Timbre/Sonority and Dynamics Flashcards Preview

SHHS - Music - GCSE Listening Vocabulary > Timbre/Sonority and Dynamics > Flashcards

Flashcards in Timbre/Sonority and Dynamics Deck (35)
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1
Q

Timbre

A

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

2
Q

Portamento / Glissando

A

Sliding between two notes.

3
Q

Reverb

A

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

4
Q

Distortion

A

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)

5
Q

Chorus

A

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

6
Q

Falsetto

A

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

7
Q

Vibrato

A

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

8
Q

Pianissimo

A

(Dynamics) Very quiet

9
Q

Piano

A

(Dynamics) Quiet/Soft

10
Q

Mezzo piano

A

(Dynamics) Fairly quiet

11
Q

Mezzo forte

A

(Dynamics) Fairly loud

12
Q

Forte

A

(Dynamics) Loud

13
Q

Fortissimo

A

(Dynamics) Very loud

14
Q

Crescendo

A

(Dynamics) Gradually getting louder

15
Q

Diminuendo

A

(Dynamics) Gradually getting softer

16
Q

Sforzando

A

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

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

17
Q

Delay

A

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

Audio example has delay effect added.

18
Q

A cappella

A

Unaccompanied voices. Singing with no instruments.

19
Q

Instrumental Family

A

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’.

20
Q

Strings

A

An instrumental family which includes:

Double Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin

Guitars, Electric Guitars, Bass Guitars, Lutes, Ukelele

Etc.

See example here

21
Q

Brass

A

An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:

Tuba, Trombone, French Horn, Trumpet

See examples here

22
Q

Woodwind

A

An instrumental family that includes instruments such as:

Bassoon, Clarinet, Oboe, Flute, Piccolo

Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone, etc.

See examples here

23
Q

Percussion

A

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

24
Q

Soprano

A

High female voice.

25
Q

Alto

A

Low female voice.

26
Q

Contralto

A

Very low female voice.

27
Q

Tenor

A

High male voice.

28
Q

Bass

A

Low male voice.

29
Q

Countertenor

A

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

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

30
Q

Con Arco

A

To play a string instrument with the bow.

31
Q

Pizzicato

A

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

32
Q

Con sordino

A

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

33
Q

Double-Stopping

A

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

34
Q

Tremolo

A

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

35
Q

Continuo

A

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