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

Historical and Sociocultural Aspects

1. God: The Renaissance witnessed a shift from theocentric to humanistic beliefs.
2. Humanism: Humanism emphasized the importance of human reason, individuality, and the pursuit of knowledge.
3. Geographical Discoveries: Explorations led to the discovery of new lands and the expansion of European empires.
4. Nation States: The Renaissance saw the rise of nation states and the decline of feudalism.
5. Printing Press: The invention of the printing press revolutionized communication and the dissemination of knowledge.
6. Patrons of the Arts: Wealthy patrons, such as the Medicis and Sforzas, supported artists and scholars.

Religious Music

1. Germany: German composers, such as Heinrich Isaac, developed complex polyphonic masses and

How many pitch classes are in the chromatic scale?

12

Which Major scale is this one? (1)

Eb

The subdominant is Scale degree 4

What pitch is a whole step above B natural? C#

Describe the interval in the second box: (2)

6th

Semibreve is synonymous with Whole note

Rhythm refers to Combination of sounds with different durations that flow around a beat

ABCBA is an example of Arch form

The French horn is A brass wind instrument.

Stringendo means Gradually getting faster.

What does secular music mean?

Any music not written for the church.

The melismatic is a style of singing in which

We sing each syllable of the text over more than five notes.

Kyrie is

An invariable portion of the mass that can be sung at any time throughout the year.

The chorus of a cantiga is

The catchiest... Continue reading "Music Theory Basics" »

Hate Me

Ellie Goulding & Juice WRLD

Lyrics

Hate me, hate me, still tryna replace me
Chase me, chase me, tell me how you hate me
Erase me, 'rase me, wish you never dated me
Lies, tell me lies, baby, tell me how you hate me

I bet you don't kiss her with your eyes closed
I bet you're still walking on a tightrope
Miss me so much, you've been goin' psycho
You ain't gotta say it, baby, I know (I know, I know, I know)

It's a thin line between all this love and hate
And if you switch sides, you're gon' have to claim your place
So baby, this time you're gon' have to seal your fate
Yeah baby, this time you're gon' have to seal your fate

And tell me how you hate me, hate me, still tryna replace me
Chase me, chase me, tell me how you hate me
Erase me, 'rase me, wish... Continue reading "Hate Me - Ellie Goulding & Juice WRLD Lyrics" »

Aimée Ann Duffy was born in 1984 in Wales.

She's usually known by her artistic name, “Duffy”. She's a Welsh singer-songwriter.

Duffy became famous at the age of 24 whenwhen her first album, Rockferry, went to number one in the UK Album Chart. It was the best-selling UK album in 2008 and 1.68 millions copies were sold. Mercy, the first single from the album, was number for five weeks. Last year, Duffy won the Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album and she was nominated for two other awards. Since then, she has performed live at concerts and festivals all cover the world. She has just released her second album. She is plannin a tour now.

Duffy is also involved in charity work. Recently, she recorded a song for the War Child Heroes charity album.

Audition 1: Beethoven's Symphony No. 5

Work and Composer

Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven. He was born on December 16, 1770, and died on March 26, 1827.

Genre

Instrumental and secular because it is a symphony.

Style

Between Classicism and a middle period called the Heroic Period.

Texture

Counterpoint: Musical phrases develop independently of one another.

Movement

Allegro

Rhythm

Short figures (predominantly)

Timbre

Orchestra with brass and percussion

Character

Nervous, intriguing

Context

To be filled with a mysterious story.

Text

No text can be found as it is an instrumental work.

Audition 2: Dvorak's New World Symphony

Work and Composer

New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak. He was born on September 8, 1841, and died on May 1, 1904.

Genre

Instrumental and secular... Continue reading "Classical Music Analysis: Beethoven, Dvorak, Verdi, Vives" »

Medieval Music Essentials (400s–1400s)

Sacred Music: Plainchant

Plainchant, the music of the Church during the Medieval period, is characterized by its basis in modes, a free-flowing rhythm, and a single, unaccompanied melody line (monophony).

Modes: Building Blocks of Plainchant

A mode (from the Latin word manner) is a type of scale. Modes served as the fundamental building blocks of plainchant. There are seven distinct modes, each possessing a unique character or mood.

Neumes: Early Music Notation

Neumes were the earliest form of musical notation. These symbols, written above the Latin text, indicated basic pitch direction. They were developed as tools to support, not replace, the practice of oral tradition. Around 1029, Guido d’Arezzo significantly... Continue reading "Medieval Music: Plainchant, Troubadours, and Polyphony" »

Music Concerts

Yes, I usually go to large concerts but it depends on the concert and if I like the music or not.

For example, in my opinion, large classical music concerts are a bit boring, since it isn't my musical taste. But the concerts of rap, pop, etc., are more entertaining because I like that music.

In conclusion, going to a large concert depends on the tastes of each person, as they may be boring or not.

1. No, he doesn't, because according to the text writer, the performance may be a single musician.
2. Yes, I can, because concerts are held in a wide variety of settings

Medieval Music: Instruments, Forms, and Composers

A successful minstrel was an all-too-good storyteller, knowing how to play the drums and cymbals.

Medieval Instruments

• Hurdy-gurdy (Zanfona)
• Cornett (Cornetto)
• Citole (Citole)

What is an Organum?

It is a polyphonic form to make the second part of plainchant more interesting.

Composers in Ars Nova

• Guillaume de Machaut (1300-1377)
• Philippe de Vitry (1291-1361)
• Francesco Landini (1335-1397)

Matching Characteristics of Medieval Music

• Nawbas: Muslim kingdoms - secular songs
• A book copied in the 14th century with 150 pages: Llibre Vermell
• Visigoth chant: Sacred song
• 400 monophonic songs: Cantigas de Santa Maria
• Codex Calixtinus
• Codex Las Huelgas: Polyphonic music

A characteristic that does not correspond to Renaissance... Continue reading "Medieval and Renaissance Music: Instruments, Forms, and Composers" »