music appreciation chapter 5

The quality of sound that is characteristic of a particular voice, instrument, or ensemble is called its

timbre

Timbre is largely determined by

the shape of the sound waves produced by a voice or instrument

Timbre can be affected by

the material from which an instrument is made, the frequency of a particular pitch, the manner in which an instrument is played

Modern composers have expanded the range of acceptable, "musical" timbres to include

both mechanical and natural sounds

low female voice

contralto

medium female voice

mezzosoprano

high female voice

soprano

medium male voice

baritone

low male voice

bass

high male voice

tenor

The four families of instruments within an orchestra are the

strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion

Instruments in the string family may be played in the following ways

tapping with the wood side of the bow, drawing a bow across the bridge, plucking the strings with the fingers

The stringed instrument in the orchestra that is always plucked is the

harp

The _ family includes the piccolo, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, and bassoon.

woodwind

Included in the _ family are the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba.

brass

The brass instruments have _.

cupped mouthpieces and flared bells

3 percussion instruments that produce definite pitches include the

timpani, chimes, xylophone

4 percussion instruments that produce indefinite pitches include the

tambourine, triangle, cymbals, drums

When the key of a harpsichord is depressed, a small piece called the _ plucks one of the strings.

plectrum

The harpsichord was of great importance during the __ centuries.

16th, 17th, 18th

The piano is technically a _ instrument, since depressing the keys causes hammers inside the piano to strike the strings.

percussion

The __ of the piano allows the pianist to sustain tones after the keys have been lifted

damper pedal

Compared to the harpsichord, the piano allows the performer to play

with a wider range of dynamic levels

The _ is a keyboard instrument whose tones are produced by wind going through sets of pipes of various lengths and materials

pipe organ

The pipe organ is known as the _.

"king of instruments"

The adjusting levers, buttons, or handles on an organ are called _.

stops

An electronic instrument that can produce an unlimited variety of sounds as well as modify sounds produced by other sources is the

synthesizer

_ is a recently developed system that allows musicians and composers to control synthesizers, sound modules, and drum machines from a computer.

MIDI