Introduction to Music History and Literature

types of instruments

• woodwinds

• Brass

• Plucked

• Vocal

• String

• Keyboard

types of woodwinds

• clarinet

• oboe

• bassoon

• flute

• saxophone

double reed

Two halves of the reed vibrate against each other

types of brass

• Trumpet

• Trombone

• Tuba

• French Horn

types of string instruments

• violin

• viola

• violoncello

• double bass

word for plucking strings

pizzicato

word for using bow on strings

arco

Orchestra String Sections

• violin I (higher)

• violin II (low)

• viola

• violoncello

• double bass

Keyboard family

• organ- air is blown through organ pipes

• harpsicord- strings are plucked

• piano- strings are hit with hammers

Percussion

• Xylophone

• chimes

• timpani

• cymbals

• bass drum

• triangle

• gong

• tambourine

Plucked instruments

• harp

• guitar

• lute

• theorbo

vocal categories (female) high to low

• soprano

• mezzo-soprano

• alto

• contralto

vocal categories (male) high to low

• tenor

• baritone

• bass

Monophonic music

One main melody with no harmonies or accompaniment (Gregorian Chant)

Homophonic Music

One melody clearly dominates. This texture has harmony and / or accompaniment

Polyphonic Music

Two or more melodies sung or played at the same time and given equal importance.

Types of Music

• song

• ballad

• opera

song

Music and words (prose) together. Usually sung by a solo singer/vocalist, and is often relatively short

ballad

A vocal song that tells a story.

opera

The combination of sight, sound and action, the drama of great theater multiplied by glorious music, and beautiful voices. There is music, singing, acting, dance, scenery, make-up, and costume.

overture

An instrumental section whose function is to frame the drama with music, to announce the work's presence and to get the audience settled in their seats.

prelude

A short piece (usually instrumental) which introduces another work.

Recitative (Recit.)

Concerned with giving information and advancing the plot. Most often the accompanying instruments are intentionally less-busy, holding longer note values so as not to distract attention away from the vocalist and their story.

aria

A major solo song in an opera. Follows a recit.

Oratorio

Began in the church, not as part of a regular religious service, but rather as a separate event. Words and music designed both to educate and to entertain the congregation. Oratorios, like operas, have overtures, recitatives, arias, and choruses, but they are not staged; there is no scenery, dance, action, make-up, or costumes.

cantata

A vocal work based on a poetic religious text often composed for the particular day being celebrated. Like a miniature oratorio, with recitatives, arias, and choruses

sonata

An instrumental piece. A solo instrument with a keyboard accompaniment.

Concerto

One instrumental player (ex: violin/ piano) performs as the soloist with a symphony orchestra, giving both a large sound and a single sound.

symphony

A major orchestral form. Usually a work with 4 movements. A movement in music is like a chapter is to a book.

staff

5 horizontal lines on a sheet of music

ledger lines

lines through notes above or under the 5 horizontal lines that make up the staff

tempo

speed of the music

Adagio

very slow

andante

rather slow (walking tempo)

moderato

moderate

Allegro

fast

Presto

very fast

vivace

thriving, flourishing, full of life, similar to allegro

Ritardando (rit.)

gradually slower

accelerando

gradually faster, accelerating

rubato

variable tempo

A tempo

back to the original tempo (of the beginning)

molto

very much

non troppo

not too much

dynamic markings (soft)

• pianississmo- very very soft

• pianoissmo- very soft'

• piano- soft

dynamic markings (medium)

• mezzo- medium

• mezzo piano- medium soft

• mezzo forte- moderately loud

dynamic markings (loud)

• mezzo forte- moderately loud

• forte- loud

• fortissimo- very loud

• fortississimo- very very loud

ARPEGGIO

A broken chord (Each note of the chord played in succession, one at a time rather than together)

CADENCE

- The close or ending of a musical phrase (similar to the end of a sentence)

CADENZA

An elaborate solo passage with fancy embellishments to display the technical proficiency of a performer.

CODA

Literally “a tail”- the closing measures of a piece of music

FINE

The End

Theme

- A basis for an extended work

Motive

When a fragment of that theme is broken off but still stays identifiable (perhaps just a few notes).

Melody

- Melody is a series of notes heard one after the other. (Horizontal)

Harmony

- If melody is defined as tones heard one after another, then harmony is defined as tones heard together. When notes are heard in one block of sound, it is called a chord. (Vertical)

Phrase

musical statement after which it is natural for a breath or pause. A musical sentence.

Rhythm

The organization of beats

Timbre

tone color / sound color

Bass Clef Notes

• Great Big Dogs Fight Animals (lines)

• All Cows Eat Grass (Space)

Key signatures

If the composer wishes the same notes to be sharped # (or flatted) throughout the movement, then he/she will write a corresponding key signature at the beginning (located just next to the time signature).

Intervals

The distance between two notes is an interval.

Octave

when two notes are located eight notes apart.

Dissonant intervals

unpleasant on the ears

Consonant intervals

pleasing on the ears