Dynamics and expressive techniques Flashcards
Dynamics
ppp, pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, fff
pianoforte
soft then immediately loud
sforzando
loud and accented
- How do the dynamics change?
sudden/ gradual/ constant/static/ Terraced dynamics crescendo, diminuendo, subito Are there silences?
Terraced dynamics
having different sections of immediately contrasted dynamics
What are terraced dynamics a feature of?
baroque and renaissance period music
How should you answer this sort of question?
Divide song up into sections to analyse
- Describe changes in volume w. Italian terms
- How it changes
- Link changes to other concepts
- How can you link changes in dynamics to other concepts?
Do specific sections of the song have associated dynamics
Link …….. density to ……
link textural density to dynamic change (a large busy texture will usually be forte)
How could you link pitch to dynamics and expressive techniques?
Are specific pitch registers associated with specific volumes
eg.(high pitch register is always pianissimo)
In what way could you link ostinato/riffs to dynamics and expressive techniques?
are they associated with certain dynamics? You could also link different parts of the structure to dynamics (soft verse, loud chorus)
What should you listen for that might be different?
Unorthodox playing of an instrument, just describe what you hear eg. screaming voice, tapped violin
What should you talk about for expressive techniques?
Changes in tempo
Articulation
electronic effects
Distortion Attack Decay Delay Effects pedal Panning Vocoder
What is delay
repetition of a sound(s)
What is panning
moving noise between speakers
What’s a vocoder
something that changes sound of voice, distorting it
Some vocal techniques
Scat Rap Syllabic singing Melismas Vibrato Screaming, panting, whispering Bends
What is rap typical of
rap & hiphop
where are Scat & bends found
found in jazz
where is syllabic singing found
medieval
Art music
Pop
Where are trills, mordents, turns, acciaccaturas and appoggiaturas found?
Western art music, esp in classical & baroque
Mordent
note then note above it (upper)
or note then note below it (lower)
Stringed instruments techniques
pizzicato con sordino sul ponticello spicatto harmonics double stopping vibrato
Percussive techniques
rim shot
drum roll
with mallets, brushes or hard sticks
Brass techniques & woodwind
mute flutter tonguing pitch bending glissandos speaking into vibrato
What must you link the expressive techniques to?
Why are they used? What mood do they create? IS there word matching?
Relate techniques to music/theme/ideas/title
and to TONE colour
How does legato effect mood?
Smooth and romantic
How does marcato notes effect mood?
rigid and aggressive
What should you relate dynamics to?
How they are altered by the expressive techniques
If discussing both dynamics and expressive techniques what should you do?
Have a heading for each to make answers more visible
Dolce
sweetly
Cantabile
singing style
Con forza
forcefully
Con grazia
gracefully
Tranquilo
calm, quiet manner
Acronym of what to do ina D and E question
I
T
C
H
I
Identify each inst, how its produced and role
T
Term (Italian ) to describe what is happening in melody, tempo, dynamics –> look for changes
C
Changes:
- -dynamics
- -tempo
- -articulation
- identify major changes between sections
H
How is each instrument played?
Name expressive technique used to produce sound
flanging (synthesisor/electronic sounds)
fading in and out
panning
sound moves btw different speakers
echo
sound is repeated
articulation patterns
staccato, legato, tenuto
are these dynamics achieved by?
a) All the instruments playing loudly or softly
b) Adding or Subtracting instruments?
c) Terraced dynamics – the way the instruments are played
how are the notes articulated?
Smoothly (legato) -
Short & Detached (staccato) -
Plucked (pizzicato) -
Bowed (arco)
what is a drum roll
ornamentation
con grazia
with grace
agitato
agitated
larghetto
rather broadly
