Chapter Eleven Dynamics, Timbre, and Texture. Rhythm Melody (pitch) Harmony Timbre (sound) Dynamics Texture Form (shape) Basic Elements of Music.
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Chapter Eleven
Dynamics, Timbre, and
Texture
Rhythm
Melody (pitch)
Harmony
Timbre (sound)DynamicsTexture
Form (shape)
Basic Elements of Music
Dynamics are the relative volume of sound and are measured in decibels.
Dynamics go from the threshold of sensation (softest sound we can hear) to the threshold of pain.
Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 decibels, over time, will cause hearing loss. Noise levels above 140 decibels can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure.
Dynamics
Common sounds measured in decibels
0 softest sound a person can hear 10 normal breathing 20 whispering at 5 feet 30 soft whisper 50 rainfall 60 normal conversation 75-85 flush toilet112 CD player or car stereo on high 120 rock concert
Dynamics
When applied to music, dynamics are referred to by the abbreviations of the Italian terms for loud and soft—
Abbr. Italian term Dynamic pp pianissimo-- very soft p piano-- soft mp mezzo piano-- medium softmf mezzo forte-- medium loud f forte-- loudff fortissimo-- very loud
Dynamics
The tone quality of a sound, also called tone color, which distinguishes two instruments or voices or groups of instruments or voices. Terms such as bright, dark, thin, mellow, brilliant, nasal, etc. are used to describe timbre.
Blended Timbre
Like-Instrument Ensemble (all flutes, for example)
Diverse Timbre
Many Different Instruments and Voices (symphony orchestra, for example)
Timbre (tam-ber)
MonophonicHomophonicPolyphonicHeterophonicHomorhythmicPolyrhythmic
Texture Types (Refer back to Intro to Intro Powerpoint)
Single Melody LineCan have more than one performer but everyone plays or sings the same thing.
Examplessinging Happy Birthdayviolin section playing a solo
Monophonic Texture
Predominant Melody with Subordinate Accompaniment
Examples• Dave Matthew's singing while his band plays the accompaniment•Flute solo with piano accompaniment
Homophonic Texture
Two or More musical lines of equal importance
Example•Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Polyphonic Texture
A Texture in which each performer presents his/her own Variation of the melody at the same time. There are very few examples of heterophony in Western music. And there is no Western genre that relies on heterophony.
Heterophonic Texture
A texture with several different parts with the same or nearly identical rhythm.
Homorhythmic Texture
A texture with an organizing factor [usually too rapid to be perceived as a beat] that unifies several different rhythms [often contrasting] that are played together
Polyrhythmic Texture
Symphony Orchestras
Symphony Orchestras
Have grown in size over the years
17th––18th Century15-30 players
19th-21st Century30-120 players
Romantic Era (1820-1900)
Widespread acceptance and increase in popularity of Public Concerts
Concerts moved to larger hallsComposers experimented with larger
forcesValves developed ca. 1815 for brass
instruments
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)Britten’s most famous piece of music is
Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra: Variations and a Fugue on a Theme of Henry Purcell.
Britten wrote the piece for the film The Instruments of the Orchestra. It normally includes a narration which has been recorded by many actors over the years.
Sections (Families) of the Orchestra
Strings— violins, violas, cellos, string basses, etc.
Woodwinds— clarinets, oboes, flutes,
bassoons, etc.
Brass— trumpets, French horns,
trombones, tubas, etc.
Percussion— snare drums, tympani,
bells, tambourines, cymbals, etc.
Seating Plan of Orchestra
Seating Plan of Orchestra
Strings
String Family
Violin Viola
Cello Bass (with cello)
Woodwinds
Woodwind Family
Piccolo
Flute
BassoonClarinet
Oboe
BrassSolid Brass Quartet
Brass Family
Trumpet
Tuba
Trombone
French Horn
Percussion
Percussion
Cymbals
Hand Percussion
Timpani
XylophoneSnare
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