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

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

Renaissance Music: 1400 to 1600

The Renaissance is a French term meaning rebirth. This period, spanning from 1400 to 1600, saw a revival of interest in ancient culture, specifically ancient Greece and Rome. Humanism emerged, giving humanity a central place in the universe.

The invention of the printing press by Gutenberg helped spread musical scores. The Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, created the choral, which is a homophonic religious song in German accompanied by an organ. Anglicanism featured the Simple Song, a polyphonic work for religious services. The Counter-Reformation was the reaction of the Catholic Church against the Protestants.

Religious and Secular Vocal Forms

• Mass: A polyphonic work performed a cappella.
• Motet: A short

The Etymology of Literary Vocabulary

Literature

The etymology of this word comes from Latin: Littera (letter of the alphabet) and the suffix -ure (the process of letters). However, neither the Greeks nor the Romans had a word for what we nowadays understand as literature.

Poetic and Metric Terminology

Poetry

Poetry is defined as: “a poem, ancient literature, poetical works, fables, or tales.” The etymology of this word has several origins:

• From Greek: Poieo, which means ‘to create’.
• From Old French: poetrie.
• Perhaps directly from Medieval Latin: poetria.
• Also from Latin: poeta.

Verse

The term Verse comes from Late Old English (replacing Old English fers, an early West Germanic borrowing directly from Latin), meaning “line or section of a psalm... Continue reading "Etymology of Literature, Poetry, and Drama Terms" »

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. Common intervals include:

• Unison
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Fifth
• Sixth
• Seventh
• Octave

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... Continue reading "Essential Elements of Music and Percussion Instruments" »

MAJOR GENRES

Essential Literary Terms and Definitions

• Allegory: A story or poem in which moral lessons are conveyed through the actions of fictional characters that serve as symbols.
• Alliteration: The repetition of the same initial sound or sounds in two or more word groups.
• Anapest: A three-syllable foot in poetry having two unaccented syllables (short beats) followed by one accented syllable (long beat).
• Aside: Something spoken by an actor to or for the audience, supposedly not heard by others on stage.
• Ballad: A simple poem that tells a story and is adapted for singing.
• Blank Verse: Poetry lacking rhyme, especially verses having five stressed syllables.
• Cacophony: A harsh sound or mixture of sounds.
• Caesura: A break or pause in a line of poetry.
• Catharsis: The

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" »

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" »

Unit Summary

Sound Reception and Technology

We receive sound through our two ears. The brain processes this information to determine the location of the sound source. We hear live acoustic sounds in three dimensions, which helps us orient ourselves and enjoy the experience. When acoustic sounds are treated electronically, the final output is determined by the sound technician during the mixing process for recordings or live performances. Headphones are the best way to listen to music, provided the quality is high.

Acoustic Sound vs. Digital Sound

Digital sound is produced electronically without the need for traditional instruments. These sounds are stored on computers or integrated into devices like keyboards. Composers can access vast sound banks,... Continue reading "Modern Music Production: Acoustic and Digital Sound Techniques" »