Questions and Answers
What is word-painting?
Composers use word-painting to emphasize the text, perhaps with a drawn-out word over many notes.
In strophic songs, the same music is repeated for each stanza of the text.
True
Which term describes religious or spiritual music?
Sacred
Which of the following terms describe words without specific meanings in songs?
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Secular music is often sung in the language of the people singing it.
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Another word for lyrics in a song is:
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Match each musical selection to the term that best describes the text setting that you hear in the example.
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The word 'song' refers to any piece of music.
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Which language is heard in the middle of the national anthem O Canada?
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Which of the following tunes had the words written after the melody was composed?
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How would you best classify the text setting in the song Hildegard: Kyrie?
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In which language does the choir begin and end the anthem O Canada?
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A song in which the music is repeated for each stanza of the poem is called:
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Music with words that are in the language of the people is said to be in the:
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How would you best classify the text setting in the song Simple Gifts?
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Which of the following terms describes the number of notes given to each syllable of text?
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Which term best describes the setting of a few notes to a syllable of text?
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Which term best describes the setting of many notes to a syllable?
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In the medieval and Renaissance eras, Latin was the language of which institutions?
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All songs contain actual sung words.
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Match each example to the language in which it is being sung.
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Study Notes
Word-Painting and Text Emphasis
- Word-painting is a compositional technique where composers stretch out words over multiple notes to emphasize the text’s meaning.
Strophic Songs
- Strophic form features the same music repeated for each stanza, creating a cohesive and repetitive structure.
Sacred vs. Secular Music
- Sacred music is defined as religious or spiritual music, often performed in places of worship.
- Secular music is characterized by being sung in the vernacular, or the common language of the people.
Lyrics and Text Settings
- Lyrics in a song can also be referred to as "text."
- Various text settings exist in music:
- Neumatic: A few notes per syllable, exemplified by "Amazing Grace."
- Syllabic: One note per syllable, heard in "Ode to Joy" and "America."
- Melismatic: Many notes per syllable, as seen in "Kyrie" by Hildegard.
Nonlexical Terms
- Terms describing words without specific meanings in songs include nonlexical, vocalise, and scat-singing.
Language in National Anthems
- "O Canada" is often sung in both English and French, with the choir beginning and ending in English.
Song Composition
- Some tunes, such as "Burning Down the House" and "I Got Rhythm," had lyrics composed after the melody.
Classification of Text Settings
- "Kyrie" by Hildegard is classified as melismatic, while "Simple Gifts" is mostly syllabic.
Syllable-to-Note Relationships
- Syllabic: One note per syllable.
- Neumatic: A few notes per syllable.
- Melismatic: Many notes per syllable.
Historical Linguistic Context
- During the medieval and Renaissance periods, Latin was the primary language of the Roman Catholic Church, the Roman Empire, and universities.
Misconceptions about Songs
- Not all songs contain actual sung words; some may utilize sounds or non-lexical vocalizations.
Language in Musical Examples
- German: Brahms' "Wiegenlied"
- English: Taverner's "Hymn to the Mother of God"
- French: Lassus' "Bonjour mon coeur"
- Latin: Verdi's "Dies irae" from the Requiem
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards on key concepts from Chapter 8 of Music Appreciation. Covering terms like word-painting, strophic songs, and sacred music, this quiz helps reinforce your understanding of musical composition and terminology. Perfect for students looking to review material effectively.
