Music Appreciation Notes

Music Appreciation Class 1

Date: 12/05/25
Overview: Introduction to the core concepts of music as an art form and cultural activity, primarily focusing on sound.

Basic Elements of Music

  • Rhythm:

    • Definition: A group of beats.

  • Melody:

    • Definition: The main tune of a song.

  • Harmony:

    • Definition: The rest of the music that accompanies the melody.

  • Timbre:

    • Definition: The quality or color of sound that differentiates different types of sound production.

    • Importance: Identifies how different instruments/voices sound when playing the same note.

    • It can change with techniques such as vibratos and mutes, even if the frequency remains the same.

Characteristics of Sound

  • Pitch:

    • Definition: Frequency of sound, determining if it is high or low.

  • Noise:

    • Definition: Unrefined vibrations that do not produce a definite pitch.

  • Dynamics:

    • Definition: The volume of sound, which ranges from soft to loud.

    • Composers use specific Italian terms to indicate dynamics of performance:

    • Pianissimo (pp): Very soft

    • Piano (p): Soft

    • Mezzo Piano (mp): Moderately soft

    • Mezzo Forte (mf): Moderately loud

    • Forte (f): Loud

    • Fortissimo (ff): Very loud

Duration

  • Definition: The length of time a pitch is played, including silence.

  • Notes:

    • Indicate which pitches to play and how to play them.

    • Longer durations often imply simple notes, while shorter durations can present more difficulty.

  • Rests:

    • Definition: Silence within music.

Accent

  • Definition: Stressing a note by playing it louder than other notes.

Rhythm

  • Concept: Ordering of music through time.

  • Beat:

    • Definition: Basic unit for measuring time in music.

  • Meter:

    • Definition: The underlying pattern of beats that is consistently maintained.

    • Example: Triple meter consists of beats grouped in threes, emphasizing the first beat.

  • Measure: Each unit of beats within a meter, which can vary in number and duration of notes.

Syncopation

  • Definition: Accents occurring at unexpected moments, creating rhythmic surprise.

Melody

  • Definition: A single line of notes heard in succession as a coherent entity.

  • Breaths: Correspond with pauses at the end of musical phrases, similar to breathing pauses in poetry.

  • Cadences:

    • Definition: Points of arrival or rest in music, similar to periods in written sentences.

  • Melodic Motion:

    • Can occur through stepwise movements (conjunct) or leaps (disjunct); often a combination of both.

  • Contour:

    • Definition: The overall direction, upwards or downwards, that a melody takes.

Tempo

  • Definition: The speed of the music.

  • Terms:

    • Largo: Slow and broad

    • Adagio: Slow

    • Andante: At a walking pace

    • Moderato: Moderate speed

    • Allegro: Fast and lively

    • Vivace: Very fast

    • Presto: Extremely fast

Music Appreciation Class 2

Date: 12/08/25
Overview: Exploration of musical keys, scales, time signatures, modes, and harmony.

Musical Keys

  • Definition: There are 7 different keys in music: A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

Time Signature

  • Definition: Indicates how to count music.

    • Top Number: Denotes the meter (number of beats in a measure).

    • Bottom Number: Indicates which note value represents one beat.

Scales

  • Definition: A collection of pitches assembled in order.

  • Diatonic Scale:

    • Consists of 8 pitches arranged with whole and half steps in a specific sequence.

  • Octave:

    • Definition: A pitch that is duplicated at a higher or lower frequency (e.g., A to A, B to B).

  • Chromatic Scale:

    • Consists of 12 pitches that include all half steps within an octave, representing every key on the piano.

  • Half Step:

    • Definition: Movement from one pitch to the very next, with no intervening pitches.

  • Whole Step:

    • Definition: Movement equivalent to two half steps.

Tonic and Key

  • Tonic:

    • Definition: The beginning note of the scale, considered the most important note, defining the key's name.

  • Key:

    • Named based upon the tonic note and can be categorized as either major or minor.

Modes

  • Major and Minor:

    • Define the mood and character of the scale.

    • Major: Typically perceived as bright and happy.

    • Minor: Often described as somber, dark, and less optimistic.

Harmony

  • Definition: The simultaneous sounding of at least two pitches.

    • Consonant: Chords or intervals that are smooth and pleasing to the ear.

    • Dissonant: Chords that are harsh and rough, often requiring resolution to consonant harmonies.

  • Triad:

    • Definition: A three-note chord typically played as a unit. Not necessarily at the same time.

Modulation

  • Definition: The process of changing from one key to another within a piece of music.

Genre

  • Definition: The category into which a musical work is classified, e.g., opera, symphonic, choral, jazz, country, etc.

Texture

  • Monophonic:

    • Definition: Music comprising one note at a time.

  • Homophonic:

    • Definition: Music featuring one main melody supported by harmonic accompaniment; predominant in contemporary music.

  • Polyphonic:

    • Definition: Music that consists of multiple independent melodies that harmonize together.

    • Imitative Polyphony: Repeated melodic lines that imitate each other.

    • Non-imitative Polyphony: Multiple distinct melodies that do not imitate each other but harmonize.

Instruments

  • Types:

    • Orchestral Instruments: Instruments typically part of the orchestra.

    • Non-Orchestral Instruments: Instruments that are not traditionally found in an orchestra.

    • Changes in tone/timbre of instruments can occur and can indeed be manipulated.

Orchestra

String Family

  • Instruments (from higher to lower pitch):

    • Violin

    • Viola

    • Cello

    • Double Bass

String Terms

  • Arco:

    • Definition: To play a string instrument with a bow.

