Other music terms

Syncopation  Sometimes referred to as being “off-beat”  Feels surprising, uncertain, exciting, or just more interesting

Syncopation Example 

Tempo terms  Accelerando – if the music speeds up  Rallentando or Ritardando – if the music slows down  Largo – slow and broad  Adagio – slow  Andante – “walking”, a medium slow tempo  Moderato – moderate or medium  Allegro – Fast  Vivo (or Vivace) – lively and brisk  Presto – Very fast  Prestissimo – very, very fast

Major instrument groups

Instruments – Strings  4 stringed instruments commonly used in the modern orchestra:  Violin – highest sound, most numerous  Viola – slightly larger, w/ a deeper and more mellow sound  Cello – much bigger, noticeably lower and deeper sound  Bass – so big the player must sit on a stool or stand to play, has a very low sound  All are usually played by use of a bow, but sometimes played by plucking them

Instruments - Woodwinds  4 types commonly used in any modern orchestra  Flute – no reed, high pitched  Oboe – double reed, deeper pitched  Clarinet – single reed, wide range of notes and very versatile  Bassoon – Largest and lowest pitched standard woodwind  All woodwinds are played by blowing into them and using ones fingers to cover various holes to produce notes

Instruments - Brass  All made of metal (silver alloy or brass)  Sound produced by “buzzing” the lips against the mouthpiece  Rest of instrument just amplifies and refines the sound  Slides or valves help achieve various notes  4 varieties typically in an orchestra:  Trumpets – small, high pitch  French Horn – more conical and mellower than trumpet  Trombone – only valveless brass instrument, uses a slide  Tuba – largest and lowest sounding

Instruments - Percussion  Anything not classified as a string, woodwind, or brass  Mostly various drums or instruments hit by drumsticks or beaters  Drums  Cymbals  Xylophones  Tambourine, triangle, maracas, wood blocks, bells, and scrapers  Piano and various whistles

Basic Voice Types  Typical Female voices:  Soprano – highest female voice  Mezzo-soprano – mid-range  Contralto – lowest  Typical Male voices:  Tenor – highest male voice  Baritone – mid-range  Bass – lowest  None of the above are only male or female voice types

Voice examples   Example of vocal range 

Instruments example 

Music Criticism

Step 1 - Description  Give simple details such as:  Title  Artist (if it is a cover, name original and current artist)  Length  Year written  Also give :  Subject of song  Instruments used  Type of voice(s)  Genre

Step 2 - Analysis  Describe how the elements of music are used (Tempo, melody, harmony, form, timbre, dynamics, and rhythm)  Describe why you think they are used that way

Step 3 - Interpretation  What is the mood or meaning  What does the artist do to create them

Step 4 – Judgment  There are 5 criteria to base a judgment on: 1. Timbre – quality of tone, range, variety, appeal of musical sounds 2. Expressiveness – interpretation, style, and phrasing 3. Technique – the performers skill 4. Presentation – choice/appropriateness of music – whether the performer meets expectations 5. Impact – artist’s charisma – newness (uniqueness) of what you hear – how the artists compares to similar artists you have heard

Summary  5-6 sentence summary

Music Criticism Practice  The first song we will complete as a group  You will complete the second song on your own

Song 1  I’m Yours  Jason Mraz  4:04  2008

Song 2  Where’d You Go  Fort Minor  3:51  2005

Use Subjective/Objective statements  Objective – Facts  Subjective - Opinion  Never just say “I love it” or “I hate it” without giving reasoning  Always base a subjective statement on an objective statement

With a partner…  Listen to the song I play and answer the worksheet completely – remain silent while music is played  Today’s song:  Title: World  Artist: Five for Fighting  Length: 3:53  Date: 2006  Make sure to ask questions so that you are comfortable with this process – it will be on your test  Remember to bring a device and headphones tomorrow

Music criticism outlining  Description  Title  Artist  Date  Length  Subject of song  Instruments/types of voice used  Extra artist/genre info (if you have any)  Analysis  Describe how you hear music elements used  Describe why you think they are used that way  Interpretation  What is the mood/meaning  What does the artist do to create them  Judgment 1. Timbre 2. Expressiveness 3. Technique 4. Presentation 5. Impact

Look at the picture and…  Think of a type (genre) of music that would accompany it  What would the melody be like (what instrument or type of voice would create it – timbre)?  What would the speed (tempo) be like?  Can you name a specific song that fits your description?