MUSI-3621 Exam 1 (1-7) - Slides Questions

These are questions made from the slides, not the textbook or verbal information from class

Melody Definition

Succession of generated frequencies perceived as a whole.

Melodies are usually singable and memorable

What are melodies referred to as in longer works?

themes

What are melodies/themes subject to?

variation and development

Definition of Pitch-Frequency

A specific sound expressed by name and vibrations per second

How many pitches are there?

12

What are the two modifiers of pitches?

sharps (#)

flats (b)

What is the definition of an Interval?

The distance between 2 pitches?

What are the ways intervals can be expressed comparatively?

small (narrow)

medium

large (wide)

What are the smallest distances between two notes?

half steps and whole steps, both are the basic material of scales and modes

What are the 7 intervals?

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

sixth

seventh

octave

Who observed the physical properties of vibrating bodies?

Pythagoras and Ptolemy

Cutting the length of a string…

doubles the vps

What did the Greeks associate music to?

Various emotions and mental states, as well as the highest sciences. Music was perceived as a gift from the gods and used in worship.

True or False?

The number of pitches used in a scale or melody has undergone change.

TRUE!

How many notes were originally used in a scale? Who standardized the system, and what did they standardize it to?

Until the Renaissance period, most systems utilized 5 and 7-note scales. Galileo and his contemporaries standardized it to 12.

Which 2 Greek gods were associated with different types of music?

Apollo and Dionysus

Who is Dionysus and what did he stand for?

He is the god of wine, and stands for:

Naturalistic life and philosophy

Birth of theatre

Sensuality, love, orgiastic worship

Associated with evocative, loud instruments

Satyrs, nymphs, Pan (pan pipes)

Who is Apollo and what did he stand for?

Apollo is a son of Zeus and the god of light, truth, archery, medicine, music, poetry, and prophetic vision. He is a master of the lyre

What do Dionysus and Apollo stand for in art/music?

Dionysus - emotions, the power of human feelings, the forces of nature expressed in art

Apollo - artistic expression of intellect, form, balance, and sophistication

The Greek Theatre at Delphi is called a…

Odeon theatre was often connected to temples

In Equal Temperament…

each half step interval is equidistant, derived by geometric sequence

What are the implications of Equal Temperament?

1. All 12 tones are equidistant

2. It facilitates modulation

3. large ensembles

Define Range

lowest/highest pitches or tones

Define Shape

graphic description (waves, arc, rising line)

Define Conjunct

motion by small interval (step)

Define Disjunct

motion by large interval (leap or skip)

Define Phrase

A significant portion of a melody, described by natural points of tension and/or resolution

What is a Countermelody?

A secondary melody that complements the main melody momentarily. It is not the main idea nor is it a background accompanying figure

Define Rhythm

A pattern of events organized in time

What are the 3 main time elements?

1. Beat

2. Meter

3. Measure

Define Beat

recurring underlying pulse

Define Meter

beats organized into repeating patterns of emphasized and de-emphasized beats

Define Measure

a delineation of a number of beats into a unit of 1,2,3,4 or more beats

What are the 6 most common meters in Western music?

2,3,4,6,9,12 beats per measure

How are meter or metrical patterns indicated?

By time signatures such as 2/4, 3/4, 5/4, 6/8, 2/2

What are the 4 notation seen of sheet music that are not notes or rests?

1. Measures or Bars

2. Measure lines or bar lines

3. Time signature

4. key signature

What does the top of the time signature tell you: ?/4

Tells you the number of beats per measure

What does the bottom part of the time signature tell you: (2,3,4,6..) / ?

Which note equals one beat.

2 - half note

4 - quarter note

8 - eighth note

What is the basic rule for conducting?

First beat is always down and last beat is always up.

What is a simple meter?

When beats are most naturally sub-divided in equal parts: 2/4, 4/4, 2/2.

What is a compound meter?

When beats are most naturally sub-divided in three parts: 6/8, 9/8, 12/8

Define Syncopation

use of unexpected accents, juxtaposed against a “regular” rhythm.

Define Polyrhythm

Layering of more than one rhythm at a time

Define Polymeter

Alternation between two different meters. Ex. Bernstein’s America

Define Tempo

speed of the beat

Define Harmony

The vertical aspect of music, where 2 or more tones sound simultaneously.

