MUSIC APPRECIATION

~ I love music but I don’t understand it at all ~

LEVELS OF LISTENING SKILLS

1. To listen for the pleasure of the senses only.

2. To recognize the expressive power and meaning of music.

3. To listen to what is going on.

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON?

Music has its intellectual and emotional appeal.

Music involves composer, performer and the listener.

~Great music is born of great effort by great and dedicated minds and by greatly devoted listeners~

William Schumann

HOW TO BECOME AN INTELLIGENT MUSIC LISTENER?

Understand the basic musical elements.

Be aware of how each musical element is used and what happens to it in the music.

Hear the musical elements not separately but the combined effect.

Develop an active listening skill – not just listening but always listening for something.

To acquire through learning and experience, not just methods.

RHYTHM

~ organizes music as it moves forward, each note having its own length or duration ~

~ covers everything pertaining to the time aspect of music ~

Beat – a unit of time (a regular pulse) Meter – the recurrent pattern of beats at an

interval in groups of 2, 3, 4, etc. Tempo – the speed of the beats

RHYTHM(Musical Example)

Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss (in 3)

RHYTHM(Musical Example)

Royal March of the Lions from Carnival of the Animals by Saint Saens (in 4)

MELODY

~ consists of a succession of notes, varying in pitch, which have an organized and recognizable shape~

~ is horizontal where the notes are heard consecutively ~

MELODY(Musical Example)

Dreaming from Scenes From Childhood by Schumann

HARMONY

~ is the study of chords and their relationship among one another ~

~ is the sounding together of notes (vertical sound) known as chords ~

HARMONY (Musical Examples)

`From dawn to midday on the sea’ from La Mer by Debussy

TEXTURE

~ is the combination of the use of horizontal and vertical elements in music ~

Monophonic – a single, unaccompanied melodyHomophonic – a melody with a chordal accompanimentPolyphonic – 2 or more melodies moving simultaneously

TEXTURE (Musical Example)

`The Swan’ from Carnival of Animals by Saint Saens (Homophonic)

TEXTURE(Musical Example)

Fugue No. 2 in C Minor by JS Bach (Polyhonic)

FORM

~ is the structure and design of a musical work ~

~ builds on repetitions, contrasts, and variations of musical materials ~

2-part Form: A B3-part Form: A B ARondo Form: A B A C A D A etc.Variations: A A’ A’’ A’’’ etc.Sonata Form: Exposition, Development,

Recapitulation

FORM(Musical Example)

Minute Waltz by Chopin (ABA FORM)

TONE COLOR

~ is the tone quality produced by a particular instrument or medium ~

An orchestra consists of 4 instrumental family groups creating a magnificent spectrum of tonal colors:

The String FamilyThe Woodwind FamilyThe Brass FamilyThe Percussion Family

TONE COLOR (Musical Example)

The Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten

AN AUDIO/VISUAL EXAMPLE

Symphony No. 5 in C Minor by Beethoven –First Movement

BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5 (FIRST MOVEMENT)

Background

Born in 1770 – 1827 (Classical Period)In 1802 learned about his incurable deafness; tempted to take his life. His music generated a new power and heroism after his emotional crisis – victory over despairSymphony completed & performed in 1808. Completely deaf in 1819; became a recluse Preferred to walk in the country where he was inspired by many musical ideas.Musical style was revolutionary, a forerunner of the Romantic style of music

BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY NO.5

Type: orchestral work Tempo: allegro con brio (quickly & vigorously)Time: in 2 Theme: rhythmic vs melodicForm: sonata-form Texture: mainly homophonicTone Color: ideas transfer from instruments to instruments & different combinations