Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Music

The Arrival of Radio in 1920 Provoked a Change in Society

The importance of the radio in the diffusion of music was incalculable. The invention of the radio was possible thanks to the discovery of electromagnetic waves.

The Rise of Romanticism in Music

A New Era of Expression

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Europe witnessed a series of socio-political revolutions that laid the groundwork for liberalism and democracy. The bourgeoisie held political and economic power, and industrialization, machinery, and the railway were transforming society. This period also saw the rise of Romanticism in music, characterized by:

Key Characteristics of Romantic Music

• Emphasis on individuality, rebellion against rules, and exaltation of feelings.
• Rich, passionate, and intense melodies with irregular phrasing.
• Complex and fluctuating rhythms, incorporating techniques like tenuto and ritardando.
• Rich and varied harmonies with modulations and key changes.
• Expanded symphony

Baroque Definition

Musical Characteristics

• Striking, colorful, vital, full of movement and dramatic effects
• Tendency to ornamentation and complexity
• Importance of contrasts in movement, dynamics, character, and timbre
• Great rhythmic energy with the use of repetitive rhythmic patterns
• Long and ornate melodies
• Establishment of the tonal system of tones and semitones
• Use of continuous bass (basso

Melody:

A melody is a succession of sounds that are perceived as a whole. Throughout history, many musical pieces have been composed, and each musical work has a different melody.

Intervals:

The varying pitches of the sounds in a melody give it a distinct identity that makes the melody recognizable.

Second, sixth, third, seventh, fourth, octave, fifth, unison

Scales:

A scale is a series of ascending or descending notes that starts on one note and ends with a repetition of that same note one octave above or one octave below.

Chords:

A chord is a composition of various sounds playing at once. (It is a combination of three or more notes playing at the same time)

Meter:

When we hear a melody, we find that certain accents are repeated regularly, this regularity... Continue reading "Understanding Melody, Intervals, Scales, Chords, and Percussion Instruments" »

MAJOR GENRES

Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Guide

Chordophones

Chordophones are instruments that produce sound by strings vibrating when plucked, picked, bowed, or struck.

Membranophones

Membranophones are instruments that are played by striking a membrane.

Idiophones

Idiophones are instruments that self-vibrate by being moved or struck in various ways.

Electrophones

Electrophones are instruments that produce sounds from electronic recreation and modification.

The Human Voice

The human voice is an aerophone. Although we have vocal cords, we need to exhale air for our voices to produce sound. We use our voices to express ourselves using words and music together.

Another way the human voice acts as a musical instrument is through the use of vocables, which are... Continue reading "Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Guide to Chordophones, Membranophones, Idiophones, Electrophones, and the Human Voice" »

Stop dissonance independent re-structured brushstrokes imagination time dodecaphonism - all the established order and organization of sounds disappeared - Arnold Schoenberg

Electronic music - sounds are created, processed, and recorded electronically - Karlheinz Stockhausen

Musique concrete - recording of different sounds and later processing these in the studio - Pierre Schaeffer

Neoclassicism - a return to formal clarity and went back to Classicism and the Baroque - Sergei Prokofiev

Impressionism - sound becomes a vehicle of the inner sensations produced by the real world - Claude Debussy

Aleatoric music - indefinite music that depends on chance and the freedom of the performer - John Cage

Minimalism - employs limited or minimal musical materials... Continue reading "Evolution of Music in Film: From Silent Films to Diegetic Soundtracks" »

African Music

Djembe

The djembe is a solid wooden drum with a goat skin stretched over the top. Played with the hands, it produces three distinct sounds. Originally, the djembe served as an effective communication device across the Malian Empire.

Calabash

The calabash is half of a hollowed pumpkin gourd played with the hands. Sometimes rings are placed around one or more fingers, or two small sticks are used.

Kora

The kora is a 21-string bridge harp attached to a calabash gourd with cowhide stretched over the front. This gives the instrument a slightly different sound than a European harp.

Bira Ceremony

The Bira ceremony involves singing, dancing, clapping, and the shaking of the hosho (rattle) made from smaller gourds. Master musicians playing the... Continue reading "World Music Exploration: Instruments and Genres" »