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

The Eight Eras of Western Music

Western music history is categorized into eight distinct periods: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Modern, and Post-Modern.

Religious and Secular Music

• Religious Music: Compositions created for liturgical use or influenced by religious themes.
• Secular Music: Non-religious music performed in convents, cathedrals, castles, and palaces.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, music began to be transcribed. Monks, who were among the few literate individuals, developed both monophonic (single voice) and polyphonic (multiple voices) compositions.

Gregorian Chant

As the oldest form of Western religious music, Gregorian chant accompanied the celebration of Mass. It is named after Pope Gregory

The Mechanics of Breathing

Inhalation: The first step is to take in the air. Once we have taken the air, it goes to our lungs, which expand, pushing the diaphragm down. In this movement, the diaphragm pushes the entrails and the belly.

Exhalation: We begin to expel the air, controlling this process with the abdominal muscles. The diaphragm goes up, pushing the lungs and forcing them to allow the air to exit.

Vocal Vibration and Amplification

Vibration: The air we have expelled goes through our trachea and arrives at the larynx, where there are two bodies called the vocal cords. These begin to vibrate, producing sound.

Amplification: The sound produced by the vocal cords would be very soft and barely audible if it were not amplified. This sound is... Continue reading "Mastering Vocal Mechanics and Music Theory Fundamentals" »

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" »

The Vocal Instrument

Similarly, we call the parts of our body that produce our voice the vocal apparatus.

There are three processes involved:

Respiration

For the voice to make sound, there must be an adequate flow of air when we breathe: during inhalation and during exhalation.

Between the lungs and the digestive system, there is a muscle called the diaphragm. It helps to push the air out when we exhale.

Complete Breathing

When singing, we must try to fill the entire lung space. First, we fill the lower part and then the upper part.

The Production of Sound

Pushed by the diaphragm, air flows from the lungs to the larynx. The larynx has two small tendons called the vocal cords. These tense and vibrate as the air passes, producing sound.

Amplification in

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

Eva Noblezada: Broadway Star and Singer

Eva Maria Noblezada is an American actress and singer, celebrated for her powerful vocal performances and compelling stage presence.

Notable Roles and Accolades

• Portrayed the lead role of Kim in the 2014 West End and 2017 Broadway revivals of Miss Saigon.
  • Won a 2015 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
  • Received a 2017 Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.
• Originated the role of Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway.
  • Received her second Tony Award nomination in 2019 for Best Actress in a Musical.
  • Won the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Eva Maria Noblezada was born on March 18, 1996, in San Diego, California.... Continue reading "Eva Noblezada: Broadway Star and Tony Nominee" »

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" »