AOS2 Shared Music
Voice and Accompaniment
Romantic Song (Lieder)
Song for solo voice & Piano
Big in Germany and Austria.
Romantic 1820 – 1900 approx.
Lieder are songs popular in the 19th century written to accompany the German romantic
poetry of the day.
They were performed in informal, intimate settings – like the drawing rooms of the middle
classes. Venue now: concert hall.
Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms.
Strophic: Melody of each verse the same (like a hymn. Through Composed: Each verse set
to different music
Individual songs (Lied / Lieder) or Song Cycles (A selection of poems which are connected by
the text and / or musical devices).
Use of word painting – the music portrays the meaning of the words being sung.
Melismatic: one syllable sung over more than one note. Syllabic: one syllable per note.
Lots of imitation between the piano and singer.
The singer sings with expression to convey the mood. Texts are often based on emotional
themes, such as love, sadness, loss or anger.
The piano part is usually very descriptive creating effects such as a babbling brook with
rippling passages.
Pop Ballad
Early ballads were folk songs with a story. They were passed down orally through the
generations in the Middle Ages. Originally sung by wandering minstrels. From the mid 19th
century “ballad” meant a sentimental, popular song. About LOVE / ROMANCE
Slow tempo
Tells a simple story with sentimental lyrics – emphasis is on the lyrics
Memorable melody
Structure is simple (verse/chorus)
Strophic – each verse has the same music
Often accompanied with keyboard or guitar
The main tune is called the melody, the backing is called the accompaniment.
The melody is sung legato (smoothly).
Time signature: 4/4 (sometimes ¾).
Voice types should be known for this area of study. Male: tenor (medium-high), baritone
(medium-low), bass (low) and female: soprano (medium-high), Mezzo-soprano (medium),
alto (medium-low). Alto is short for contralto.
Backing singers or even a whole choir can be used to help emphasise the lyrics. They are
most often used in the choruses or towards the end of the song to heighten the drama.
Chords in the accompaniment are also usually legato in style with either soft repeating
block chords, broken chords or arpeggios.
Key changes are quite common in ballads. The final chorus is often 'lifted' to enhance the
emotion towards the end of the song. Changing key is called modulation. The key change
will sound a little higher than the previous chorus.
Music contrasting solo instrument with orchestra/band
Classical Concerto
The Classical period was from about 1750 – 1820.
Composers: Mozart and Haydn
Is music for: solo (1 player) playing an instrument, accompanied by an orchestra. You can
have a double concerto: 2 soloists (duet, accompanied by an orchestra). Instruments often:
Violin, flute, clarinet, horn, trumpet
In 3 movements (sections): Fast, Slow, Fast. First movement usually in sonata form
Listen out for: Contrasts between the soloist and orchestra – timbre, dynamics and texture.
Virtuoso performance by the soloist (eg. Showing off – using the full range of the
instrument, playing fast scalic passages (notes up and down!)
Venue: Concert halls.
Cadenza = orchestra stops playing; soloists can improvise (make some of it up); play fast;
difficult to play; lots of scales (running up and down notes); arpeggio (broken chords);
decorated melodies.
Homophonic texture (or melody and accompaniment).
Gradual changes in dynamics (crescendos and diminuendos).
Alternation between solo sections (soloist alone or with a light accompaniment) and tutti
sections (for the full orchestra).
Typical Classical phrasing - balanced and clear-cut phrases (musical sentences) that form
questions and answers.
Jazz
The bass instruments will outline the bass of the harmony suggested by the chords
The drummer will improvise rhythms suitable to the style
The piano will provide rhythmic and harmonic support playing the chords – COMPING
The melody instruments will play the tune (HEAD) then improvise over the chords
Jazz is a type of music that originated in the southern states of America during the early
20th century. Over time, many different styles of jazz have developed, using all sorts of lineups, from a single piano to a swing band. The main element that unites most of these styles
is improvisation. 1930/40s swing style developed. It became a very popular form of Jazz as it
could be danced to. 1940s Bebop style developed, it was much faster with lots of
improvisation and more complex rhythms.
Scat singing – singing to nonsense syllables instead of words, Doo-be-do-wah!
Call and Response as well as imitation happens frequently between players in Jazz groups.
12-bar blues chord pattern using chords I,IV,V
Blues scale – a major scale with flattened 3rd, 5th and 7th degrees
Drummers often used brushes rather than sticks for a smoother sound.
Famous musicians – Louis Armstrong – singer and trumpeter; Duke Ellington – pianist
Ensembles:
Indian Classical Music
Indian classical music has a long history of around 3000 years. The music is learned by ear
(oral tradition) and performed from memory – typically a student will undergo a type of
apprenticeship with a highly regarded performer, which as known as a guru.
Instruments: Sitar – a type of plucked string instrument with frets. It has sympathetic strings
which vibrate to create a distinctive shimmery sound. The sitar plays the raga and the
melody, and improvises. Tanpura/tambura – a plucked sting instrument with four strings
used to play the drone. Tabla – a pair of drums. Sarangi – bowed, string instrument; bansuri
– bamboo flute. Harmonium (a type of keyboard instrument)
Tala – the rhythmic cycle. There are different talas, each with a set number of beats, some
of which will be accented. The tabla player improvises rhythms around the tala, which
gradually become more complex as the piece progresses. 1st beat most important = sam.
