Comprehensive Music Knowledge: Definitions, Instruments, History

Music Fundamentals: Understanding Sound

Understanding Sound Intensity

Intensity is the degree of force with which a sound is played.

Exploring Timbre

Sounds differ in timbre.

Musical Alterations: Sharps, Flats, and Naturals

Alterations are signs that change the pitch of a sound. These include:

• Sharp (#): Raises the pitch by one semitone.
• Flat (b): Lowers the pitch by one semitone.
• Natural (♮): Cancels a previous sharp or flat, restoring the original pitch.

The Role of Musical Rests

Silences (rests) are signs that represent the absence of sound for a specific duration.

Musical Notes and Their Duration

Figures (notes) are signs that represent the duration of sounds.

Prolonging Musical Notes: Ties, Dots, and Fermatas

Signs of prolongation include the tie (ligature), the dot (puntillo), and the fermata (calderón).

Dynamics and Expression

Dynamic Markings: Crescendo and Decrescendo

This describes a dynamic marking that starts very soft, gradually increases in intensity to a strong sound, and then gradually decreases back to a soft sound. This is often represented by a crescendo followed by a decrescendo.

Harmony and Chords

Understanding Chords and Harmony

A C major chord is the first degree, or tonic, chord in the key of C major. A chord is the simultaneous execution of multiple sounds, forming the basis of harmony.

What is Harmony?

Harmony is the science that studies how chords are connected.

Types of Musical Cadences

Types of cadences include: perfect, plagal, interrupted, and imperfect (or incomplete).

The Human Voice: Qualities, Types, and Performance

Qualities of the Human Voice

Qualities of a good voice include: clear, pure, resonant, and light.

Vocal Classifications: Female and Male Voices

Vocal classifications:

• Female Voices: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto (or Alto).
• Male Voices: Tenor, Baritone, Bass.

The Vocal Apparatus: How We Produce Sound

Sound is produced in the speech apparatus, which consists of the lungs, vocal cords, larynx, trachea, nose, pharynx, and mouth.

Vocal Performance Formats

Vocal performance can be: solo, a cappella chorus, or with instrumental accompaniment.

Tessitura vs. Vocal Extension

Tessitura is the most comfortable and characteristic range of notes a singer uses in their voice. Vocal extension (or range) refers to the full set of notes, from the most acute to the most grave, that a voice or instrument can produce.

Understanding Vocal Ranges

Common vocal ranges, from lowest to highest: Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Contralto (Alto), Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano.

Musical Instruments: Families and Specifics

Brass Instruments

Examples of Brass Instruments: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba.

Instrument Families: Strings, Woodwinds, Percussion

Instrument Classifications:

• Fretted String Instruments: Viola, Cello, Double Bass.
• Woodwind Instruments: Oboe, Piccolo, Clarinet, Bassoon.
• Percussion Instruments: Timpani.

Detailed Look at the Piano and Organ

The piano is a stringed percussion instrument. It operates by tapping a keyboard, which triggers hammers that strike the strings. This mechanism is housed inside a large wooden box that acts as a soundboard. Pianos come in different forms, such as vertical (upright) or grand (half-tail or full-tail). They also have pedals to actuate a resonance mechanism.

The organ is a wind instrument with many tubes of different sizes and timbres. It often imitates the sounds of an orchestra, depending on the chosen stops.

Orchestral Terminology

Understanding "Tutti" in Music

Tutti is an Italian word meaning 'all.' In music, it signifies that all instruments or voices are to play or sing together.

Music History and Iconic Works

Romanticism: A Pivotal Musical Era

Romanticism (19th Century) was a pivotal movement in music history. It emphasized expressiveness and subjectivity, enriching melody and giving it predominance over harmony. During this period, new techniques were developed for the piano, and the orchestra was expanded.

Iconic Musical Works and Eras

Notable Works and Composers by Era:

• Classicism: Symphony No. 5 - Ludwig van Beethoven
• Nationalism: Peer Gynt Suite - Edvard Grieg
• Nationalism: El amor brujo - Manuel de Falla
• Medieval: Cantigas de Santa Maria - Alfonso X
• Baroque: Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah - George Frideric Handel

Miscellaneous

Quiz Answers

1b, 2c, 3d, 4a.