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Questions and Answers
What was one of the primary reasons that theater owners in the 1890s began to have music played to accompany the projection of silent movies?
What was one of the primary reasons that theater owners in the 1890s began to have music played to accompany the projection of silent movies?
Music distracted the audience's attention away from the loud noises made by the film projectors.
What was the purpose of Max Winkler's cue sheets of the early 1900s?
What was the purpose of Max Winkler's cue sheets of the early 1900s?
The cue sheets indicated exactly what part of which musical examples to play to imply various moods.
What invention, created by the Warner Brothers Studio in 1926, allowed music recorded on phonograph records to be played simultaneously with a film?
What invention, created by the Warner Brothers Studio in 1926, allowed music recorded on phonograph records to be played simultaneously with a film?
Vitaphone system
What was Max Steiner's first major achievement in film music that helped save a studio from closing its doors?
What was Max Steiner's first major achievement in film music that helped save a studio from closing its doors?
What composer wrote the music for the films King Kong (1933) and Gone With the Wind (1939)?
What composer wrote the music for the films King Kong (1933) and Gone With the Wind (1939)?
True or false: Theaters started to provide live music because projectors used to show silent films were very noisy.
True or false: Theaters started to provide live music because projectors used to show silent films were very noisy.
What type of content was found in the cue sheets of Max Winkler?
What type of content was found in the cue sheets of Max Winkler?
What was the first movie, starring Al Jolson, to include synchronized dialogue and a song?
What was the first movie, starring Al Jolson, to include synchronized dialogue and a song?
Which are the musical connections and influences surrounding early film composer Max Steiner?
Which are the musical connections and influences surrounding early film composer Max Steiner?
For what film was Max Steiner's famous 'Tara's Theme' written?
For what film was Max Steiner's famous 'Tara's Theme' written?
With which movie director did Bernard Herrmann frequently collaborate?
With which movie director did Bernard Herrmann frequently collaborate?
What composer won an Academy Award for his score for The Heiress (1948)?
What composer won an Academy Award for his score for The Heiress (1948)?
Which compositions can be heard in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)?
Which compositions can be heard in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)?
For what 1975 thriller directed by Stephen Spielberg did composer John Williams write the score?
For what 1975 thriller directed by Stephen Spielberg did composer John Williams write the score?
Which composer wrote the music for Orson Welles' Citizen Kane?
Which composer wrote the music for Orson Welles' Citizen Kane?
What music did Copland create to help save a scene from the movie The Heiress (1948)?
What music did Copland create to help save a scene from the movie The Heiress (1948)?
In what musical genre is the heroic theme written?
In what musical genre is the heroic theme written?
What 1968 movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, borrowed its soundtrack from previously composed music?
What 1968 movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, borrowed its soundtrack from previously composed music?
What composer did movie director George Lucas choose to write music for Star Wars (1977)?
What composer did movie director George Lucas choose to write music for Star Wars (1977)?
Which composer won an Academy Award for The Heiress's movie score?
Which composer won an Academy Award for The Heiress's movie score?
What technique did composer John Williams borrow from Wagner, which marries music themes with people and places on the screen?
What technique did composer John Williams borrow from Wagner, which marries music themes with people and places on the screen?
What is the meter of the theme 'Srepegan (slendro nim)'?
What is the meter of the theme 'Srepegan (slendro nim)'?
Who is the American composer whose music accompanies the films Citizen Kane, Vertigo, and Psycho?
Who is the American composer whose music accompanies the films Citizen Kane, Vertigo, and Psycho?
Which composers heavily influenced John Williams's score to Star Wars?
Which composers heavily influenced John Williams's score to Star Wars?
In what ways did the synthesizer revolutionize film music?
In what ways did the synthesizer revolutionize film music?
Who invented a synthesizer in 1964 which would immediately become popular through Walter Carlos's album, Switched-On Bach?
Who invented a synthesizer in 1964 which would immediately become popular through Walter Carlos's album, Switched-On Bach?
