Pythagoras 582-507 BC
Observed the harmonic series
Formulated the diatonic scale
Established early rules of harmony
Note - a tone used in music with attributes of pitch, time, amplitude, timbre, etc.
Interval - distance between two notes.
Melody - a series of musical notes.
Melodic shape - the general outline of a melody.
Phrase - a subdivision of a melody.
Cadence - feeling of finality at the end of a phrase or melody.
Harmony - rules for combining notes at the same time.
Consonance - pleasant sounding
Dissonance - clashing
Tonality - organization of harmony around a tonic or key.
Chord - three or more notes sounded together.
Triad - a chord of three notes.
Tonic (I)- chord built on the 1st note of the scale. Sense of rest.
Subdominant (IV) - chord built on the 4th of the scale.
Dominant (V) - chord built on the 5th of the scale. Usually followed by I
Scales terms:
Diatonic - 7 notes scale
Chromatic - 12 note scale, all half steps
Pentatonic - 5 note scale
Whole Tone scale - a scale of all whole steps (6 notes)
Major - where the 3rd is higher
Minor - where the 3rd is lower
Syllables - do re mi fa so la ti
Rhythm - pattern of when notes occur in time.
Meter - organization of rhythm into regular time intervals.
Time Signature - defines the musical meter for a measure
Beat - a rhythmic pulse
Measure - space between barlines
Upbeat - occurring before the downbeat
Downbeat - first beat of the measure
Offbeat - occurring between strong beats
Duple meter - in 2 or 4 Example 1
Triple meter - in 3 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
Syncopation - rhythm emphasizing weak beats, offset rhythm Example
Tempi: (Fastest to slowest
Presto
Vivace
Allegro
Allegretto
Moderato
Andante
Adagio
Largo
Lento
Dynamics: (Loudest to softest)
fortissimo ff
forte f
mezzo forte mf
mezzo piano mp
piano p
pianissimo pp
crescendo < (growing louder)
diminuendo > (getting softer)
Instrumental performance terms:
Staccato - Short articulation of notes
Vibrato - vibrating the pitch
Pizzicato - plucking the strings
Col Legno - hitting the bow stick on strings
Mute (Sordino) - device that muffles the sound
Tremolo - shaking sound
Trill - fast alternating steps
Harmonics
********* Instruments of the The Symphony Orchestra *******
Strings
upper
Violin
Viola
lower
Cello
Double Bass
Woodwinds
upper
Piccolo
Flute Baroque Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
lower
Bassoon
Brass
upper
Trumpet
French Horn
lower
Trombone
Tuba
Percussion
Timpani are low, used the most in classical symphonies.
********** Keyboard Instruments **********
Organ
Harpsichord
Clavichord
Piano Keyboard evolution part 1 Keyboard evolution part 2
********** ENSEMBLES **********
Bands have been around a very long time
and definitions for a band are fairly loose.
Generally they consist of non-strings. (Winds, Brass, Percussion)
Chorus - know the term "a cappella"
Voices
female
Soprano
Mezzo Soprano
Alto
male
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Symphony Orchestra
(1750s on) and are distinguished by the strings.
The 4 major families in the symphony orchestra are:
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion
******* IMPORTANT CHAMBER ENSEMBLES ********
String Quartet
1st Violin
2nd Violin
Viola
Cello
Piano Trio
Violin
Cello
Piano
Woodwind Quintet
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
French horn
Brass Quintet
1st Trumpet
2nd Trumpet
French horn
Trombone
Tuba
The String Quartet is the most important of these.
Chamber orchestra - has no strict definition in size, but is generally smaller than 30
members, with the same instrument groups as a symphony.
********** MUSICAL TEXTURES **********
Monophonic - a single part or line of music;
Best example is chant. graphic
Monody - A single voice with simple chordal accompaniment.
Example: Recitative graphic
Homophonic - A melody with harmony which moves with the melody.
Examples: Chorales, hymns. graphic
Polyphonic - multiple parts, each one being independent;
A good example is the Motet. graphic
Imitation is frequently a device used in polyphonic music.
Fugues, Canons, Rounds are all imitative forms.