Instructions: Below are five musical examples with a series of questions. Choose four of the five examples, and after listening carefully to the musical examples answer the following questions. Only four of your answers will be graded so do not answer all five.
Unless specified otherwise answer all questions in complete sentences.
Example #1
Name the type of music in the example: (a one word answer is fine)
First impressions:
Is this an ensemble recording, or an individual solo?
Describe the timbre of the music and, based on your listening, identify what type(s) of instrument(s) (aerophones, membranophones, etc.) you hear.
Instruments such as those used in the recording are also called _______, on account of the material from which they are made. (a one word answer is fine)
How does the tempo shift throughout the course of the performance?
Aural Analysis:
At times, the music involves performers to play interlocking parts to create rhythmically dense phrases. What is this technique called? Describe this technique/process.
How would you label the performance’s phonic structure?
In terms of this performance’s overall rhythmic structure, rhythmic emphasis is placed on the end of the musical phrase. What is this type of structuring called?
This performance has a very distinctive twinkle or shimmer to it. What causes this?
Cultural Considerations:
Performances of this type of music often occur at temples or festivals of what religion?
This type of music can also accompany a type of puppet theatre known as __________. (a one word answer is fine)
Example #2
Name the type of music in the example: (a one word answer is fine)
First Impressions:
Is this an individual solo performance or an ensemble?
Describe the vocal timbre of this example. How are the words being sung?
Aural Analysis:
A person who performs this example is known as a(n) __________. (a one word answer is fine)
The performer often extends the duration of particular syllables while changing notes. What is this style of ornamented singing called?
Frequently heard in this example is the phrase “God is great”, albeit not in the English language. In what language is this example performed and what is this phrase?
Cultural Considerations:
To which religion is this example associated?
Where is such an example performed and what is its purpose?
To this religion, is the example considered to be “music”? Why or why not?
Example #3:
Name the type of music in the example: (a one word answer is fine)
First Impressions:
Describe the timbre of the music being played in this example.
What type of instrument (aerophones, membranophones, etc.) can you hear being played?
What sort of “toy” does this example sound like?
Aural Analysis:
The instruments in this example are known as __________, being constructed of many thin pieces of metal. (a one word answer is fine)
There are two melodic parts being played in this example, the _________, the lead part played in the higher range, and the ________, a “following” part played in the lower range. (one word answers are fine)
These two melodic parts are also played in different rhythmic meters. What is it called when such patterns in different rhythmic groupings are played simultaneously?
Cultural Considerations:
Specifically, in what region and country is this type of music played?
In what type of contexts is this music played?
Is this instrument played by amateurs or skilled professionals? Why?
Example #4:
Name the type of music in the example: (a one word answer is fine)
First Impressions:
Describe the timbre of the voices.
The example involves only vocal performers, no instruments, which is known as __________. (a one word answer is fine)
Aural Analysis:
While choral music is common in the region from which this music example comes, what two elements suggest a European influence?
What is the phonic structure of this example?
Cultural Considerations:
This type of music was originally performed in large, communal meetinghouses known as ________. (a one word answer is fine)
What could be the reason for the lack of musical instruments in this example? (think geography)
Explain two ways in which the traditional style of this music was changed as a result of European colonialism.
Example #5
Name the type of music in the example: (a one word answer is fine)
First impressions:
Describe the timbre of the music and, based on your listening, identify what types of instruments (aerophones, membranophones, etc.) you hear.
Aural Analysis:
The melodic instruments that are being played are called __________. (a one word answer is fine)
Why do performances of this music often involve more than one of these particular instruments?
What two types of drums are played in this type of music?
This type of music often involves numerous melodic lines that start on different pitches, which is called ____________.
Cultural Considerations:
At what type of occasions is this type of music typically played?
How does the music contribute to the social relationships among its performing communities?