Which British rock guitarist studied the sitar with classical Indian musician Ravi Shankar?
Which British rock guitarist studied the sitar with classical Indian musician Ravi Shankar?
How is the compositional approach of James Horner best described regarding his use of electronic music in film?
How is the compositional approach of James Horner best described regarding his use of electronic music in film?
What West African artist worked with British producer Peter Gabriel, which helped to popularize his unique vocal style?
What West African artist worked with British producer Peter Gabriel, which helped to popularize his unique vocal style?
What composers produce music that is highly influenced by non-Western music?
What composers produce music that is highly influenced by non-Western music?
At what festival were American audiences exposed to Indian music, especially the sitar playing of Ravi Shankar?
At what festival were American audiences exposed to Indian music, especially the sitar playing of Ravi Shankar?
The didjeridoo is a(n) ______ instrument.
The didjeridoo is a(n) ______ instrument.
What developments resulted from the World Exposition in Paris in 1889?
What developments resulted from the World Exposition in Paris in 1889?
Who invented a synthesizer in 1964 which would immediately become popular through Walter Carlos's album, Switched-On Bach?
Who invented a synthesizer in 1964 which would immediately become popular through Walter Carlos's album, Switched-On Bach?
What string quartet group, from San Francisco, has incorporated much music from non-Western cultures into its repertoire?
What string quartet group, from San Francisco, has incorporated much music from non-Western cultures into its repertoire?
What popular music has gained universal acceptance?
What popular music has gained universal acceptance?
In what ways have Americans learned about the music and customs of non-Western cultures in the twentieth century?
In what ways have Americans learned about the music and customs of non-Western cultures in the twentieth century?
What is the name of the organization begun by cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 1998 to encourage cooperation and exchanges between musicians in America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East?
What is the name of the organization begun by cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 1998 to encourage cooperation and exchanges between musicians in America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East?
What descriptions apply to folk music or world music?
What descriptions apply to folk music or world music?
What did the Silk Road Project do?
What did the Silk Road Project do?
Intervals smaller than the half step of Western music, used in some non-Western music, are called ______.
Intervals smaller than the half step of Western music, used in some non-Western music, are called ______.
What is oral tradition in music?
What is oral tradition in music?
What is heterophonic texture?
What is heterophonic texture?
Pitch sequences known as ragas are used in the traditional music of which country?
Pitch sequences known as ragas are used in the traditional music of which country?
What term is used to describe the use of simultaneous yet independent rhythms, common to much of the traditional music of Africa?
What term is used to describe the use of simultaneous yet independent rhythms, common to much of the traditional music of Africa?
When two or more individuals perform the same melody simultaneously, and they each add rhythmic or melodic modifications as they play or sing, the resultant texture is called ______.
When two or more individuals perform the same melody simultaneously, and they each add rhythmic or melodic modifications as they play or sing, the resultant texture is called ______.
The India tabla, a pair of drums played with the hands, belong to which instrumental group?
The India tabla, a pair of drums played with the hands, belong to which instrumental group?
The rhythmic sophistication found in much traditional African music greatly influenced the development of what type of Western music?
The rhythmic sophistication found in much traditional African music greatly influenced the development of what type of Western music?
With what area of the world is the ensemble known as a gamelan associated?
With what area of the world is the ensemble known as a gamelan associated?
True or false: In this music, 'Srepegan (slendro nim),' the beat is clear and the tempo is quite steady.
True or false: In this music, 'Srepegan (slendro nim),' the beat is clear and the tempo is quite steady.
From what composition is this excerpt, 'Srepegan (slendro nim),' Indonesian gamelan ensemble?
From what composition is this excerpt, 'Srepegan (slendro nim),' Indonesian gamelan ensemble?
Match the instrument to its category:
Match the instrument to its category:
What categories accurately describe the most typical types of instruments in the gamelan ensemble?
What categories accurately describe the most typical types of instruments in the gamelan ensemble?
