Introduction to Classical Music Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following describes classical music? (Select all that apply)

  • Compositions are often longer and cast in broader forms (correct)
  • Employs mostly electronic instruments
  • A somewhat lesser emphasis on a strongly defined regular beat (correct)
  • Greater prominence given to purely instrumental music (correct)

    • Which of the following describes popular music? (Select two)

  • Makes wider and more regular use of electronic instruments (correct)
  • Often features a strong sense of a regular beat (correct)
  • Compositions are usually shorter and more repetitive (correct)
  • Usually has no lyrics

    • In order to raise the pitch of a note by an octave, we must ______ its frequency (in Hertz).

    double

    Which regions does sound pass through as it goes from the atmosphere to the ear? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Primary auditory cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a tonotopic region?

    <p>A region containing cilia or neurons that respond only to particular frequencies of pitch.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for emotion?

    <p>Limbic system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Listening to music causes the same responses in regions of the brain as we experience when eating certain food, engaging in sex, and taking drugs of abuse.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the lowest sound of an overtone series called?

    <p>fundamental</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All frequencies sounding above the lowest sound are called?

    <p>overtones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To generate a pitch an octave higher on a violin, one must:

    <p>cut the length of the string exactly in half</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Do the Chinese and Indonesian musical cultures have the same overtones as Western music?

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Fundamental and the first four overtones produce ______.

    <p>consonance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does Richard Strauss use to suggest the advent of a superhero in his tone poem 'Also sprach Zarathustra'? (Select two)

    <p>A rising melody</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which music usually has no beat at all?

    <p>Gregorian chant</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which music often has a suppressed beat?

    <p>classical music</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms related to music rhythm:

    <p>Beats = Regular divisions of time in music Meter = Organization of music into groups of beats Musical time = The structuring of time in a musical piece Groups = Consistent divisions of beats</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The machine musicians use to sound the beat is called a ______.

    <p>metronome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the two 'axes' (or coordinates) of music found in a Western musical score:

    <p>pitch and duration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Syncopation is the effect produced when a rhythmic emphasis is placed on a weak beat or on an 'off-beat.'

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a rhythmic emphasis is placed on a downbeat, is that considered an instance of syncopation?

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When listening to music, the beat is usually signaled to us by the ______.

    <p>bass</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When listening to music, syncopation is usually found in the ______.

    <p>melody</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT used to signal a downbeat?

    <p>New instruments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Tempo refers to the speed of the music, gauged by the speed of the ______.

    <p>Beat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Place the following tempo indications in order from fastest to slowest: A. Moderato, B. Allegro, C. Lento, D. Prestissimo

    <p>DBAC</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Classical music, with its notated scores and long-standing traditions, demands that one perform the music strictly in tempo and on pitch at all times for maximum emotional effect.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Classical Music

    • Characterized by less emphasis on a strict beat, allowing more fluidity in rhythm.
    • Instrumental music holds a prominent place, with longer compositions and broader forms.
    • Primarily utilizes acoustic instruments, and performances rely on notated music scores.
    • Features a strong, regular beat and generally includes lyrics.
    • Emphasizes the use of electronic instruments, leading to shorter and more repetitive compositions.
    • Often performed without reliance on written music.

    Frequency and Pitch

    • Raising the pitch of a note by an octave requires doubling its frequency in Hertz.
    • The fundamental is the lowest sound in an overtone series, with higher sounds known as overtones.
    • To create a pitch an octave higher on instruments like the violin, the string length must be halved.

    Sound Perception

    • The auditory pathway includes the outer ear, inner ear, basilar membrane, auditory nerve, and primary auditory cortex.
    • Tonotopic regions in the brain respond to specific frequencies, illustrating how pitch is parsed.

    Emotional Response to Music

    • The limbic system is the primary brain region responsible for processing emotions related to music.
    • Listening to music triggers similar brain responses as those elicited by food, sex, and drug use.

    Musical Structure

    • Meter organizes musical time into consistent groups of evenly spaced, recurring beats.
    • Syncopation involves placing rhythmic emphasis on weak beats or off-beats, while a downbeat focuses on the strong pulse.

    Performance Characteristics

    • Gregorian chant is noted for lacking a defined beat, while classical music often suppresses it.
    • The metronome is an essential tool for keeping time in musical performances.

    Musical Elements

    • Two primary axes in Western music are pitch and duration (time).
    • Tempo is indicated by the speed of the beat, with common terms including moderato, allegro, lento, and prestissimo.

    Composition Techniques

    • Richard Strauss's "Also sprach Zarathustra" effectively uses rising melodies and trumpet as solo instruments to signify heroism and transformation.
    • The first six overtones combined with the fundamental produce consonance, creating harmonious sound.

    General Knowledge

    • The Chinese and Indonesian musical cultures share the same overtone series as Western music, illustrating universal aspects of sound.
    • Classical music does not strictly require performance always to be on tempo or pitch for emotional resonance.

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    Description

    Explore the key concepts of classical and popular music through this engaging flashcard quiz. Learn about the characteristics that define classical music compared to other genres. Perfect for music enthusiasts and students alike.

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