Chapter 5 - Timbre Flashcards
Quality of sound characteristic of a particular voice or instrument
Timbre
The word we use to describe timbre
Color
Female vocal timbre - 3 most common
Soprano - high
Mezzo Soprano - some high/some low
Alto - low
Female with extremely low range? An unusual female timbre
Contralto
Extremely high soprano range? Unusual female timbre
Coloratura soprano
Male vocal timbre - 3 most common
Tenor - high
Baritone - some high/some low
Bass - low
Male voice that has natural soprano capabilities? Unusual male timbre
Counter Tenor
Literally “fake voice” - a manipulation of the vocal chords. An unusual male timbre
Falsetto
String instruments fall into this category because?
Because they have strings
You actively play the strings on a string instrument? True or false
True
Four most common string instrument found in an orchestra
Violin - Soprano
Viola - Alto
Cello - Tenor
String Bass/Upright Bass/Double Bass - Bass
String instruments are categorized in these
Registers
Other stringed instruments that are not found in an orchestra
Banjo
Harp
Mandolin
Guitar
What is the difference between the bass and the cello?
Size and tuning
To pluck or strum the strings on a string instrument that is typically bowed
Pizzicato
Strings are equivalent to the white keys on the piano and the foot pedals play sharps and flats on this instrument
Harp
Why are woodwinds instruments found in this family?
Because they are classified as reed instruments. Also known as wind instruments
How is sound created in woodwind instruments
Air has to be blown through the instrument
How are sound waves produced in woodwind instruments?
Air vibrates against a reed or by the air stream being bent
Which woodwind instruments have no reed
Flute and piccolo
Woodwind instruments with a single reed
Saxophones and clarinets
Woodwind instruments with double reeds
Oboe, English horn, and Bassoon
What is the highest saxophone
Soprano saxophone
Saxophone with some high and some low
Alto saxophone and barritone saxophone
Lowest saxophone
Bass sax
Why are brass instruments classified in this category
Because sound waves are created by vibrating the lips in a bell shaped mouth piece
The way in which a player applies the mouth to the mouthpiece of a brass or wind instrument.
Embouchure
Instruments found in the brass category
Trumpet
Trombone
French horn
Tuba
Why are instruments classified as percussion instruments
Because sound is produced with the hand by striking, shaking, hitting
What are the two categories of percussion instruments?
Pitched and non-pitched
A specific pitch can be found from the sound waves produced
Definite (pitch)
No specific pitch can be found - rather, a cluster of pitches close to each other
Indefinite pitch (nonpitch)
A regular drum is considered to be an indefinite pitch
True
A xylophone is considered to be a definite pitch
True
What family produces the widest variety of timbres of all the instrument families
Percussion
Which type of instruments use some type of chain reaction to create sound waves
Keyboard
Plucks the strings
Plectrum
Mutes the string when a key is released
Felt
Multiple keyboard
Manuals
Which instruments are considered keyboard instruments
Piano, electric keyboard, pipe organ, electric organ,
Finger presses a key, key triggers a hammer, hammer hits a string
Piano
Finger presses a key, sound is digitally simulated
Electric keyboard
Air is pushed through pipes to create a sound
Organ
The sound of pipes is simulated electronically
Electric organ
The levels on an organ
Manuals
Controls dynamics on an organ
Swell pedal
Keyboard for your feet on an organ
Pedal board
Levers, buttons, handles on the organ
Stops
Drum sets are nonpitched because they cant play a song
True
What are some types of drums that do not make pitches
Congas and bongos
Which is bigger? A conga or bongo
Conga is bigger
Bongo is smaller
What is the instrument called that is shorter than a conga with a rope
Djembe
A box instrument with beads on a string found inside
Cajon (CAH-HONE)
Allows computerized instruments to communicate
MIDI - Musical instrument digital interface