What are the most prominent types of sounds in the music, 'Srepegan (slendro nim)?'
What are the most prominent types of sounds in the music, 'Srepegan (slendro nim)?'
What are the possible meters for this excerpt?
What are the possible meters for this excerpt?
In ancient Chinese music, to what natural phenomena did the twelve tones, or lu, compare?
In ancient Chinese music, to what natural phenomena did the twelve tones, or lu, compare?
The pi-p'a, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, belongs to which instrumental group?
The pi-p'a, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, belongs to which instrumental group?
In ancient Chinese music, to what does the concept of huang chung refer?
In ancient Chinese music, to what does the concept of huang chung refer?
What type of scale is the traditional Chinese piece, 'Moonlight on the Ching Yang River,' based on?
What type of scale is the traditional Chinese piece, 'Moonlight on the Ching Yang River,' based on?
What is a raga?
What is a raga?
Because of the mystical significance of the huang chung and the twelve tones of the lu, what did the ancient Chinese view as the highest musical achievement?
Because of the mystical significance of the huang chung and the twelve tones of the lu, what did the ancient Chinese view as the highest musical achievement?
What are the characteristics of the traditional Chinese piece, 'Moonlight on the Ching Yang River?'
What are the characteristics of the traditional Chinese piece, 'Moonlight on the Ching Yang River?'
How can the textures best be described in this music?
How can the textures best be described in this music?
What are the goals of the performance of classical music of India?
What are the goals of the performance of classical music of India?
What is a student expected to do during his years with a guru?
What is a student expected to do during his years with a guru?
What is a student expected to do during his years with a guru?
What is a student expected to do during his years with a guru?
What Indian instrument is a long-necked lute, played with fingertips, and with movable frets and numerous strings used for melody, drone, and sympathetic vibrations?
What Indian instrument is a long-necked lute, played with fingertips, and with movable frets and numerous strings used for melody, drone, and sympathetic vibrations?
In what way is music and language closely related in many African cultures?
In what way is music and language closely related in many African cultures?
What composition is this work of music?
What composition is this work of music?
How is the character of music in African societies best described?
How is the character of music in African societies best described?
In West African cultures, a village's primary singer who functions as a tribal historian is called a ______.
In West African cultures, a village's primary singer who functions as a tribal historian is called a ______.
What percussion instruments are part of an Ewe drum ensemble?
What percussion instruments are part of an Ewe drum ensemble?
What composition is this work of music?
What composition is this work of music?
With whom did Henry Cowell study?
With whom did Henry Cowell study?
What type of music did Henry Cowell study in Berlin, supported by a Guggenheim Foundation grant?
What type of music did Henry Cowell study in Berlin, supported by a Guggenheim Foundation grant?
Which elements are typically a part of an Ewe drum ensemble?
Which elements are typically a part of an Ewe drum ensemble?
What are the possible meters for this excerpt?
What are the possible meters for this excerpt?
What reasons prompted John Cage to place various hardware items on and between the strings of a piano?
What reasons prompted John Cage to place various hardware items on and between the strings of a piano?
In what ways did John Cage's interest in Eastern cultures influence his musical development?
In what ways did John Cage's interest in Eastern cultures influence his musical development?
What type of music does an audience hear in a performance of John Cage's composition, 4'33'?
What type of music does an audience hear in a performance of John Cage's composition, 4'33'?
What did composer Henry Cowell call his technique of forcefully and simultaneously playing a large group of adjacent notes on the piano?
What did composer Henry Cowell call his technique of forcefully and simultaneously playing a large group of adjacent notes on the piano?
Which of John Cage's famous composition teachers urged him to be creative with ways in which sound could be produced on the piano?
Which of John Cage's famous composition teachers urged him to be creative with ways in which sound could be produced on the piano?
What labels are sometimes used to refer to indeterminacy in music?
What labels are sometimes used to refer to indeterminacy in music?
