Sessions 25 and 26

MUSIC: PART ONE

PROPERTIES OF MUSIC

 Pitch –highness or lowness of tone

 Duration – the length of time over which the
vibration is sustained
 Volume – the loudness or softness of sound
 Timbre – individual quality of the sound
 Range – the highest or lowest notes that may
be produced by the source
MEDIUMS OF MUSIC
 Vocal – human voice; has the following registers:
 Male vocal register – tenor (high) and bass (low)
 Female vocal register – soprano (high) and alto (low)
 Other classifications:
▪ Coloratura soprano – highest and lightest
▪ Lyric soprano – less high and flute-like
▪ Dramatic soprano/ tenor – heavier, good for intense emotions
▪ Mezzo-soprano – between the soprano and contralto in quality and range
▪ Contralto – low and rich in quality
▪ Tenor – highest male register
▪ Lyric tenor – suitable for sweet song-like melodies
▪ Baritone – middle range
▪ Bass – lowest and deepest in quality
 Instrumental – generated by musical instruments (Download odetojoy.flv
to hear the different vocal ranges in action)
THE DIFFERENT MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS (According to Family)

 Strings – may
either be bowed
(violin, viola,
violoncello / cello,
bass) or plucked
(guitar, banduria,
harp, bass) Acoustic and electric guitars
THE DIFFERENT MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS (According to Family)
 Woodwinds – blown by the
player, usually has reeds near the
mouthpiece (flute, piccolo, oboe,
clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon,
saxophone)
 Brass – also blown by the player,
its sounds can be altered by Brass instruments in action
altering the tension of the lips as it
comes in contact with the
mouthpiece (trumpet, French
horn, trombone, tuba, cornet)
THE DIFFERENT MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS (According to Family)
 Percussion – played by hitting
with the hand or sticks or
shaking (drums, glockenspiel,
xylophone, cymbals, chimes,
castanets, etc)
 Keyboard – played by striking
a series of black and white Percussion instruments in
keys (piano, organ, celesta, action

accordion). (Download and view

jrudess.flv from the documents to see it in
action)
 COMBINATIONS OF INSTRUMENTS

 Ensemble Mediums – consists of two or more

performers equally engaged in playing
 Orchestra – the most spectacular ensemble directed
by a conductor
 Symphony orchestra – a large ensemble which
includes all principal instrument types
 Concerto – an orchestra with a soloist The Tokyo Jihen Band
 Band – an ensemble usually confined to a selected
instruments
 Rondalla – composed of stringed instruments
 Chamber orchestra – only makes use of a few
performers
▪ Solo Sonatas – employs a single instrument with
accompaniment
▪ String quartet – consists of two violins, one viola, and a cello
▪ Duos, trios, quartets, etc – players are of equal importance
A Symphony Orchestra
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Sanchez, C., et al. (2001). Introduction to the

Humanities. Manila: Rex Bookstore Inc.