1004 music midterm

background shimmer, call & response, ostinato, polyrhythm, percussion

africa style traits

atoke, atsimewu, axatse, gankogui, kaganu, kidi, sogu

ewe (ghana)

small, boat-shaped iron bell commonly used in ewe drumming ensembles

atoke

tall, barrel shaped drum that is usually lead in ewe drumming ensembles

atsimewu

gourd shaker covered in a net of beads producing a rattling sound in ewe drumming ensembles

axatse

double bell instrumenting played with a stick to produce a clear, ringing sound. served primarily as timekeeper in ewe drumming ensembles

gankogui

small, talking drum used in ewe drumming ensemble

kaganu

medium sized drum often with markings/carvings. guides the tempo in ewe drumming ensembles

kidi

barrel drum played in ewe drumming ensembles used in supportive roles, sometimes acting as lead

sogo

birimintingo, griot, jali, kora, kumbengo

mande (mali)

specific playing technique used by kora players. it’s often improvised so the players can show off. it’s usually very quick and involves decorative elements to the music.

birimintingo

storyteller, historian, musician, and oral tradition keeper

griot

specific form of griot, used among mande peopl. storyteller, historian, musician, and oral tradition keeper

jali

large, 21 stringed instrument, played upright in mande ensembles

kora

repeating rhythmic pattern or ostinato played on the kora serving as the foundational melody or main theme of a kora piece

kumbengo

hosho, mbira, huro, mahon’era, vocables, bira

shona (zimbabwe)

provides a distinctive shaking sound and used to accompany vocal + shona drumming ensembles

hosho

wooden platform with metal keys attached, plucked with the thumbs. buzzing undertones.

mbira

variation of höömii. provides a higher-pitched, melodic vocal style

huro

contrasts with huro and complements the mbira. lower-pitched, rhythmic vocal system used in shona music.

mahon’era

meaningless sounds used in vocal music. do not carry meaning but used for musical and rhythmic qualities

vocables

traditional religious ceremony practiced among shona. communal event that involves singing + dancing

bira

fela kutti (afrobeats), thomas mapfumo (chimurenga)

important people - africa

heterophony, improvisation on modes, melisma, quarter tones, rhythms on beat patterns

middle east style traits

oud, firqa, iqa, maqam, ney, qanun, riqq, takht, taqsim, tarab, violin

arabic (egypt)

stringed instrument often described as warm and expressive

oud’

classical arab orchestra. includes a mix of different arabic instruments

firqa

rhythmic modes or patterns

iqa’

melodic mode or scale system

maqam

flute like instrument

ney

large, flat, trapezoidal shaped instrument with metal strings

qanun

handheld tambourine with wooden frame

riqq

arab ensemble that typically consists of small group with no conductor to guide

takht

form of improvisation in arabic music. based on the maqam system

taqsim

state of musical ecstasy experienced by musician and listener

tarab

small wooden instrument with 4 strings and a curved shape

violin

chahar mezrab, dastgah, gusheh, radif, tar

persian (iran)

technique focusing on fast melodic run showcasing performer’s skill with rapid finger movements

chahar mezrab

system of musical modes/scales. composed of series of pitches or notes often with specific ornamentation

dastgah

mode or melodic phrase with used within a dastgah. deeply emotional

gusheh

collection of traditional melodies that form the foundation for compositon and improvisation

radif

stringed instrument with long neck and pear shape. has a distinct hourglass body. typically has 6 strings.

tar

clarinet, klezmer, doina, portamento

jewish (ashkenazy + sephardic)

woodwind instrument in klezmer music. produces an expressive wailing and highly ornamented melodies

clarinet

style of jewish music that is highly expressive and dramatic. lots of different ashkenazi jewish instrumented used

klezmer

improvised, free rhythm melody that is highly expressive and melancholic. often accompanied by a flute

doina

continuous slide from 1 pitch to another rather than a jump. creates a fluid quality to the music. used to convey emotion and expressiveness

portamento

multiphonic singing, tone-contour melody

central asia style traits

dung-chen, kungling, nga chin, rgya-gling, rul-mo, dbyands, mantra, tanka

tibet

brass trumpet used in buddhist rituals, particularly in monasteries.

dung-chen

small straight metal horn with flared bell at the end. high pitched, clear, and used in rituals/prayers

kungling

often played in pairs as part of an ensembles and has a distinct rounded shape

nga chin

stringed instrument resembling guitar. strings usually made of metal/silk and accompanies songs/changes/dances

rgya-gling

made of bronze/brass and has a flat, circular shape with rimmed edge. looks like cymbals

rul-mo

vocal technique involving producing multiple pitches together

dbyangs

sacred sound, word, phrase that is repeated often in a ritual context

mantra

traditional form of japanese poetry

tanka

morin huur, hoomii, urtynn duu

mongolia

stringed instrument that has a distinct head shaped like horse. typically strings are made of horse hair

morin huur

throat singing style that involves producing multiple sounds at once without using an instrument

hoomii

long, drawn out melodies, free rhythm, and ornate vocal techniques

urtynn duu

monophony, heterophony, homophony, polyphony

4 types of musical texture

unique quality of sound that a musical instrument makes

timbre

general range of pitches found in a melody or vocal part

tessitura

musical texture that uses a single melody

monophony

musical texture where multiple voices simultaneously perform variations of a single melody

heterophony

musical texture where a primary melody is supported by a harmony

homophony

musical texture that occurs when multiple melodies are played together

polyphony