Which student of Henry Cowell was greatly influenced by Cowell's views on chance music?
Which student of Henry Cowell was greatly influenced by Cowell's views on chance music?
What characteristics of African music have influenced the minimalist composer Steve Reich?
What characteristics of African music have influenced the minimalist composer Steve Reich?
What reasons prompted John Cage, in providing music for a dance production in 1940, to place various hardware items on and between the strings of a piano?
What reasons prompted John Cage, in providing music for a dance production in 1940, to place various hardware items on and between the strings of a piano?
What is the term for the type of instrument John Cage developed, in which bolts, screws, plastic spoons, and other assorted items are placed on or between specific strings of the piano?
What is the term for the type of instrument John Cage developed, in which bolts, screws, plastic spoons, and other assorted items are placed on or between specific strings of the piano?
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Study Notes
Film Music History
- In the 1890s, theater owners incorporated music with silent films primarily to mask loud projector noises, enhancing audience experience.
- Max Winkler created cue sheets in the early 1900s to guide musicians on musical selections that matched film moods.
- The Vitaphone system, developed by Warner Brothers in 1926, enabled synchronized sound from phonograph records with silent films, revolutionizing the industry.
- Max Steiner's score for "King Kong" became a crucial achievement, helping to salvage the studio's financial crisis.
Notable Composers and Works
- Max Steiner, known for compositions such as "King Kong" (1933) and "Gone With the Wind" (1939), played a pivotal role in shaping film music.
- "The Jazz Singer" (1927) marked the first motion picture with synchronized dialogue and songs, leading to the rise of sound films.
- Bernard Herrmann frequently collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock, creating iconic soundtracks.
- Aaron Copland won an Academy Award for "The Heiress" (1948).
Musical Innovations and Techniques
- John Williams popularized the leitmotif technique, linking specific themes to characters and locations in films like "Star Wars" (1977).
- The synthesizer revolutionized film music, allowing individuals to produce complete soundtracks and reducing the demand for orchestral musicians.
- James Horner blended electronic and traditional instruments in his scores, creating a unique sound landscape.
Global Musical Influences
- The 1967 Monterey Music Festival introduced American audiences to Indian music, notably the sitar, enhancing cross-cultural music appreciation.
- Youssou N'Dour, a West African artist, collaborated with Peter Gabriel, showcasing the blending of diverse musical styles.
- Non-Western influences permeate the works of composers like Philip Glass, John Cage, and Terry Riley, who incorporate global music elements.
Structures and Concepts in Traditional Music
- In classical Indian music, ragas represent specific melodic patterns tied to particular times of day.
- The concept of polyrhythm, common in African traditional music, describes the simultaneous independent rhythms often found in performances.
- Heterophony refers to multiple performers interpreting the same melody with variations, adding texture to the music.
Ethnomusicology and Global Traditions
- The Silk Road Project, initiated by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, promotes cultural exchange and collaboration among musicians across continents.
- The Ewe drum ensemble emphasizes communal participation, featuring instruments like gankogui and dundun, and is representative of African percussion traditions.
- The Kronos Quartet, based in San Francisco, incorporates non-Western music into their repertoire, expanding the global dialogue in classical music.
Key Instruments and Terms
- The didjeridoo is an Australian wind instrument distinguished by its unique sound-producing method.
- The tabla, a traditional Indian percussion instrument, is categorized as a membranophone, producing rich rhythmic patterns integral to Indian classical music.
- The prepared piano, developed by John Cage, involves placing objects on piano strings to create unconventional sounds, expanding the instrument's sonic possibilities.
Influential Figures and Movements
- Henry Cowell, a pioneer of experimental music, studied various cultural traditions and influenced future composers like John Cage.
- The concept of indeterminacy in music, also known as chance or aleatory music, highlights the unpredictability in performance and composition, shaping modern musical expressions.
- The complexity of traditional African music has significantly influenced the development of jazz, showcasing its lasting impact on Western music genres.
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