Chapter 9: Voices and Instrument Families

Question 1

Instrument

Answer 1

Mechanism that generates musical vibrations and transmits them into the air

Question 2

Soprano

Answer 2

Highest-ranged voice, usually possessed by women and boys

Question 3

Alto

Answer 3

Lowest of the female voices; AKA contralto

Question 4

Tenor

Answer 4

Male voice of high range; also a part, often structural, in polyphony

Question 5

Bass

Answer 5

Lowest of the male voices

Question 6

Aerophone

Answer 6

Instruments such as a flute, whistle, or horn that produce sound by using air as the primary vibrating means

Question 7

Chordophone

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Idiophone

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Membranophone

Answer 9

An instrument that produces sound from tightly stretched membranes that can be struck; drums

Question 10

What is timbre influenced by?

Answer 10

Size, shape, proportions, material of the instrument as well as the manner in which the sound is produced

Question 11

Register

Answer 11

Specific area in the range of an instrument or voice

Question 12

True or False: Each voice type and instrument has a limited melodic range and dynamic range.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

Mezzo-soprano

Answer 13

Female voice of middle range

Question 14

Baritone

Answer 14

Male voice of moderately low range

Question 15

Vibrato

Answer 15

Small fluctuation of pitch used as an expressive device to intensify a sound

Question 16

In earlier eras where women’s participation in musical events was extremely limited, who would sing the female parts of music?

Answer 16

Young boys and men with soprano and alto voice ranges

Question 17

When did women singers come into prominence?

Answer 17

In the sixteenth century with secular music

Question 18

When did basses and baritones become popular soloists?

Answer 18

In the eighteenth century

Question 19

Bagpipe

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is the classification of an instrument that makes sound from the substance itself?

Answer 20

Idiophone

Question 21

Which terms are used to describe female vocal ranges?

Answer 21

Soprano
Mezzo-soprano
Alto

Question 22

True or False: Steel drums are considered idiophones.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

True or False: A mbira is considered a membranophone.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

Which terms are used to describe male vocal ranges?

Answer 24

Bass
Tenor
Baritone

Question 25

Match each of the instruments to their classifications:
Guitar
Whistle
Bagpipe
Steel drums
Violin
Flute

Answer 25

Guitar and violin: Chordophones
Steel drums: Idiophone
Bagpipe, whistle, flute: Aerophones