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Week 01 : Form in Music.

Ternary Form

This is another simple form as Binary form consisting of three sections.

This form is also known as;

(a) ABA form

(b) Song Form - Most of the songs have 2 verses a chorus. Verses are

sung in one tune and the Chorus is contrasted to it (a

different tune).

(c) Closed Form - Section A and Section B begins and ends in there

respective same key.

(d) Episodical Form - Consists only one episode.

This form is chiefly a vocal form and is suitable for short compositions.

The plan of the ternary form is as follows.

Section A1 - Principal melody or theme beginning and ending in the tonic key.

Section B - “Episode” – This is the middle section of the Ternary form which

is named as Episode. It is contrasted to the principal melody and is written in a

complete different key and character.

Section A2 - Principal melody or theme, more or less an exact restatement of

the principal theme beginning and ending in the tonic key.

There may or may not be a coda at the end.

A few more bars added to the end of the piece of music to give it a more

satisfactory ending is known as a Coda. A small coda is known as a codetta.

Examples : Mazurka’s and Nocturnes of Chopin

Drink to me only

Ash grove

Soldiers March

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Answer the following questions.

1. What is meant by Form in Music?

2. What are three main elements of Form in Music?

3. Name the simplest form from all forms.

4. Give 3 other names used for Binary Form.

5. Give 3 other names used for Ternary Form.

6. How many sections does the Binary form have?

7. How many sections does the Ternary form have?

8. What is the name given to the middle section of Ternary form?

9. What is the similarity between section A1 and Section A2 in Ternary form?

10. In which key does the section A begins and ends in Binary Form?

11. In which key does the section B begins and ends in Binary Form?

12. In which key does Section A1 and A2 begins and ends in Ternary form?

13. Give 3 examples for Binary Form.

14. Give 3 examples for Ternary Form.

15. What is the name given to a small coda?

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Weeks 01 & 02 : Instruments.

String Family.

The String family is known to be the backbone of the orchestra as the string instruments

are capable of playing on a wide compass, starting from the lowest note to the highest

note. The string players perform mostly uninterrupted during orchestral concerts.

Generally the leader of the orchestra is a string player in the 1st Violin section. The string

family consists of the Violin, Viola, Violoncello and Double Bass. The sound is produced

by the use of a bow of horse-hair.

Violin

This is the smallest and the highest pitched instrument of the string family. It has a bright,

beautiful and a sensitive tone. The strings are tuned a Perfect 5th apart. It has four strings

stretched across its hollow body. The strings are usually made from steel, gut or nylon.

Pegs are used to tighten or slacken the strings. It has the longest and lightest bow. This

instrument is said to be closest to the human voice. The length of the instrument is 23-1/2

inches. The Violin is called the “Baby of the string family.”

Viola

This is slightly larger than the violin. It is tuned a 5th lower than the violin. Music for the

viola is written in the Alto clef and the strings are tuned a Perfect 5th apart (C, G, D, A). It

is the Alto voice in a string quartet and is known as the “Cinderella of the orchestra.” The

sound of the Viola is not as clear and bright as the Violin. It is mostly used to play the

inner parts of the orchestra score and in ensembles like Trios, Quartets and Quintets etc.

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Violoncello

The ’cello is the shorter name for this instrument. It is much

larger than the violin. It is played seated with the instrument

held between the knees of the player. The strings are tuned

a Perfect 5th apart and they are C, G, D and A. The C is two

octaves lower than Middle C. This is a low pitched

instrument and music is written usually in the Bass clef

unless it goes higher to Tenor. This instrument can be used

for solo performances with an accompaniment. At the band

the instrument, there is a long spike which is rested on the

floor. It is an intensely expressive instrument, having a

wonderful singing tone.

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Double Bass (Contrabass)

This is the largest of the string family. It is 60 inches in length

and produces the lowest sounds. The Double Bass is tuned a

Perfect 4th apart and it is a transposing instrument. Actual notes

are sounded an octave lower than the written notes. The Double

Bass is played either seated or standing. This too, has a small

spike at the bottom of the instrument which helps the

instrument to rest on the floor as it is too large to hold,

otherwise. The Double Bass adds depth to the music and gives

a very strong bass accompaniment. There are two distinct

differences in a Double Bass from the other members of the

string family.

Parts of a Violin

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General Information.

1. The most commonly used string combinations are String Quartets and String

Orchestras.

2. The sound on a string instrument is produced when the string is made to vibrate either

by ; (a) By drawing a horse-air , the Bow across the string – Arco

(b) By plucking the strings with the fingers - Pizzicato

(c) By tapping or playing by the wooden side of the Bow - Col legno

3. An Open string is a string which is not stopped by the finger. This is the string or the

strings that the instrument is tuned to.