  • Pizzicato:

    • Definition: To pluck the strings of the instrument.

  • Double Stop:

    • Definition: To play two strings simultaneously, generally achieved with the bow or by plucking.

Woodwind Family

  • Higher sounding to lowest sounding instruments:

    • Piccolo

    • Flute

    • Clarinet (single reed)

    • Oboe

    • English Horn

    • Bassoon

    • Contrabassoon

  • Note: The saxophone is categorized as a woodwind instrument, not brass, invented by Adolphe Sax.

Brass Family

  • Instruments (from highest to lowest pitch):

    • Piccolo Trumpet

    • Trumpet

    • French Horn

    • Trombone

    • Tuba

    • Note: Brass instruments are among the loudest in the orchestra, specifically designed for volume.

Percussion Family

  • Unpitched Instruments:

    • Tambourine

    • Cymbals

    • Triangle

    • Snare Drum

  • Pitched Instruments:

    • Timpani

    • Chimes

    • Xylophones

    • Marimba

Vocal Range

  • Categories (from highest to lowest):

    • Soprano

    • Mezzo-Soprano

    • Alto

    • Tenor

    • Baritone

    • Bass

Non-Orchestral Instruments

Keyboard Instruments

  • Include:

    • Harpsichord

    • Piano

    • Organ

Music Appreciation Class 3

Date: 12/10/2025
Overview: Discussion of orchestral roles, musical mediums, and the history of the piano.

Conductor and Concert Master

  • Conductor: The leader of the orchestra who directs the performance.

  • Concert Master: The principal violinist who leads the string section and tunes the orchestra.

Performance Medium

  • Definition: The means through which music is produced.

  • Can be original, meaning playing the music intended by the composer, or through transcription/arrangement, which involves adapting music for different instruments.

Orchestra Size

  • Typical Size: An orchestra generally comprises around 165 members and performs approximately 195 concerts annually.

Music Appreciation Class 4

Date: 12/12/25
Overview: Focused on jazz ensembles, performing mediums, and various musical forms.

Jazz Ensemble

  • Definition: A group typically consisting of approximately 20 musicians.

  • Instrumentation includes:

    • Brass: 4-5 Trumpets, 4-5 Trombones

    • Woodwinds: 5 Saxophones (2 Altos, 2 Tenors, 1 Baritone), possibly other woodwind instruments (e.g., clarinet or oboe)

    • Percussion: Includes piano, string bass, drum set, guitar, and miscellaneous percussion.

Jazz Combo

  • Definition: A smaller ensemble of 3-6 players emphasizing style and improvisation.

Performance Medium Examples

  • String Quartet:

    • Typically consists of two violins, one viola, and one cello.

  • Piano Duet:

    • One piano with two performers (four hands).

  • Vocal Solo:

    • A performance featuring one singer with piano accompaniment, where the piano is not part of the solo.

Form

  • Strophic:

    • Structure with repeated verses sung to the same melody (e.g., Amazing Grace).

  • Binary:

    • Two-part form with contrasting sections (e.g., Star Spangled Banner).

  • Ternary:

    • Three-part form (e.g., Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star).

  • Theme and Variation:

    • A theme is presented followed by variations (The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra).

The Piano

  • Description:

    • The piano is described as a versatile and expressive instrument critical in the evolution of Western music.

    • It is not considered an orchestral instrument due to its ability to play multiple notes simultaneously, unlike orchestral instruments that typically play one note at a time.

Invention of the Piano

  • Inventor: Bartolomeo Cristofori circa 1700, Italy.

  • Original Name: Gravicembalo col piano e forte (harpsichord with soft and loud).

  • Mechanism: Hammers strike the strings to allow dynamic expression.

Technological Advancements

  • Early 18th Century: Development of the fortepiano with more responsive action.

  • 19th Century: Introduction of the cast-iron frame and felt-covered hammers, enhancing volume and sustain.

Piano Construction

  • Components: A piano contains approximately 12,000 parts, with 10,000 contributing to sound production.

Grand vs. Upright Pianos

  • Grand Piano: Known for its powerful sound and precise control; ideal for performances; available in sizes from baby grand (4ft-6ft).

  • Upright Piano: More compact and suitable for home use; generally less expensive.

  • True or False: You can play keys on a grand piano faster than on an upright. Answer: TRUE.

  • Note: The longer the string, the higher the quality of sound.

Importance of Piano Care

  • Care is essential to:

    1. Maintain sound quality.

    2. Prolong the instrument's life.

    3. Protect the financial investment in the instrument.

Environmental Factors

  • Humidity and Temperature:

    • Ideal humidity levels should be maintained between 40% and 50%.

    • Avoid positioning the piano near windows, heaters, or air conditioners.

Regular Service

  • Pianists typically do not tune their own pianos.

    • Tuning: Should be performed at least once a year by a professional to ensure accurate pitch and sound quality.

    • Voicing: Adjusting the overall tone of the piano done by a professional technician, usually every two years on regularly played pianos.

Hammer Voicing

  • Voicing Steps:

    1. Sanding down the felt to eliminate string indentation.

    2. Needling the felt to restore puffiness for optimal sound, creating a “like new” quality.

  • This aspect of care is frequently overlooked in home maintenance.

Internal Maintenance

  • Action Regulation:

    • Definition: Ensures keys and hammers respond correctly for optimal playability, requiring professional attention.

  • String Maintenance:

    • Regular inspections for rust and wear; replacement of strings as necessary to maintain sound quality.