Other music terms
Syncopation

Sometimes referred to as being “off-beat”

Feels surprising, uncertain, exciting, or just more
interesting
Syncopation Example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_VwdZ2Gaks
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
 French
– small, high pitch
Horn – more conical and mellower than trumpet
 Trombone
 Tuba
– only valveless brass instrument, uses a slide
– 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
 Contralto

– lowest
Typical Male voices:
 Tenor
– highest male voice
 Baritone
 Bass

– mid-range
– mid-range
– lowest
None of the above are only male or female voice types
Voice examples

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLh5WGs2Tio

Example of vocal range

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wceKiDBjFM
Instruments example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWbuO7I2vRE
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
 Type
used
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
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?