Rhythms of the World

Question 1

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music melody?

Answer 1

• Simple melodies with lots of ornamentation
• Conjunct movement
• Small range
• Lyrical melodies
• Major and minor scales, but with some chromatic notes
• Melodies often harmonised in 3rds

Question 2

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music instrumentation?

Answer 2

• Bouzouki
• Defi (hand drum) & other hand percussion
• Wind instruments resembling clarinets and recorders

Question 3

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music tonality and harmony?

Answer 3

• Diatonic – major and minor chords (particularly I, IV and V)
• Some modulation (often to relative major or minor)

Question 4

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music texture?

Answer 4

• Melody line prominent, with accompaniment

Question 5

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music tempo, rhythm and metre?

Answer 5

• Irregular time signatures (5/8, 7/8) used, although can use simple time (2/4, 4/4)

Question 6

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music accompaniment?

Answer 6

• Root and fifth of each chord emphasised by bass Quite simple
• Off-beat chords

Question 7

What are the features of a Greek Folk Music timbre and articulation?

Answer 7

• String instruments can be bowed or plucked

* Tremolo and slides

Question 8

What are the features of a Palestinian Folk Music melody?

Answer 8

• Based on maqam (a type of scale that uses microtones)
• Use of Arabic scale
• Improvisation important

Question 9

What are the features of a Palestinian Folk Music instrumentation?

Answer 9

• Doumbek (goblet shaped drum) – 3 tones Doum, Tek and Ka
• Oud (pear shaped string instrument)
• Vocal music

Question 10

What are the features of a Palestinian Folk Music tonality and harmony?

Answer 10

• Drones

* Often only melody and rhythm, no real harmony

Question 11

What are the features of a Palestinian Folk Music tempo, rhythm and metre?

Answer 11

• Rhythmic pattern in Arabic music is called a wazn

* Often free of tempo at beginning

Question 12

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music melody?

Answer 12

• Use of Arabic scale
• Lots of ornamentation
• Melodies generally repeated but get more complex with melodic decoration and ornamentation

Question 13

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music instrumentation?

Answer 13

• Oud can be used

* But more likely to find clarinet, accordion and violin

Question 14

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music tonality and harmony?

Answer 14

• Often minor key

* Often based around I, IV and V

Question 15

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music accompaniment?

Answer 15

• Bass part playing every crotchet beat, on root and fifth of the chord
• Chord instrument playing on the off-beat

Question 16

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music timbre and articulation?

Answer 16

• Pitch bends and grace notes used

Question 17

What are the features of an Israeli Folk Music tempo, rhythm and metre?

Answer 17

• Rhythmic pattern in Arabic music is called a wazn
• 2/4 or 4/4 time signature
• Fast tempo
• Gradual accelerando throughout the performance