JE

Elements of Music Lecture 2 -- Performing Forces

Performing Forces in Music

  • Performing forces refer to different groups of musicians involved in a performance.

  • Three main classifications:

    • Human Voice: Includes singers and speakers.

    • Musical Instruments: Familiar category encompassing various types of instruments.

    • Modern Electronic/Digital Music: Introduced in the 20th century, featuring electronic sound options.

Human Voice: The Complex Instrument

  • The human voice is considered the most complex instrument.

  • Key parts involved in sound production:

    • Tongue: Aids in articulating various sounds.

    • Teeth and Lips: Important for pronunciation.

    • Nose: Contributes to resonance.

    • Epiglottis: Covers the larynx, which produces sound.

  • Pronunciation of vowels illustrated by lines representing different sounds:

    • Purple: "r" vowel

    • Green: "a" as in "bette"

    • Blue: "a" as in "I gave something"

    • Red: "e" as in "me"

Voice Ranges

  • Individuals have a vocal range defined by the lowest and highest pitches they can produce.

    • Male Voices: Generally categorized as low (bass) or high (tenor).

    • Female Voices: Classified as low (alto) or high (soprano).

  • Biological differences affect voice, especially during puberty:

    • Bass: Lowest male voice (adult males).

    • Tenor: Higher male voice, capable of higher pitches.

    • Alto: Lowest female voice.

    • Soprano: Highest female voice, often characterized by bright, high notes.

  • Most children are sopranos until their voice matures.

  • Transition from soprano to alto occurs usually after puberty in girls; boys transition to bass or tenor.

Demonstration of Voice Types

  • Clip of Bass Voice: From "Showboat" - reveals characteristics of a lowest male voice.

    • Focuses on a very low pitch.

  • Clip of Tenor Voice: Luciano Pavarotti performing "Nessun Dorma" - exemplifies a higher male voice.

    • Highlights tenor's ability to reach high notes.

    • Fun fact: Pavarotti was a kindergarten teacher before his singing career.

  • Clip of Alto Voice: Example from a humorous musical piece.

    • Altos often joke about singing harmony instead of melody.

  • Clip of Soprano Voice: Kristin Chenoweth showcasing her soprano skills.

    • Demonstrates the character versatility and high range of soprano voices.

Musical Instruments

  • Instruments are typically divided into families:

    • Woodwinds: Sound produced by blowing air through instruments. Includes:

      • Brass Instruments: Sound made by lip vibration (e.g., trumpets).

      • Reed Instruments: Two types - double reeds (e.g., bassoons) and single reeds (e.g., clarinet, saxophone).

      • Flutes: Historically wood, now often metal, categorized as woodwinds.

    • String Family: Instruments that vibrate strings to create sound (e.g., violin, cello).

    • Percussion Family: Instruments producing sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped.

    • Piano: Debate exists on whether the piano belongs to string or percussion family due to its dual mechanism of strings and hammers.

Instrument Demonstrations

  • Play video highlighting families of instruments and their sounds.

    • Specific attention to woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Modern Electronic Music

  • Electronic Instruments: Emerged in the 20th century to create a variety of sounds.

    • Includes synthesizers, which connect to computers.

  • Provides avenues for new sound creation:

    • Example of synthesized speech popular in the 2010s.

Conclusion

  • Review the provided links and clips from the class to reinforce understanding of performing forces.

  • Ensure comprehension of voice types and instrument families for upcoming discussions and assessments.