Comprehensive Music Theory, History, and Orchestration Review

A comprehensive study set of flashcards covering musical signs and terms, orchestral instrument families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion), the orchestra layout, historical music eras (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque), and core musical elements.

What does the Italian tempo and expression term 'accelerando' (abbreviated 'accel.') mean?

Gradually getting faster.

What does the musical term 'adagio' indicate?

Slow.

How is the performance instruction 'cantabile' defined?

In a singing style.

What do the repetition terms 'da capo' (D.C.) and 'dal segno' (D.S.) direct the musician to do?

'Da capo' (D.C.) means repeat from the beginning; 'dal segno' (D.S.) means repeat from the sign.

What do the dynamic directions 'crescendo' and 'decrescendo' (or 'diminuendo') indicate?

'Crescendo' means gradually getting louder, while 'decrescendo' (or 'diminuendo') means gradually getting softer.

What is the structural difference between a tie and a slur in musical notation?

A tie connects two of the same notes to hold them as one continuous note, whereas a slur connects different notes to indicate they must be performed smoothly (legato).

What does the metronome marking 'M.M. ♩ = 72' mean, and what does 'M.M.' stand for?

It indicates $72$ crotchet beats in a minute; 'M.M.' is short for Mälzel's Metronome.

What do the octave transposition markings '8va' and '8vb' instruct a player to do?

'8va' directs the player to perform the notes an octave higher; '8vb' directs the player to perform the notes an octave lower.

How are percussion instruments defined?

Instruments that make a sound when they are hit or shaken.

What is the functional difference between tuned and untuned percussion instruments?

Tuned percussion instruments have definite pitch and can be tuned, whereas untuned percussion instruments have indefinite pitch and cannot be tuned.

Which major percussion instruments of the orchestra are illustrated in this diagram?

Bass Drum, Timpani, Timbales, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, Cymbals, Chimes, Marimba, and Xylophone.

What is a membranophone?

Any musical instrument where sound is produced by means of a tightly stretched vibrating membrane, or skin.

What is a friction drum, and what traditional Dutch instrument belongs to this category?

A drum whose membrane is rubbed with wet fingers or a stick to produce sound; the Dutch Rommelpot is a friction drum.

What distinctive feature gives the snare drum (or side drum) its rattling sound?

Strings of metal stretched across its lower drumhead.

What are the structural features and country of origin of bongo drums?

They originate from Cuba, come in pairs, and are played with hands and fingers.

What is a kazoo and how does it function?

An open tube with a hole covered by a membrane that alters the sound of a person's voice; it is classified as a membranophone but is not a drum.

How do woodwind instruments produce sound?

By blowing wind through the instrument, either through a mouthpiece, across the edge of a hole, or using a vibrating reed.

What are the four primary orchestral woodwind instruments and their respective 'cousin' instruments?

Flute (cousin: Piccolo), Clarinet (cousin: Bass Clarinet), Oboe (cousin: English horn), and Bassoon (cousin: Contrabassoon).

What instruments make up the woodwind family as illustrated here?

Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, English horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, and Contrabassoon.

What are the three classifications of woodwinds based on their reed or mouthpiece mechanism?

1. Uses only a mouthpiece (e.g., flute, piccolo); 2. Single reed vibrating against a mouthpiece (e.g., clarinet, saxophone); 3. Double reed where two reeds vibrate against each other (e.g., oboe, English horn, bassoon, contrabassoon).

How does a brass player produce sound through a brass instrument?

By buzzing their lips together while blowing air into the mouthpiece of the brass tube.

Which four orchestral brass instruments are shown in this diagram?

Trombone, Trumpet, French horn, and Tuba.

Which instrument is the highest pitched in the brass family?

The trumpet.

What accessory can brass players insert into the bell to make their instrument quieter and softer?

A mute.

Which brass instrument's tone is notable for blending with almost any other instrument?

The French horn.

What prominent visual feature distinguishes the trombone from all other orchestral brass instruments?

Its movable slide.

What are the four core bowed instruments of the orchestral string family, and what is the orchestral solo plucked instrument?

Bowed instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass; Solo plucked instrument: Harp.

How do orchestral string instruments produce sound?

By drawing a bow across gut or wire strings stretched over a wooden body, or by plucking them.

What are two examples of non-orchestral string instruments mentioned in the curriculum?

