Identifying and describing musical Features
When we listen to music we learn to identify and describe different parts or features in the music. This helps us as listeners to understand and enjoy the music that we are listening to. We use the same skills when we meet someone for the first time and can identify and describe physical features e.g. if they are tall or small and features of their personality e.g. if they are chatty or quiet. Musical features can be split up into different categories
Musical Form and Structure
Music is made up of sentences called phrases . A piece or song is often divided into different sections. The form of a piece describes the different sections in it. Binary form A piece of music that has two sections is in binary form. Binary means two, think of a bicycle that has two wheels. Example A section: B section 8 bars 8 bars Irish dance tunes are often in binary form with two parts called the tune and the turn which are often repeated. Ternary form A piece of music that has three sections is in ternary form. Often the A section returns at the end Example A section: B Section: A section 8 bars 8 bars 8 bars A Da Capo Aria is in ternary form Rondo Form This form is based on a main theme that returns several times in different keys. The sections in between each statement of the theme are called episodes. A section :B episode: A1 Section : C episode: A2 Section 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars Ritornello Form This form is similar to rondo form as it is based on a main theme that returns several times. However the theme always returns in the same key. The sections in between each statement of the theme are called episodes. A section :B episode: A1 Section : C episode: A2 Section 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars 12 bars Sonata form In sonata form there is an exposition, development and recapitulation. There may also be an introduction section at the beginning and a coda section to end the piece. In the exposition the musical ideas are stated, in the development these ideas are developed and explored and in the recapitulation these ideas are restated. Introduction (optional) Exposition Ideas/theme are stated Development Ideas/themes are developed and explored Recapitulation Ideas are restated Coda (optional) Strophic form Many songs are composed in strophic form which means that the same music is used for every verse. Dynamics
Dynamics are a feature of every piece of music. Dynamics describe how loud or soft a piece is. The dynamics can vary and change throughout the piece. Dynamics are usually written under the music as in figure 1. Keywords ppp- triple pianissimo- As soft as possible pp= pianissimo- very soft p- piano- soft mp- mezzo piano- moderately soft mf- mezzo forte- moderately loud f- forte- loud ff- fortissimo- very loud fff- triple forte- as loud as possible Crescendo- getting gradually louder Decrescendo-getting gradually softer Diminuendo- getting gradually softer The Time signature is 4/4 which means four crochet beats in a bar One melodic feature is repeated notes It has a smooth rhythm The rhythm is made up of mostly crochets The melody moves mostly by step |
Texture
Texture is one of the basic elements of music. When you describe the texture of a piece of music, you are describing the different layers in the music at any given moment. For example, the texture of the music may have many or few layers. It might be made up of rhythm only, or of a melody line with chordal accompaniment, or many interweaving melodies. Monophonic texture This is the most simple musical texture. There is only one musical layer- a single line of melody with no accompaniment. Examples of monophonic texture include: A solo singer A choir all singing in unison A solo instrument This texture is used in …. Gregorian chant sung by monks in church A sean-nós performance of an Irish traditional song Homophonic texture This term is used to describe a piece of music that has a melody and accompaniment. The melody or tune is clearly heard with chordal accompaniment in the background. Examples of homophonic texture include: A solo singer accompanied by a guitar A SATB choir singing a four part piece with the melody heard in the soprano line Polyphonic or Contrapuntal texture There are two terms used to describe this texture either polyphonic or contrapuntal. Both terms mean the same thing. These terms are used to describe music that has two or more melodies weaving together and so has many layers. Examples of polyphonic or contrapuntal texture include: Imitation or counterpoint where one voice/instrument imitates another voice/instrument so we can hear the same melody in two or more layers. A canon is an exact imitation based on a theme which has a definite ending again we hear more than one line of melody at the same time. A round is an exact imitation which has no definite ending e.g. Row, row, row your boat again we hear more than one line of melody at the same time. The texture of a piece can change from one section/verse to another so we can when we listen to a piece of music we may use more that one term to describe its texture. KEYWORDS Monophonic texture= a single line of melody. Unison- many voices/instruments sing or play the same melody at the same time= a single line of melody. Unaccompanied- no music playing in the background= a single line of melody. Homophonic texture= melody and accompaniment. Chordal support/accompaniment- Chords are played to support the melody. Block chords- the notes of the chord are played together. Broken chords/arpeggios- The notes of the chord are played one after another. Polyphonic texture= more than one independent line of melody weaving together. Imitation-where one voice/instrument imitates another voice/instrument so we can hear the same melody in two or more layers. Canon- an exact imitation based on a theme which has a definite ending. Round-an exact imitation which has no definite ending. Dense- where there are many instruments or voices making up the texture. Sparse- where there are few instruments or voices making up the texture. Tempo
Tempo is a feature of every piece of music. Tempo describes the speed of the piece. The tempo can speed up or slow down during the piece. Italian terms are used to describe the tempo of a piece or song. The tempo is written above the first bar if a piece as in figure 1. Keywords Accelerando- means speeding up Stringendo- getting faster Rallentando- to slow down Ritenuto- to hold back the speed Allargando- to slow down A tempo- back to the original speed Più mosso- with more motion Meno mosso- with less motion Adagio- Slow Lento- Slow Largo- Broad Andante- At a walking pace Moderato- At a moderate pace Allegretto- not as fast as Allegro Allegro- Fast Vivace- Lively Presto- Very fast Prestissimo- As fast as possible Metronomes are used to measure tempo. They can be set to tick for a certain number of beats per minute. You can find one online at http://www.metronomeonline.com/ Melodic Features
Melodic features describe the melody or the tune in a piece or song. Melodic features describe something that you can sing or hum in a piece or song. Keywords Pitch- how high or low a note is . Interval- the distance between two notes. Range- the distance between the highest and lowest notes of the piece. Step movement- when the music moves by step. Ascending- when the melody moves in an upwards direction. Descending- when the melody moves in a downwards direction. Octave leap- a leap of 8 notes between two notes e.g. C- C'. Ornamentation- the decoration of a melody using extra notes. Grace notes- extra notes added to the melody to decorate it. Chromatic movement- when the melody moves by steps of a semitone. Sequence- A melodic pattern that is repeated higher or lower. Repeated notes- notes of the same pitch repeated in succession. Scale movement- when the melody moves up or down the scale. Rhythmic features Rhythmic features describe the pattern of beats in the music or song. Rhythmic features describe something that you can clap or tap in a piece or song. Keywords Beat- the beat is what you clap to in a piece or song. Metre- The number of strong beats in a bar of music. Syncopation- When the emphasis is placed on the weak or half beat creating an uneven(short-long) rhythm . Triplets-Three notes played in the time of two. Smooth- the rhythm is consistent and steady. Jerky-The rhythm is uneven. Dance-like- there is a dance-like feeling to the rhythm e.g. a waltz 1 23 rhythm. March-like- A strong emphasised rhythm. Anacrusis/upbeat- When a piece of music starts with an incomplete bar of music. Dotted- A dot beside a note increases its value by half again. |