LARDIZABAL, Christian R.
BSCE 2-E
2023303168
“RESEARCH WORK FOR ART APPRECIATION”
1. The Medium of Music
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The medium of music refers to the source or method through which musical
sound is produced and heard.
It refers to how music is produced and experienced. It can be either performed live
or recorded.
There are three main media: Vocal, Instrumental, and Electronic Medium.
o Vocal Medium refers to the human voice.
o Instrumental Medium refers to musical instruments.
o Electronic Medium refers to the sound produced or manipulated
electronically.
2. The Vocal Medium of Music
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This medium uses the human voice as the primary instrument for creating music.
It is the most natural and oldest form of musical expression.
It includes solo and group singing, various vocal ranges, and styles, which helps
the singer express various emotions and meanings.
Voice ranges include:
o Soprano – the highest female voice
o Alto – lower female voice
o Tenor – a higher male voice
o Bass – the lowest male voice
Examples of vocal techniques are:
o Vibrato – a slight fluctuation in pitch to enrich the tone.
o Falsetto – artificially high voice, typically used by male singers.
o Belting – singing at high volumes with chest voice.
3. Instrumental Medium
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This type of medium involves the use of musical instruments to produce sound.
Each instrument contributes its unique tone color and texture to music.
Musical instruments are classified into families such as string, woodwind, brass,
percussion, and keyboard instruments.
o String instruments – sound produced by vibrating strings (Violin, Guitar,
Cello, Harp)
o Woodwind instruments – sound created by blowing air through an
opening (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone)
o Brass instruments – sound made by buzzing lips into the mouthpiece
(Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn)
o Percussion instruments – sound created by striking, shaking, or scraping
(Drums, Xylophone, Tambourine, Maracas)
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Keyboard instruments – played by pressing keys, often combining strings
or electric components (Piano, Organ, Synthesizer)
4. Qualities of Sound
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Also known as “Properties of Musical Sound”
These define how we perceive a sound in terms of the sound’s height, length,
loudness, and quality.
It includes:
o Pitch – refers to the highness or lowness of a sound and is determined by
frequency (Hz).
o Duration – refers to how long a sound lasts.
o Intensity (Dynamics) – refers to the loudness or softness of a sound.
o Timbre (Tone Color) – refers to the quality of the sound that makes it
unique and is often influenced by the instrument’s material, technique, and
harmonics.
5. Elements of Music
- These are the fundamental components that structure and define a musical
piece.
- Can be described as the building blocks that a composer uses to create music.
- It includes rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, texture, and form.
A. Rhythm and Melody
a. Rhythm is the pattern of beats or time in music, giving it movement and
structure. It includes tempo (speed), meter (grouping of beats), and time
signatures.
b. Melody is a sequence of pitches arranged to form a recognizable musical
line or tune. It refers to the tone we usually “hum”.
B. Harmony and Tone Color
a. Harmony is the combination of different notes played or sung
simultaneously to create chords and musical depth. It adds depth, richness,
and emotion, and can be consonant (pleasant) or dissonant (tense).
b. Tone Color or timbre is the distinct quality of a sound that differentiates
one voice or instrument from another. It is important in creating mood and
variety in music.
C. Texture and Form
a. Texture refers to how many layers of sound are heard in music and how
they interact such as monophonic (single melody line), homophonic
(melody with accompaniment), or polyphonic (multiple independent
melodies) textures.
b. Form is the overall structure or plan of a musical composition, organizing
how music develops and repeats.
Example of Musical Play:
Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical
Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musical is a Filipino stage play that tells the story of three
college friends named Hector, Emman, and Anthony who are reunited in adulthood by an
unexpected and tragic event involving Ligaya, a girl from their past. This play became popular
because of the famous Eraserhead song “Huling El Bimbo” from which the play is inspired
from, which explores the themes of friendship, innocence lost, regret, and the power of
confronting the past. During their college years, the trio was inseparable, each with distinct
personalities: Hector, the confident Manileño; Emman, the idealistic probinsyano; and
Anthony, the quiet and sheltered one. Their friendship deepened when they met Ligaya, a
cheerful and hopeful girl who worked at her aunt’s diner. Together, they shared laughter,
secrets, and dreams, forming what seemed to be an unbreakable bond.
However, their close-knit friendship is tested when a traumatic incident occurs—an
event they never truly confronted. As time passes, the friends grow apart and follow separate
paths, each carrying emotional burdens and regrets. When they are brought back together
years later, they must face the consequences of their silence and the pain they’ve long buried.