What is a triad?

Three notes that sound together. A 3-note chord built on thirds

How are chords built?

from putting together every other note in a scale, usually in groups of 3 or 4 notes.

Define Cadence

A progression of different chords; becomes popular and common in usage,

Define Scale

A series of tones arranged mostly stepwise

What are the two diatonic scales?

major and minor

What is a chromatic scale?

a series of tones a half-step apart

What is a whole tone scale?

A series of tones a whole step apart

Define Diatonic

of the tonic i.e. all pitches used are of the home key (no chosen from outside the specified major or minor scale)

Consonance —> [Blank]

Dissonance —-> [Blank]

Agreement

Disagreement

Dissonance creates [Blank], while Consonance creates [Blank]

Tension, Resolution

What are the 5 types of Musical Texture?

1. Monophony

2. Heterophony

3. Homophony

4. Polyphony

5. Monody

Define Monophony

One tone (pitch) at a time

Define Heterophony

2 voices describing the same melody with embellishment (variations of the same melody played together)

Define Homophony

2 or more voices move together in harmony (not independent); however at least one instrument/voice does not play the melody.

Define Polyphony

2 or more independent melodies occurring simultaneously

Define Monody

one dominant melody supported by instruments/voices

Define Counterpoint

like polyphony, where there are 2 or more independent melodic lines where harmonic context is preserved.

Define Retrograde

melodic fragment or motive stated backwards (reverse order)

Define Inversion

melodic fragment or motive stated with time values expanded

Define Diminution

melodic fragment or motive stated with time values shortened

Define Repetition

reflected in imitation, canon, improvisation based upon existing form

Define Contrast

relief from the main melodic idea, harmony, timbre (instrumentation)

Define Variation

disguised use of original or related materials

What are the characteristics of Form in Music?

1. Form is a musical road map

2. Sections usually get labels such as:

   1. letter names

   2. exposition, development, recapitulation

   3. first theme, second theme

3. Basic forms have names

What are the 4 basic forms?

Binary - AB (each section repeats)

Ternary - ABA

Rondo - ABACA or ABACADA

Sonata form

Define Theme

a melody or main idea; its smallest component is called a motive

Define Thematic Development

Manipulating a theme’s motives (small recognizable elements)

Define Sequence

Repetitions of a motive or theme at different pitch levels

Call and Response

leader and congregation (or ensemble) relationship

(Genre or Generic Forms) Symphony

A multi-movement orchestral work

(Genre or Generic Forms) Quintet, Quartet, Trio

a multi-movement chamber music work

(Genre or Generic Forms) Sonata

a multi-movement solo work

(Genre or Generic Forms) Symphonic Tone Poem

a one-movement programmatic orchestral work

(Genre or Generic Forms) Overture

a one-movement orchestral work

(Genre or Generic Forms) Movement

macroform portion of a larger work - typically follows a specific form (each stylistic period has formulaic associations)

Define Ostinato

A repetitive musical figure often underpinning a melody

Define Dynamics

Indicate gradations of volume

Define Duration

the length of time over which a note is maintained or sounded

Define Timbre

the qualitative color of a sound.

Define Timbre (color)

dictated by the size, shape, materials of an instrument, combination of instruments, or qualities imparted by the player

What are Woodwinds?

Instruments that were originally made of wood, that require air to be blows through a reed for it to be played.

ex. flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, horn , bassoon.

What are Brass Instruments?

Brass instruments are made of brass (obvi) but require vibrations from the mouth (not through a reed) to produce sound.

ex. trumpet, F horn, trombone, bass trombone, tuba

What are string instruments?

violin, viola, cello, strong bass

What are percussion instruments?

Instruments that make sound when they are struck, shaken, scraped, or rubbed. ex. snare drum, tambourine, marimba, xylophone, etc.

What are some other string instruments?

Harp, guitar, banjo, lute, ukulele.

What are common instruments that don’t fall into the main families?

Piano

Harpsichord - strings are plucked

Guitar

Organ

What are some of the different types of ensembles?

Chorus/Chorale, choir

Orchestras: String, Symphony, Chamber, Pit, Opera, Ballet

Concert Band

Rock band, Jazz band, Jazz Combo

Chamber Group