Give an example of a Neo-classicism composer

Stravinsky

Features of Neo-classicism

Wind dominated

Sudden melodic twists

Abrupt modulation

Dissonances

Give examples of Minimalist composers

Steve Reich

John Cage

Features of Minimalism

Contrapuntal

Broken Chords

Note Addition

Give an example of a Jazz composer

Gershwin

Features of Jazz

(Collective) Improvisation

Syncopation

Blue notes

Brass mute

Swing rhythm

Walking bass

What is Swing?

Uneven quaver movements

What is syncopation?

When beats are emphasised on off-beats

What are Blue notes?

Flattened 3rd, 5th and 7th

Name the instruments used in Jazz

Common- Trumpet, Trombone, Clarinet, Piano, Double bass, Saxophones, Drums

May hear- Banjo, Electric guitar, Bass guitar, Synthesiser, Tuba

Where is Gamelan from?

Indonesia (Java/ Bali)

Name the Gamelan Instrument

Kemple

Big gong

Small gong

Saron

Kendang

Kenong

Bonang

What role does the Saron have?

Plays the main melody

What role does the big gong have?

Plays at the end of a cycle

Features of Gamelan

Heterophonic

Use of Pelog (7 note scale) or Slendro (5 note scale)

The tempo is not constant

Where is Tango from?

Argentina

Name the instruments in Tango

Bandoneon (accordion)

Voice

Guitars

Violin

Flute

Clarinet

Piano

Viola

Cello

Double bass

Features of Tango

2/4 or 4/4

Uses the Habanera rhythm

Drama and intensity in dynamics and articulation

Contrast using legatos and staccatos

Usually minor (but has a major section in between)

Glissando and portamentos

Where is Son from?

Cuba

Name the instruments used in Cuban Son

Tres/ Guitar

Bongos

Maracas

Guiro

Claves

Congas

Double bass

Voice

Piano

Trumpet

Features of Cuban Son

Clave rhythms

Bongo rhythm

Syncopated brass pattern

Call and response singing

Syncopation

Where does Andean music come from?

Bolivia, Peru

Instruments used in andean music

Charango- Bolivia

Pan pipes- Peru

Guitar

Percussion

Describe the Charango (type, timbre, material...)

Type: String instrument

Method: Plucked

Material: Wood

Timbre: Tight, refined

Describe the Pan Pipes (type, timbre, material...)

Type: Woodwind instrument

Method: Blowed

Material: Bamboo

Timbre: Breathy

Features of andean music

Syncopation

Lively

Fast

Repetition