4. A stopped string is a string which is shortened by placing the fingers on the finger

board to obtain different melodic notes.

5. Larger the instrument the shorter and thicker the bow used will be.

Answer the following questions.

1. Who is known as the leader of the Orchestra?

2. Which string instrument is considered as a transposing instrument? Give the

transposition.

3. Which instrument is considered as the smallest and the highest pitched instrument in

the string family?

4. Which string instrument which is mostly used to play the inner parts of the orchestral

score?

5. Which string instrument is played only while seated?

6. Which string instrument can be played while seated or standing?

7. What are the two clefs that are possibly could be used to write music for cello?

8. Write two special features of the Violin cello.

9. Give another name used for the Double bass.

10. What is the highest pitched instrument in the orchestra?

11. Which instrument is known as the grand-father of the orchestra?

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12. Which instrument is known as the Cinderella of the orchestra?

13. Which instrument is known as the baby of the string family?

14. How is the sound produced by String Instruments?

15. What do you mean by the terms Arco, Pizzicato and Col legno respectively?

16. Name the 4 main families of the Orchestra.

17. Who conducts the orchestra using what?

18. What do you mean by definite pitch instruments and indefinite pitch instruments?

19. Name 3 definite pitch instruments and 3 indefinite pitch instruments.

20. What is the difference between a Xylophone and a Glockenspiel?

21. Give another name used for Timpany and Gong respectively.

22. What do you mean by Percussion instruments?

23. Name 2 Baroque period key board instruments.

24. Which instrument did J.S.Bach used the most?

25. How many black and white keys does a Piano have respectively?

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Week 03 : Rudiments in Music.

Simple time signatures.

The no of beats in each bar, and their value, is shown at the beginning of a piece of music by

a sign called a “Time Signature”. This consists of two figures placed one above the other. The

Upper figure shows the no of beats in each bar and the Lower figure shows the value of each

beat as a part of a semibreve. If the lower figure is 2 the beats will be minims (a semibreve

consists of 2 minims). If each beat is an un-dotted note, divisible into two equal notes (equal

in value), the time is called Simple (Simple time signatures).

Duple Triple Quadruple

2 = Two minim beats in a bar

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3 = Three minim beats in a bar

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4 = Four minim beats in a bar

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2 = Two crotchet beats in a bar

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3 =Three crotchet beats in a bar

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4 = Four crotchet beats in a bar

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2 = Two quaver beats in a bar

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3 = Three quaver beats in a bar

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4 = Four quaver beats in a bar

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01. Look carefully at these bars of notes! In each set there is one bar that does not agree

with the time signature. Find all the incorrect bars and draw a cross through them.

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02. Tick the correct time signatures. Choose the correct time signature for each

bar of music. Tick the box next to it.

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03. Create your own rhythm patterns by carefully following the instructions. Add bar lines

to each melody.

(a) Use all the above notes and rests. Add a crotchet rest. Draw bar lines in the correct places.

(b) Using the above notes and rests, remove one group of two quavers and add a semibreve at the

end.

(c) Plan this one carefully! Rearrange the notes above but remove a whole note and a

crotchet rest. Add a dot to the crotchet and the crotchet rest. Add two quaver rests.

(d) Use the above notes but remove one quaver, all the dots and quaver rests and add two half

notes and a semibreve.

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Week 04 : History of Music.

01. Define the following concepts.

(a) Polyphonic

(b) Homophonic

(c) Alberti Bass

(d) Chamber Music

02. Name the composer, his nationality and year of birth of the following compositions.

(a) 06 Brandenburg concertos

(b) Fore works music

(c) Moonlight Sonata

(d) 48 Preludes and Fugues

(e) Military Symphony

(f) Marriage of the Figaro

(g) The creation

(h) Choral Symphony

(i) Christmas Oratorio

(j) Harmonious Blacksmith

(k) Drum roll symphony

(l) Serenade for Strings

(m) Opera Fidelio

(n) Eine Kleine Nacht Music

(o) Surprise Symphony

(p) Magic Flute

(q) Trumpet Concerto

(r) The seasons

(s) Mass in B minor

(t) Opera Rinaldo

(u) 17 Masses

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(v) The Lintz Symphony

(w) Pastoral Symphony

(x) String Quartets

(y) Water Music

(z) Anna Magdalena Note book

03. Identify the composer.

(a) Father of Symphonies

(b) Child Prodigy

(c) Shakespeare of Music

(d) Father of Church Music

(e) Master of Concertos

(f) Link between Classical and Romantic periods

(g) Father of String Quartets

(h) Infant Prodigy

04. Write brief accounts of 2 of the following composers.

(a) J.S. Bach

(b) W.A. Mozart

(c) L.V.Beethoven