Timbre

The distinctive individual sound of an instrument or voice Factors include: - Materials used - Played e.g. strings? reed? - Resonates e.g. brass? strings? Timbres create different moods or feelings

India: sitar, tabla Africa: djembe, xylophone Caribbean: steel pans

A sound lasts longer because it is reflected between walls, floor and ceiling of a room

Often used in rock music (electric guitar), creating an aggressive sound

When a recorded voice/ instrument is multiplied electronically, so it sounds like many

A recording technique where different sounds are recorded separately, then played back together

Boosts the level of the quietest sounds in a piece of music so that they balance with the louder sounds

Device used to electronically combine a human voice with a musical instrument

Electronic device or computer program that is used to record, edit and play back music data using MIDI

Sound is electronically moved across from one speaker to another, or is separated into different speakers

Playing a string instrument with a bow e.g. violin, viola, cello, double bass

Strings are plucked instead of playing with a bow

Means ‘with a mute’ – dampens sound Watch a video of Paolo Nutini’s ‘Pencil Full of Lead’ as an example of this...

Where string players bow 2 notes at the same time, on adjacent strings – sounds like a chord

Another string effect, means, ‘trembling’ or ‘quivering’ Rapid up-and-down movements of the bow on the strings, creating an agitated or shimmering effect

Technique by male singers, to sing notes higher than their normal range

Literally means ‘shaking’ or ‘quivering’ Adds warmth and expression to the tone of the music

Compose a short piece of music with a partner, using at least 8 different timbres (sounds). It should either be a piece for Hallowe’en or a piece for a murder mystery film (i.e. spooky or full of suspense and tension).