Musical Characteristics To Listen For
Timbre – the individual color of a sound; the “soundprint” of a musician, instrument, or voice. Many adjectives are used to describe the tone color of a voice or an instrument. Timbre is important for us to recognize as each instrument and voice has its own unique color(s) of sound.
Beat or Pulse – the basic quarter note primary rhythm that is constant throughout a song.
Tempo – the rate of speed (fast or slow) that the basic pulse or beat is occurring. A metronome is a device that can lock in a specific tempo such as 120 beats per minute.
Meter or Time Signature – the number of beats per measure of music i.e. 4/4 time.
The majority of all popular music worldwide is in 4/4 time.
In 4/4:
The top number indicates how many beats there are (like the numerator in a fraction) per measure of music—in this case, 4 beats per measure of music.
The bottom number indicates what kind of beats they are (like the denominator in a fraction)—in this case, quarter note beats.
In many non-western cultures music is organized in cycles containing more beats that just 4. These metric cycles (such as the Tala in India) contain as many as 10, 12, or 16 beats per cycle.
Rhythms – the infinite variety of note lengths and rests in music. Students should listen for repeated rhythmic patterns in music.
Polyrhythm – When two or more different rhythms sound at the same time.
Ostinato – a recurring musical figure (commonly a rhythmic pattern of just a few notes) that can serve the underlying repeated foundation in a song, or as the basis for an entire music composition.
Riff – a repeated pattern that generates rhythmic momentum; and because of its repetition, can also serve as a melody.
Hook – a memorable musical phrase or riff.
Groove – a term that evokes the channeled flow of “swinging” or “funky” rhythms; it is the “feel” of the rhythmic flow.
Pitch – the number of beats per second that the inner ear vibrates determines the pitch we actually hear (the frequency).
This frequency is measured in hertz (Hz).
“A” 440Hz is higher than “A” 220Hz.
Scale – An ascending and/or descending series of notes of different pitch. Songs and other music compositions are typically “built” from the notes of particular scales. Scales such as the chromatic, major, minor, pentatonic, and blues scales are important types used in Western Art Classical music and in popular genres like folk, blues, jazz, country, and rock.
Melody – a sequence of pitches usually heard in the foreground of the music. Also called a “tune”.
Harmony – the series of chords or individual notes that support a melody.
Dm7 G7 C (D minor7 to G dominant7 to C Major) D minor7 to G dominant7 to C Major7 D minor7 to G dominant7th with an added 9th to C Major7
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Harmony is common in all popular music (rock, pop, blues, jazz etc.) and in western classical music.
Harmony is not used as the basis for music composition in many non-western cultures such as the Northern Hindustani and Southern Karnatak classical music of India, and in the Gamelan music of Indonesia.
Consonance – A combination of pitches (tones) that seem stable and restful to the ear.
Dissonance – A combination of pitches (tones) that seem unstable and tense to the ear.
A Quick Listen to Examples of Consonance and Dissonance
Dynamics – the volume (loud and soft) level in music.
In Western classical music the designation “f” is Forte = Loud
In Western classical music the designation “p” is Piano = Soft
Listen for changes in Dynamics – this can be gradual or sudden.
Crescendo is a gradual increase in volume.
Decrescendo (diminuendo) is a gradual decrease in volume.
Subito Forte – is when the music is suddenly loud.
Subito Piano – is when the music is suddenly soft.
Musical Texture – music can have a variety of different textures. Think of what it is like when you pick up and hold one single sheet of paper between your fingers. Compare that to holding 2, 3, 4, or 5 sheets of paper between your fingers. You can easily feel the difference in textures—one sheet is thin and light in weight; while the two or more sheets feel more dense and weighted. Music shares this textural characteristic.
Monophonic texture is when the music only has one note sounding at a time – this is common in most forms of Chant. (one single sheet of paper)
Polyphonic texture is when the music has two or more notes sounding at a time – this is the texture we hear in most of the music we experience. (two or more sheets of paper)
Choose a rock n roll song and prepare a handout such as PowerPoint, Prezi, WORD, or Keynote for the seminar students that include the following:
•Material facts about the song such as the title, the name of the band or performing artist, the musicians and their respective instruments or voice, the composer(s), the recording dates, record label, the style “genre” of Rock represented, etc.
•Connections between the song and society
•The importance of the primary performer of the song
•A history of the song such as considerations of other performers who may have also recorded it—a cover song
•List any musical characteristics you notice in the music such as tempo, texture, timbres, mood conveyed, meter, dynamics, improvisational style, etc.
•Your connections to the song – its meaning for you, its identity
