Music 150: Music in World Cultures
Final Study Guide (S’06)
The Final Exam is Thursday, March 16th at 8 a.m. (!) PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE OR
YOU WILL MISS THE EXAM. The exam will consist of matching, multiple choice, short
answer, listening, and short essay questions. Please bring the same Scantron as for the
Midterm.
TO STUDY:
•Be able to recognize and discuss the musical examples from your text. For each example be able
to discuss 1) its functions within the culture, 2) the occasions on which it is performed, 3) its
musical style (rhythm, melody, harmony, instruments, etc.), 4) its meaning (if it has text) and
the personalities of the operatic characters.
•Be able to answer the questions below:
INDIA (Ch. 7 plus “Discovering the Music of India” video [FLIC 85719] and lectures)
TERMS
rasa
sruti (two meanings)
raga
tala
Hindusthani
Karnatic (Carnatic)
vina
mridangam
sitar
tabla
Rig Veda
drone
alap
gat
sam
guru
Ravi Shankar
Bollywood
caste system
mudra/abhinaya
Bharata Natyam
-What was the first act of creation in Indian culture? (Hint: in the West it is “light”)
-What other peoples influenced Indian culture?
-How has Indian music influenced Western culture?
-Name the two main religions practiced in India today?
-Name the three elements of texture in Classical Indian music. In what order are they presented
in a typical piece of Indian Classical Music? What element does not appear in Indian music?
-How is it believed that music and dance were developed? What was the main purpose for all
the arts and sciences?
-How is Indian music passed down?
-Who are the three deities that form part of the idea of God? What are they known for?
-How would you recognize the entrance of the tala?
-What happens near the end of a piece?
-What are the differences between North and South Indian music (be specific! Know the
difference in the form as well as the different instruments, differences in number of ragas,
and which uses more improvisation.
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OPERA: (Chapter 8 plus opera videos and lectures)
-When was opera invented? Who invented it and why?
-Be able to name one opera composer each from the 17th and 18th centuries (hint: M. and M.!)
-What are the dates of the Romantic period? What were people rebelling against?
-Describe the changes in the role of the composer during this period.
-Name three opera composers from the 19th century.
-What are the three basic female and male operatic voices?
-Name three of Puccini’s successful operas.
-Summarize the plot of La Bohème (of the whole opera, not just Act II).
-Describe the personalities of Musetta, Alcindoro, Marcello, Mimi, and Rudolfo.
-How did Mimi and Rudolfo originally meet? (Act I)
-Describe what Musetta is trying to accomplish in her famous aria. Does she succeed?
BAROQUE MUSIC: Vivaldi and Bach (Chapter 9 briefly plus lectures and handouts)
-What are the dates of the Baroque period?
-What is a concerto? How many movements does it usually have?
-What is basso continuo? Name the two parts of it. For what is figured bass a shorthand?
-What type of piece is Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons?
-Describe the general tempo of each of the three movements.
-Read the poem carefully: what text in the first movement suggests the exciting and dramatic
section in minor? What text in the second movement suggests the tempo of the second
movement? What suggests the dancelike quality of the third movement?
THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and
(Ch. 11, video on the orchestra, lectures)
-Know the four sections of an orchestra; Be able to name and describe the instruments and know
which section of the orchestra they belong to.
woodwinds
piccolo
flute
oboe
English Horn
clarinet
bass clarinet
bassoon
contrabassoon
brass
trumpet
French Horn
trombone
tuba
strings
violin (1st &
2nd)
viola
cello
bass
percussion
timpani (kettle
drum)
snare drum
cymbals
triangle
wood blocks
the whip!
-Who was Henry Purcell? In what century and musical period did he live? What country was he
from? For what opera is he well known? In what century? Why does Dido lament? Who
are the funny characters?
-From what country is the composer Benjamin Britten? In what century did he live? How did he
use Purcell’s music?
-Be able to describe the structure of Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra in your
own words.
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THE BALINESE GAMELAN (ch. 12, video examples, and lectures)
-Where is Bali located? What country is it a part of? What other countries is it near?
-Describe the religious and cultural influences on this country.
-For what arts is Bali famous?
-What is a gamelan? What is the origin of the name? Out of what materials are they usually
constructed?
-Who owns the gamelan? How is this different from Western practice?
-Describe the metal bar percussion instruments (what are they, what is the purpose of the
resonator, how are they played? What is the purpose of touching/dampening the bars?
-Describe other types of instruments in a gamelan.
-How are gamelans treated? How is this similar or different to the way the drum is treated in the
Native American drum circle (see ch. 3)?
-Would you say that gamelan performers are professionals or amateurs? How about gamelan
builders?
-How is practicing the gamelan different from practicing a Western instrument?
-Name three functions of gamelan music.
-What is Wayang Kulit? What is the origin of the name? What is its function? (see also p. 234)
-What is the Mahabharata? Why do you think it is used in this Balinese art form?
-What is the dalang? What are his functions?
-What is a gender?
-What creates the typical shimmering sound of a Balinese gamelan?
-How many notes are in slendro tuning?
-Describe the basic texture (structure) of gamelan music.
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