The melody is based on a set of notes called a raga (scale). There are many different ragas
and most of them are associated with a particular time of day, season and mood. Some
notes in the raga will be more important than others and will be emphasised.
Common techniques used in the melody – pitch bends, glissandos, rapid scales,
ornamentation.
Indian music uses microtones – smaller than a semitone.
There is no real harmony in Indian classical music – instead a drone is played throughout a
piece. It is based on the most important note or notes of the raga.
There is often dialogue between the different parts, with call and response and imitation
between the players.
Structure: (A Jolly Jumpy Goat): Alap – slow, improvised introduction in free time. The sitar
introduces and explores the notes of the raga. There is a drone but no tabla drums. Jor –
faster and more melodic. Gat – the tabla enters, creating a clear sense of pulse. This section
is often based on a pre-composed idea, which the melody instrument uses as a basis for
improvisation. The music builds in excitement – more improvisation, faster and more
virtuosic. If it is a song, the last section is called a Bandish (song) Cascades of scales and
intricate rhythms.
Famous sitar player – Ravi Shankar. Famous table player: Alla Rakha
Gamelan
The gamelan originated in Indonesia. Java and Bali both have long traditions of gamelan.
The lower sounding the instrument generally the less it plays. The higher instruments tend
to play the faster speeds.
The word "gamelan" came from Javanese "gamel," which means "hammer."
A Gamelan is a group of instruments, or orchestra (not a single instrument). An ENSEMBLE!
It can consist of 5-50 players although normally 10-20. It usually consists of Drums, Gongs
and metallophones (saron). (Others - xylophone (wood), Rebab (bowed 2-string
instrument), Suling (flute), zither, and voices. The Kendhang (drummer) is the most
important – they lead the group.
Virtuosos (skilled experts) often give performances of high speed music - but they always
play to enhance the music of the other players.
The sound of a gamelan can vary from very gentle, dreamy and delicate, to wild, loud and
frantic. Gamelan from Java tends to be more hypnotic and calmer than Javanese.
Gamelan music is built up in layers.
The core melody is known as the balungan, meaning “skeleton”. The notes of the other
layers are closely related to the balungan. These layers help decorate the music or support
the structure.
Each Gamelan orchestra is different.
Microtones are sometimes heard in the bowed strings and vocal parts (microtones are
notes between our semitones.)
Gamelans are very important in the everyday life of Indonesians and are heard on all
important occasions. Played in a wide range of settings – indoors and outdoors: Court music
for special occasions; in more informal settings as entertainment. Accompaniment to
shadow puppet shows. Religious events and celebrations.
The Gamelan is thought to be magical and spiritual – players treat their instruments with
total respect and would never step over them as they believe they are tied to heaven and
stepping over the instruments could break these ties.
Gamelan music is handed down from generation to generation with children learning,
watching and copying from their father’s and elders. This is called the oral tradition where
music isn’t written down.
Gamelan music uses two types of scale or tuning systems. The pelog scale made up of seven
notes and the slendro scale made up of five notes (pentatonic scale).
Gamelan music has a heterophonic texture – where each layer of sound is a variation of the
main melodic pattern. These variations might be subtle, such as the addition of ornaments,
or more dramatic, such as playing the melody at a different speed or in a different key.
Gamelan has: Balungen (metallophones/tune). Decoration (high pitched/quickest).
Elaboration (Bonang). Drum rhythms. Gongs. Improvisation!
Structure: Defined by the large gongs. Cyclical – and each cycle ends with large gong. Last
beat of each phrase most important + usually finish on this. Drummer leads and decides
overall but this may be based upon the dancers, puppet show, drama or religious ceremony.
Baroque and Classical Chamber Music
Chamber music is a term used for instrumental music performed by a small group of players
(between two and eight). It is so-called because it was originally performed in a chamber or
small room, rather than a larger building. VENUE!
Solo sonatas – for one melody instrument with accompaniment
Trio sonatas – for two melody instruments with accompaniment
String quartet – two violins, viola and cello
Wind quintet – flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn
In Baroque chamber music the accompaniment was played from a continuo part, which
provided both a bass line (usually a cello) and directions for the chords to use (improvised
on a harpsichord).
Most Baroque sonata contain at least four short movements, all or mostly in the same key.
Slow and fast movements usually alternate and many are in various dance styles of the
period.
During the Classical period, much chamber music followed a four-movement plan: a fast
first movement in sonata form, a slow second movement, a minuet and trio (a type of
dance with 3 beats in a bar) and a final fast movement (often in rondo form)
In Baroque chamber music – a continuo group will usually be heard with a cello playing the
bass line and a harpsichord providing the harmonic filling
Baroque ornamentation will be often be used such as trills, mordants, turns, grace notes
Classical chamber music as with the classical concerto will have well balanced phrases and
terraced dynamics.
