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Understanding Flamenco: Origins and Musical Elements

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What is Flamenco?

The term 'flamenco' describes a type of song, a way to play the guitar, and a dance that is found essentially in Andalusia and Murcia, and even in some zones of Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. The word 'jondo' refers to a few classic types of songs related to the tradition of flamenco, which are different from more modern and festive versions.

The Origins of Flamenco

The origin of flamenco is uncertain: some theories believe it comes from India or Pakistan, from the Persian musician Ziryab, who worked in the courts of Cordoba in the 8th century. Others believe it has Arabic roots. There are many opinions that link flamenco with ancient Hebrew and Byzantine religious songs. And then there are others who think the Roma people... Continue reading "Understanding Flamenco: Origins and Musical Elements" »

Baroque Music: Characteristics, Vocal Forms, and Instrumental Genres

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Characteristics of Baroque Music

Baroque music features a prominent melodic line, often with figured bass (numbers indicating chords) for harmonic improvisation. It typically includes a main melody supported by accompanying voices. Harmony is built upon chords, and contrast is a key element, evident in the interplay between voices, instruments, dynamics (forte/piano), and solo/tutti sections.

Vocal Music in the Baroque Period

Opera

Opera emerged as a significant vocal genre during the Baroque era. It is essentially musical theatre.

Overture

An overture is an orchestral introduction played before the curtain rises in an opera or other theatrical work.

Recitative

Recitative is a vocal style that blends singing and speaking, typically used to advance
... Continue reading "Baroque Music: Characteristics, Vocal Forms, and Instrumental Genres" »

Musical Terms: Definitions and Vocabulary

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Musical Terms and Definitions

Aria: A highly dramatic solo vocal piece with musical accompaniment, typically found in operas, oratorios, and cantatas.

Art song: A vocal composition, usually a lyric song intended for recital performance, typically accompanied by piano, in which the text is the principal focus.

Beat: Equal parts into which a measure is divided.

Bel canto: A style of operatic singing utilizing full, even tones and virtuoso vocal technique.

Cadence: A particular arrangement of chords indicating the ending of a musical passage.

Cantata: A musical composition in several movements for orchestra and chorus, often with a sacred text, utilizing recitatives, arias, and choruses.

Concerto: An extended composition for orchestra and one or more... Continue reading "Musical Terms: Definitions and Vocabulary" »

Membranophone Percussion Instruments: Pitched and Unpitched Types

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Membranophone Instruments Explained

Membranophone instruments produce sound through a vibrating membrane. Percussionists make the membrane vibrate by striking it with their hands or hitting it with wooden sticks called drumsticks or mallets.

Although many membranophone instruments have a system for adjusting the tension of the membrane or drum skin, only a few membranophones allow the percussionist to determine the precise pitch of the sounds the instrument emits. Membranophones are classified into two groups: pitched and unpitched.

Pitched Membranophones

Most instruments in this group have a single membrane and can emit a note that is tuned to a musical scale. The best-known instruments in this group include timpani (also called kettledrums),... Continue reading "Membranophone Percussion Instruments: Pitched and Unpitched Types" »

The Renaissance: A Period of Rebirth and Innovation

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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
... Continue reading "The Renaissance: A Period of Rebirth and Innovation" »

Music Theory Basics

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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" »

Tema 6 (música)

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Impressionism: Composers wanted to express their impressions of things. Music in impressionism has indefinite or fragmented melodies. Impressionist sounds are created with: Sophisticated chords; Pentatonic, ancient or tone scales; Special use of certain instruments in the orchestra. Claude Debussy (La mer, Nuages and Prélude à l´après-midi d´un faune). Expressionism: Rejects everything that had been considered beautiful before. This music has no tonality and a lot of dissonance. The melodies jump up or down in big intervals, there isn´t much repetition and composers use sprechgesang (it´s an expressionist vocal technique between singing and speaking). Arnold Schöenberg (Pierrot Lunaire), Alban Berg (Wozzeck). Nationalism: Zoltán
... Continue reading "Tema 6 (música)" »

Hate Me - Ellie Goulding & Juice WRLD Lyrics

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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" »

Identifying Musical Periods Through Orchestral Analysis

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Analyzing Orchestral Music to Determine its Period

A) Romantic or 20th Century Orchestra

Conclusion (Style and Period): Considering the large size of the symphony orchestra, the wide variety of instruments in the woodwind, brass, and percussion sections, the important role of the brass, and the gradual dynamic changes using a massive range of dynamics, we can conclude that this music is likely from the Romantic (19th century) or 20th century.

B) Baroque Orchestra

Orchestra and Instruments: This piece is performed by a small string chamber orchestra that includes a harpsichord.

Texture: The texture is mainly polyphonic, with several melodic lines sounding simultaneously, accompanied by a basso continuo part. This is a characteristic element of

... Continue reading "Identifying Musical Periods Through Orchestral Analysis" »

jjoj

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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.

... Continue reading "jjoj" »