Timbre/Sonority and Dynamics

Question 1

Timbre

Answer 1

The unique quality of sound produced by different instruments. The thing that makes instruments sound different from each other.

Question 2

Portamento / Glissando

Answer 2

Sliding between two notes.

Question 3

Reverb

Answer 3

An electronic effect which creates the illusion of space - eg, reverb makes it sound like the performer is in a larger room than they actually are. It can be very atmospheric.

Audio Example: dry version (no reverb), followed by same recording with reverb added

Question 4

Distortion

Answer 4

An electronic effect which makes the timbre sound aggressive and harsh.

Used a lot in rock music, particularly on electric guitars - such as in this audio example: ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’ by Oasis (1996)

Question 5

Chorus

Answer 5

An electronic effect which gives the impression of there being many performers playing the same thing.

Audio example: clean version (no chorus effect), followed by version with chorus added

Question 6

Falsetto

Answer 6

A vocal technique where a male singer makes their voice go very high (think of Coldplay choruses!)

Question 7

Vibrato

Answer 7

A slight variation in pitch which sounds intense. It is used a lot in opera (vocal) performance, and by string instruments.

Question 8

Pianissimo

Answer 8

(Dynamics) Very quiet

Question 9

Piano

Answer 9

(Dynamics) Quiet/Soft

Question 10

Mezzo piano

Answer 10

(Dynamics) Fairly quiet

Question 11

Mezzo forte

Answer 11

(Dynamics) Fairly loud

Question 12

Forte

Answer 12

(Dynamics) Loud

Question 13

Fortissimo

Answer 13

(Dynamics) Very loud

Question 14

Crescendo

Answer 14

(Dynamics) Gradually getting louder

Question 15

Diminuendo

Answer 15

(Dynamics) Gradually getting softer

Question 16

Sforzando

Answer 16

(Dynamics) Strong attack to a note, a sudden beginning

Audio example is the opening to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele (2012).

Question 17

Delay

Answer 17

An electronic effect which adds one or more echoes of the original track.

Audio example has delay effect added.

Question 18

A cappella

Answer 18

Unaccompanied voices. Singing with no instruments.

Question 19

Instrumental Family

Answer 19

Instruments which are similar to each other are grouped into ‘families’.

They are often made out of similar materials, and produce sound in a similar way.

In orchestras, instrumental families tend to sit together in ‘sections’.

Question 20

Strings

Answer 20

An instrumental family which includes:

Double Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin

Guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass Guitars, Lutes, Ukelele

Etc.

See example here

Question 21

Brass

Answer 21

An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:

Tuba, Trombone, French Horn, Trumpet

See examples here

Question 22

Woodwind

Answer 22

An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:

Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piccolo

Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone, etc.

See examples here

Question 23

Percussion

Answer 23

An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:

Drum Kit, Snare drum, Bass drum, Triangle, Cymbals, Timpani (Kettle Drum), Tambourine

Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Metallophone, etc.

Piano!

See example here

Question 24

Soprano

Answer 24

High female voice.

Question 25

Alto

Answer 25

Low female voice.

Question 26

Contralto

Answer 26

Very low female voice.

Question 27

Tenor

Answer 27

High male voice.

Question 28

Bass

Answer 28

Low male voice.

Question 29

Countertenor

Answer 29

Very high male voice (sung in falsetto, but very beautifully).

Audio Example is by Vivaldi, and was used in the film Spectre.

Question 30

Con Arco

Answer 30

To play a string instrument with the bow.

Question 31

Pizzicato

Answer 31

To pluck the string instrument, creating a very short and sudden sound.

Question 32

Con sordino

Answer 32

String technique, to use the mute. Creates a darker, more mysterious string sound.

Question 33

Double-Stopping

Answer 33

String technique (for bowed instruments): it means playing two strings at once to create simple chords.

Question 34

Tremolo

Answer 34

String technique where you bow the strings very rapidly to produce a shimmering sound.

Question 35

Continuo

Answer 35

A continuous accompaniment part used throughout the Baroque period, featuring a bass instrument (cello or similar), and a chordal instrument (harpsichord, organ, lute).

Eg: the accompaniment to this bit of recitative