Advanced Higher Music: Timbre

Question 1

Consort

Answer 1

Like most music of the Rennaissance period if not actually a dance, like a pavane or galliard, was certainly dance like in style.
The music could be played by solo instruments such a lutes, harpsichords or virginals, by small groups of instruments of the same family or a group of varied instruments from different families. In England, a consort was the name given to a group of instruments of the same family playing together.

Question 2

Countertenor

Answer 2

A male adult voice whose range is higher than a tenor’s. The strong and pure tone is produced by resonances mainly in the head. This type of voice was very popular until the end of the 18th century.

Question 3

Piano trio

Answer 3

A piano trio is a chamber music ensemble comprising of three instruments; the most common form comprises of a piano, violin and cello.

Question 4

Sprechgesang

Answer 4

A 20th century technique used in vocal music where the singer is required to use the voice in an expressive manner half-way between singing and speaking.

Question 5

Tremolando

Answer 5

Literally ‘trembling’. Rapid repetition of a note (string instrument) or rapid alternation of two notes (any instrument).

Question 6

Harmonics

Answer 6

The high eerie sounds produced on a string instrument by lightly touching the string at certain points. Harmonics can be played on any instrument with strings for example, violin, guitar and harp.

Question 7

String Quartet

Answer 7

Two violins, a viola and a cello.

Question 8

Ripieno

Answer 8

The main group of ensemble instruments in a concerto grosso.

Question 9

Concertino

Answer 9

The small group of solo instrumentalists in a concerto grosso.

Question 10

Coloratura

Answer 10

High, florid singing involving elaborate ornamentation of a melody.