Transcript Texture and Form Handout

Musical Texture (Harmony),
Form, and Style
HOW MUSICAL LINES INTERACT
What is Musical Texture (Harmony)?
 Musical Texture refers to a number of different
characteristics of music
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Texture is the number of ________ __________
It refers to whether each line is a ______ or ________ part
_________ refers to how each part relates to each other
 Can be described as _____, _____, _____, _____
 Variations in texture can create _______and drama
 We will look at three basic textures (harmonies)
 Monophonic
 Polyphonic
 Homophonic
Monophonic Texture- “One Sound”
 __________ means that there is one melodic line
with no harmony or accompaniment
 If multiple voices or instruments are playing in
________, it is still Monophonic
 Examples of monophonic music
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Singing a solo a capella (Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love
You”
Gregorian chant
____________ instrumental sonatas (Baroque)
Polyphonic Music- “Many Sounds”
 Polyphonic means that there
are ____ or _____ melodic
lines of _______ importance
 Technique of writing several
melodic lines that interact is
called _____________
 Often uses _________, which
is when one voice or instrument
presents a melodic idea, then
another voice repeats it
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Not always exact imitation
 Examples of polyphonic music
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_______, fugues, (Little Fugue
in G minor ) and canons
(Pachelbel’s Canon in D)
__________ ________
Homophonic Music- “Same Sounds”
 Homophonic means there is one
main _____ with a less important
accompaniment
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Accompaniment could be as simple
as ______, or it could be more
complex
 If a line in the accompaniment
starts to stand out and become
more important, then the texture
changes to __________
 Examples of ___________ music
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Melody and accompaniment (Alan
Jackson – “The Old Rugged Cross”)
Traditional hymn arrangements
(Traditional – “The Old Rugged
Cross”)
 Homophonic writing
using chords
Farandole by Georges Bizet
 Has two themes: a _____ theme and a ____ theme
 Starts with the march theme in a ____________
texture, then then violins and violas play a
_____________ section (fugue like)
 The high woodwinds then play the dance theme in a
_______________ texture
 After the full orchestra plays the dance theme, the
strings play a ____________ version of the march
theme
 Listen for other changes in texture
“Hallelujah” by Georg Frideric Handel
 Switches rapidly between all three textures
 Word “Hallelujah” is usually homophonic, with some imitative
polyphony
 “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” is usually
monophonic
 “And he shall reign” is always polyphonic
 Changes in texture create _______ for each section
of the piece
MUSICAL FORM
 Three techniques that create Form
 Repetition
Allows the listener to become familiar with a ______ or ______
 Often used with another technique
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Contrast
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Can be a change in an _______________, i.e. melody, rhythm,
harmony, dynamics, tempo, timbre; mood can be changed as well
Variation
________ of a musical idea so it’s different but still recognizable
 Entire pieces can be composed using this technique
 Example – Variation on America by Charles Ives
 Listen and Illustrate the “Theme and Variation” sections in the
“Variations on America” (next page)

Illustrate (“Variations on America”)
 Listen and Illustrate the “Theme and Variation”
sections in the “Variations on America”
Two Major types of Form
 _________ Form
 Three sections: A B A
 Can be looked at as a ________ of a ______, a _________
___________, and a return to the ______________
 Each section can also be subdivided, as well
 Example: Dance of the Reed Pipes from The
Nutcracker Suite- By Peter Tchaikovsky
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A section introduces the melody
B section uses the trumpets and strings to vary the melody
Return to the A section with the flutes
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Listen and Illustrate the three sections in the “Dance of the Reed
Pipes” (on next page)
Illustrate “Dance of the Reeds” (from the Nutcracker)
 Show the form through your illustration
incorporating repetition and contrast
Two Major types of Form
 _________Form
 Two sections: A B
 Can be looked at as a ____________ of a _______ and then
a counterstatement with a different theme.
 Any section can be repeated
 Example: “Gavotte from French Suite NO. 5 in G
Major” By Johanne Sebastian Bach
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See next page for Listening Outline
Listening Outline (to be read while music is heard)
 Listen and Illustrate the two
sections in “Gavotte” by Bach
Musical Style
 ____- a characteristic way of using melody, rhythm,
harmony, dynamics, timbre, texture, and form.
 Particular combinations create a _________ sound
 _________ from the same area, time, or country
often use similar styles
 Musical styles change _______ ______ , but it is
often gradual
Eras of Western Art Music
 Middle Ages (450-1450)
 Renaissance (1450-1600)
 Baroque (1600-1750)
 Classical (1750-1820)
 Romantic (1820-1900)
 Twentieth Century to 1945
 1945 to the Present