In the classical period, the harpsichord wasn’t used as much. A conductor was introduced to
an orchestra. The orchestra also included the clarinet.
Ground Bass – repeated phrase in the bass
Baroque composers: Bach (lots of them); Vivaldi; Handel; Pachelbel; Purcell; Scarlatti.
Classical composers: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven; Schubert.
Baroque (1600 – 1750). Classical (1750 – 1820).
How do they communicate when there is no conductor? They ;ook at each other. A slight
nod. Lift up the bow / instrument. Intake of breath.
Large Vocal Ensembles
African A Cappella
African a capella singing originated in South Africa.
The term a capella means singing without instrumental accompaniment or
'unaccompanied'. Literally it means 'in the chapel' and comes from religous unaccompanied
singing.
Mbube singing is loud and powerful, mbube means 'lion'.
Isicathamiya singing is much softer and genter, isicathamiya means 'on tip-toes'.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo are an all male vocal group who specialise in isicathamiya
singing. The group are known worldwide.
African a capella songs can be polyphonic, homophonic and sung in unison. There can be a
range of textures within one song.
A Cappella used to: Communicate emotions and feelings. For Social gatherings – harvests;
birthdays; weddings; funerals; births; gathering of the chiefs. Combined with speech, dance
and vibrant costumes.
Features: Basic form is call and response. Melodies usually short + simple + repetitive.
Melodies usually in scale of 4, 5 , 6 or 7 different tones. Performers can improvise new
melodies while other singers continue melody – polyphonic texture. Often music sung in
rounds. Harmony varies between tribes but often close harmony (uses notes of the chord
within a narrow range).
Include non vocal sounds to accompany: clicking, clapping, stamping or more unusual vocal
sounds such as tongue clicks and humming.
Work songs are a type of African a capella singing. The song lyrics are about hard work on a
particular task. The main beat of the song is based on the actions of the task such as
digging.
Great Choral Classics
Large scale works for Choir and Orchestra.
These consist of different sections which in sequence tell a story.
Some parts will be for full choir, others for soloists (and occasionally some for instruments
only, interludes).
Most of these works are sacred and called oratorios.
Pieces for the choir are called choruses, songs for Soloists are called arias (or duets, trios,
quartets if there is more than one soloist). Sections where the story is moved forward in
speech-like music are called recitatives.
A choir is usually made up of four voice parts: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB) in order
from high to low, female to male. A female voice slightly lower than a soprano but higher
than an alto is called a mezzo-soprano and the male voice between tenor and bass is a
baritone. Boys singing soprano with unbroken voices are called trebles. Men singing alto
using a falsetto voice are called a countertenors.
The oratorio has a number of similarities to opera. It uses the same structures, such as
choruses and arias, and employs similar forces (orchestra, soloist and choir).
Both opera and oratorio use the words to tell the story. However, unlike opera the oratorio
uses religious text, which makes it suitable for performance in churches and cathedrals,
where as opera is usually performed in theatres/opera houses. The oratorio is not as
theatrical as opera, and is generally performed without acting, scenery or costumes and in a
concert hall. VENUE!
A Mass is a choral work is based on Latin texts from the Catholic communion service. Most
masses consist of six movements (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei).
The texts are of repentance, praise and belief.
Mass settings are different from other oratorios in that they are almost always in Latin,
while most oratorios are in the language of the intended audience.
A Requiem Mass is a “Mass for the dead”, used to honour the deceased and is often heard
in a funeral context. It omits the more joyful movements of the ordinary Mass and adds in
others such as the Dies Irae (“Day of Wrath”). The Dies Irae describes the terror felt when
standing before God at The Last Judgement. Verdi, who composed many operas, wrote a
particularly dramatic Dies Irae in his setting of the Requiem.
The vocal forces created with large 4 part choirs (SATB) is very impressive. Choirs will sing in
unison or in harmony, sometimes overlapping.
The texture (layers of sound) can change frequently within the same piece.
Homophonic texture - the choir sings in harmony at different pitches, this can be chordal or
have a melody and accompaniment.
Polyphonic texture - the sections of the choir overlap, there can be several melodies at
once. This type of texture can sound complex. Polyphony (Polyphonic texture) can also be
referred to as Counterpoint (Contrapuntal texture).
The choir will usually follow a conductor. This helps all of the sections to stay in time and
balance the dynamics.
Choral works are usually written for choir and orchestra. Sometimes a church organ may be
used in addition to the orchestra.
Soloists are often included in choral music. As well as solo arias for an individual to sing with
the orchestra, the soloist may have solo lines to sing with the chorus.
When all of the singers and orchestra work together this is called tutti (all together).
The Messiah by Handel is perhaps the most well known Oratorio. The Requiem Masses by
Mozart and Verdi are also famous works within this genre.
Word painting is typically used by composers to emphasise certain words or meanings.
Higher or rising pitches can be used to represent words such as God, Lord or Praise. Low
pitches would be used for Hell.