Timbre/Sonority and Dynamics Flashcards
Timbre
The unique quality of sound produced by different instruments. The thing that makes instruments sound different from each other.
Portamento / Glissando
Sliding between two notes.
Reverb
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
Distortion
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)
Chorus
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
Falsetto
A vocal technique where a male singer makes their voice go very high (think of Coldplay choruses!)
Vibrato
A slight variation in pitch which sounds intense. It is used a lot in opera (vocal) performance, and by string instruments.
Pianissimo
(Dynamics) Very quiet
Piano
(Dynamics) Quiet/Soft
Mezzo piano
(Dynamics) Fairly quiet
Mezzo forte
(Dynamics) Fairly loud
Forte
(Dynamics) Loud
Fortissimo
(Dynamics) Very loud
Crescendo
(Dynamics) Gradually getting louder
Diminuendo
(Dynamics) Gradually getting softer
Sforzando
(Dynamics) Strong attack to a note, a sudden beginning
Audio example is the opening to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele (2012).
Delay
An electronic effect which adds one or more echoes of the original track.
Audio example has delay effect added.
A cappella
Unaccompanied voices. Singing with no instruments.
Instrumental Family
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’.
Strings
An instrumental family which includes:
Double Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin
Guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass Guitars, Lutes, Ukelele
Etc.
See example here
Brass
An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:
Tuba, Trombone, French Horn, Trumpet
See examples here
Woodwind
An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:
Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piccolo
Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone, etc.
See examples here
Percussion
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
Soprano
High female voice.
Alto
Low female voice.
Contralto
Very low female voice.
Tenor
High male voice.
Bass
Low male voice.
Countertenor
Very high male voice (sung in falsetto, but very beautifully).
Audio Example is by Vivaldi, and was used in the film Spectre.
Con Arco
To play a string instrument with the bow.
Pizzicato
To pluck the string instrument, creating a very short and sudden sound.
Con sordino
String technique, to use the mute. Creates a darker, more mysterious string sound.
Double-Stopping
String technique (for bowed instruments): it means playing two strings at once to create simple chords.
Tremolo
String technique where you bow the strings very rapidly to produce a shimmering sound.
Continuo
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
