Lesson 2 Key Terms & Conceptd

Question 0

Consonance

Answer 0

A combination of pitches that are based on the same fundamental pitch. Every note has several related pitches, or overtones, that vibrate at the same time that the fundamental pitch is sounded. The notes in this “harmonic series” are always in the same sequence, though the characteristic sound of an instrument is influenced by the presence or absence of particular tones in the series

Question 1

Dissonance

Answer 1

A combination of notes that seen unrelated or harsh. Too many dissonant sounds make most listeners uncomfortable

Question 2

Amplitude

Answer 2

The volume of a sound. Amplitude is measured by the height and depth if its waveform

Question 3

Frequency

Answer 3

The length of a sound wave; the number of vibrations per second. Every pitch has a specific frequency. For example, the note A above middle C, commonly tuned, vibrates 440 times per second

Question 4

Synthesizer

Answer 4

A tone generator, often a keyboard. Sounds imitating either acoustic instruments or new and unique waveforms are created using a synthesizer

Question 5

Intonation

Answer 5

Accuracy of pitch. Good intonation, being in tune, is the exact sounding of a specific pitch, without being slightly above of below the standard

Question 6

Tuning up

Answer 6

The process of bringing two or more instruments in agreement on pitch. Once music instruments are tuned, the music can be better controlled by the musicians

Question 7

Instrument family

Answer 7

Instruments in the modern symphony orchestra that share the same means if creating sound (strings, woodwind a, brass, percussion)

Question 8

Pizzicato

Answer 8

The technique if plucking a stringed instrument rather than bowing it

Question 9

Ensemble

Answer 9

A group of instrumentalists or singers. Usually implies a smaller group

Question 10

Sampling

Answer 10

Recording and digitally re-creating existing waveforms. Any sound can be recorded and it’s waveform digitally plotted. Upon request, the synthesizer can be read out this code and recreate an exact copy of the original sound

Question 11

MIDI

Answer 11

The acronym for musical instrument digital interface. This process transmits data between two or more electronic instruments, allowing them to communicate and play together

Question 12

Sequenced

Answer 12

Music that is the product of electronic processing of the musical parts of a composition. The parts are played separately and stored as data in a computer. The data is combined and organized by the computer to be played together later