Chapter 9: Voices and Instrument Families Flashcards
Instrument
Mechanism that generates musical vibrations and transmits them into the air
Soprano
Highest-ranged voice, usually possessed by women and boys
Alto
Lowest of the female voices; AKA contralto
Tenor
Male voice of high range; also a part, often structural, in polyphony
Bass
Lowest of the male voices
Aerophone
Instruments such as a flute, whistle, or horn that produce sound by using air as the primary vibrating means
Chordophone
Instrument that produces sound from a vibrating string stretched between two points, which may be set in motion by bowing, striking, or plucking; includes violins and guitars
Idiophone
Instrument that produces sound from the substance of the instrument itself by being struck, blown, scraped, shaken, or rubbed; includes bells, xylophones, rattles, and cymbals
Membranophone
An instrument that produces sound from tightly stretched membranes that can be struck; drums
What is timbre influenced by?
Size, shape, proportions, material of the instrument as well as the manner in which the sound is produced
Register
Specific area in the range of an instrument or voice
True or False: Each voice type and instrument has a limited melodic range and dynamic range.
True
Mezzo-soprano
Female voice of middle range
Baritone
Male voice of moderately low range
Vibrato
Small fluctuation of pitch used as an expressive device to intensify a sound
In earlier eras where women’s participation in musical events was extremely limited, who would sing the female parts of music?
Young boys and men with soprano and alto voice ranges
When did women singers come into prominence?
In the sixteenth century with secular music
When did basses and baritones become popular soloists?
In the eighteenth century
Bagpipe
Wind instrument popular in eastern and western Europe that has several tubes, one of which plays the melody while the others sound the drones, or sustained notes; filled by either a mouth pipe or a set of bellows
What is the classification of an instrument that makes sound from the substance itself?
Idiophone
Which terms are used to describe female vocal ranges?
Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
Alto
True or False: Steel drums are considered idiophones.
True
True or False: A mbira is considered a membranophone.
False
Which terms are used to describe male vocal ranges?
Bass
Tenor
Baritone
Match each of the instruments to their classifications: Guitar Whistle Bagpipe Steel drums Violin Flute
Guitar and violin: Chordophones
Steel drums: Idiophone
Bagpipe, whistle, flute: Aerophones