Banjo and guitar.

According to the orchestral layout guide, where do the percussion and timpani sit?

At the very back row of the orchestra.

Where are the harp and first violins situated in the orchestra layout?

The harp occupies the smallest space on the far left, and the 1st violins sit at the front next to the harp.

Where do the violas, cellos, and double basses sit relative to the conductor?

The violas sit directly in front of the conductor, and the double basses sit behind the cellos on the right.

Where are the woodwinds positioned within the orchestral layout?

The flutes sit behind the violas to the left; the oboes sit next to the flutes; the bassoons sit directly behind the oboes; and the clarinets sit next to the bassoons in front of the horns.

What are the exact chronological dates of the Baroque musical era?

$1600\text{--}1750$.

What are the main musical characteristics of the Baroque era?

Baroque music is rhythmic, elaborate and grand, complex and detailed, embellished with ornaments, and dramatic.

Which keyboard instrument was iconic in the Baroque era?

The harpsichord.

What were the six popular musical forms during the Baroque era?

Fugue, concerto grosso, sinfonia, sonata, cantata, and oratorio.

Who are five famous composers of the Baroque era?

Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, Henry Purcell, and Johann Pachelbel.

What are the chronological dates and key stylistic traits of music in the Renaissance era?

Dates: $1400\text{--}1600$; traits: mostly vocal music, modal, a cappella with word painting, contrapuntal with imitation and antiphonal style, rich texture (four or more parts), blending rather than contrasting, influenced by dance, with no dynamic or emotional extremes.

What are the five standard choral sections of the Renaissance Mass, and what is its texture?

Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei; it is always polyphonic (two or more simultaneous melodies).

In the Renaissance era, what was the primary language difference between the sacred motet and the secular madrigal?

Sacred motets were sung in Latin, whereas secular madrigals were sung in the vernacular (e.g., English).

Who are six prominent composers from the Renaissance era?

William Byrd, Josquin Des Prez, John Dowland, Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Thomas Tallis.

What are five historical instruments developed and played during the Renaissance era?

Lute, vihuela, crumhorn, serpent, chirimia, viola da gamba, spinet (spin), and organ.

What historical time span defines the Medieval era, and why was music known as the 'language of God'?

c. $500\text{--}1450$; music was primarily found in places of worship and played an essential role in church services.

How was early Christian church music composed and performed in the Medieval era?

It was entirely vocal, composed as a single melodic line sung in unison without harmony, and used 'free rhythm' similar to speech.

How are melody, unison, and harmony defined in Medieval music theory?

Melody is the tune of a piece; unison is when people sing or play at the same pitch; harmony is the selection of notes put together to accompany or support the tune.

What were the five distinct voice sizes of the recorder used in Medieval consorts or solos?

Bass, tenor, treble, descant, and soprano.

What was the Medieval psaltery and how was it played?

A box-like instrument with strings stretched across it, plucked with a plectrum to accompany solo songs.

What is a hurdy-gurdy, and what is a musical drone?

A mechanical instrument placed on the knee where a turned wheel rubs strings to vibrate them; a drone is a continuous note sustained throughout a section or entire piece.

What are the functional parts of the Medieval bagpipes?

An animal-skin bag to hold air, a mouthpiece for breathing air into the bag, and a chanter pipe with finger holes used to play the melody.

What are the core musical elements represented by the mnemonics 'DR A SMITH' or 'MAD T-SHIRT'?

Dynamics, Rhythm, Articulation, Structure, Melody, Instrumentation / Sonority / Timbre, Texture, and Harmony / Tonality.

How are monophonic, homophonic, and polyphonic musical textures defined?

Monophonic: one melodic line without accompaniment; Homophonic: a main melody supported by chordal accompaniment; Polyphonic: more than one independent melodic line played simultaneously.

What does sonority (or timbre) describe in music analysis?

The distinctive quality, tone color, or sound of a specific voice or instrument.

What do the articulation terms 'legato', 'staccato', and 'pizzicato' mean?

'Legato' means smooth and joined; 'staccato' means short and detached; 'pizzicato' means plucked with fingers.

What does musical structure refer to, and what are three common examples?

The overall form or architectural plan of a piece of music; examples include Binary form ($AB$), Ternary form ($ABA$), and Song form (Verse, Chorus).