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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 melody
Homophonic – a melody with a chordal accompaniment
Polyphonic – 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 B
3-part Form: A B A
Rondo 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 Family
The Woodwind Family
The Brass Family
The 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 despair
Symphony 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:
Tempo:
Time:
Theme:
Form:
Texture:
Tone Color:
orchestral work
allegro con brio (quickly & vigorously)
in 2
rhythmic vs melodic
sonata-form
mainly homophonic
ideas transfer from instruments to
instruments & different combinations