Improvisational Approaches.
Improvisational Approaches Introduction Improvisation has been an integral part of music since its very beginning, and it has been a very important element in Western Classical music for most of the past 1000 years. For example: a) Original score notations for Medieval organ music commonly include instructions for improvisation and embellishments. Scales that were used were selected according to the same improvisation principles now used in Jazz. b) Improvisational sections were often included in many classical scores. For example, the preludes to keyboard suites by Bach and Handel consisted solely of a progression of chords. The performers used these as basis for their improvisation. In the scores of today most of these progressions have been translated into full music notations by various editors. c) During the Baroque - (1600 - 1750), Classical - (1750 - 1830), and Romantic - Periods (1830 - 1900) improvisation flourished, especially for keyboard players. J.S. Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt and many other distinguished composers and virtuoso pianists, excelled in the art of improvisation, in those days called 'extemporization'. Towards the beginning of this century, improvisation inexplicably disappeared from Classical performances, and Classical music as a whole has been totally dominated (and in my opinion, restricted) by the written score.
Music Btec Report
Music Btec Practice Report. By Emily Crutcher[AC1] In this report I am going to describe Warm-up techniques, technical exercises, studies, repertoire and cool-down / relaxation techniques, referring specifically to my instrument - the piano[AC2]. With the piano, a variety of warm-up techniques and technical exercises are necessary, not only to get the piano 'going' or tuned, but also to warm-up your fingers and wrists so that you can play properly. There[AC3] are a variety of different methods you could use to warm up both the piano and yourself, as[AC4] well as using technical exercises, but perhaps the most common and the most effective are scales, in particular: Contrary motionemotions; scales where you begin on one middle note, and work outwards from that note with both hands using all the standard scale notes, Arpeggios; these are scales where you play the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 1st/8th, 3rd, 5th notes of the scales and then come back down again. Broken Chords are similar to arpeggios, using the same notes, but instead, you begin with 1st, 3rd, 5th; then go to 3rd, 5th 1st/8th and so on, before carrying on back down again. Chromatics where you play all the notes - including black notes - for one or two octaves and also standard scales - the notes of the scale, usually with both bands and played with one or two octaves[AC5]. All of the before warm-ups will help to warm-up both
Music is one of the most unique performing arts due to the way it has evolved.
Music is one of the most unique performing arts due to the way it has evolved. Styles and melodies considered unfit in one era are displayed prominently in another. The two concerts previewed in this report have two different and distinct techniques. The first performance that I attended was a symphonic concert playing a mix of contemporary and early 20th century works at Carnegie Hall. The second performance was an organ recital highlighted by the by the live performance of Bach's most well known pieces. Hopefully this term paper will objectively and subjectively critique and compare the two performances. An orchestra is a collection of a variety of instruments usually consisting of brass, woodwinds, strings and percussion sections. In the concert at Carnegie Hall, the music was abundant in tone color and a variety of pitches and moods. While the Bach music played by the organist could only demonstrate one type of sound, the multitude of instruments at the conductor's disposal can flood the listener with a variety of sound. The key pieces of music performed were "Music for Violin and Orchestra" by Maazal and "Symphony No. 1 in D major" by Mahler. Maazal's piece pits the virtuoso, Maazal, against the entire orchestra. It seems to be a sophisticated concerto with the violinist and the orchestra dueling with each other. Unlike Baroque music, the mood changes constantly, at one
The Crisis in Modern Classical Music
The Crisis in Modern Classical Music When told of the fact that classical music is in jeopardy, most Americans would find the idea incredulous. This is, however, the truth, and more serious than most who even recognize the fact realize. Those who do recognize the facts and are working to counteract the present problems, generally acknowledge a few common things as causes. Modern musical technology and financial shortages both have negatively affected the attendance at orchestra concerts. However there are issues from the inside of classical music as well. New, fresh music is not being regularly introduced into the mainstream of classical music. Instead, it relies on the same music that was created long ago. The world's symphony orchestra's are facing a severe crisis that is threatening the very existence of classical music. The time period's in which the majority of our modern classical repertoire is from are the Romantic and Classical periods. These stretched between the mid- to late Classical period, about 1790, to the late Romantic period, about 1900 which yields a time period of approximately one hundred years. Famous composers from this time include Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, and many others. In order to understand the literature of the crises at hand, one must be familiar with the classical music system
Hydens Trumpet Concerto and Aranjez Analysis
Classical Music Written By: Trish Allan Music is the emotional response between time and space. Throughout the ages, music has developed many different forms from various different eras. These eras show what was popular at the time and particular musical elements help us to categorize what pieces and composers go into which era. The Classical Period was from 1720-1820. Although it only lasted 70 years, it made long lasting impressions on the orchestra that we still see today. As well as the Classical Period, there was the Neo-Classical Period, which, after a number of years, brought back the Classical age with some added elements. Which leads to say; which is more classical? There are two pieces analyzed in this text. Haydn's Trumpet Concerto composed by Joseph Haydn in the Classical period and Concerto De Aranjuez composed by Joaquin Rodrigo in the late Neo-Classical period. Joseph Haydn composed his first and last trumpet concerto in 1796 in Vienna after his second return from England. It was particularly composed because of the development of the new valve trumpet. When the valve trumpet was developed, Haydn wanted to explore the wider tonal range of this newly developed instrument. And in doing so, he created his only Trumpet Concerto, known today as Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. Written in three movements, Allegro I, Andante II and Allegro III, the most popular and famous
Bebop came around in the 1940s as a style of jazz that had great contrast to the big bands
Bebop came around in the 1940s as a style of jazz that had great contrast to the big bands. It included a small group of musicians mostly four to six players - rather than the 10 or more associated with the big bands. The smaller size allowed more solo opportunities for the players. There were more complex melodies and chord progressions in bebop, as well as more stress on the role the rhythm section. Also, the music is different in length, making bebop interesting to listen to, but in contrast to music of the big bands, not fit for dancing. Excellent jazz players have come from different ethnic groups and, indeed, different nations. Most of the music's innovators and leading voices, however, have been black Americans, the descendants of slaves. This agreement between the black population in the United States and jazz music has led to all sorts of biased debate, most of it taking place on a very low level. The essential lines of the dispute place those who see jazz as an art which transcends questions of race against those who contend jazz is a black product which, therefore, "belongs" to black people. The latter position has, not surprisingly, has been actively embraced by black nationalists. "Bebop," as used in the title of DeVeaux's book refers to the modern jazz pioneered by alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Thelonius Monk and other
The Bedouin Culture
Bridget Allison 1/11/02 Dynamics B4 The Bedouin Culture Originating from the arabic word bedu, meaning "inhabiting the desert", Bedouins are basically nomadic in nature. This is mainly because there are little resources in the deserts to sustain any life. Aspects of the Bedouin life style The clothing of the Bedouins are mostly constant throughout the people. The Bedouins, both men and women wear wear an article of clothing called a jalabiyya, it is a long cloak with a hood that usually is ankle length. A Bedouin man wears a easily recognizable headpiece which consists of a kuflyya' cloth and an 'agal-rope. This 'agal-rope is very signifigant to Bedouins. Wearing this rope symbolizes the owners ability to uphold the responsibility of being a man. Women wear headgear that represents their obligations as well. All women must cover their heads at all times with a black cloth called an 'asaba. These basic coverings, both of male and female, directly reflect the environment through which they are traveling. The Bedouin life style is directly related to their constant motion. No formal buildings are created where they would be obligated to stay and tend to them. The Bedouin tent is divided is two by a woven curtain called a ma'nad. The two sections each have their intended purposes. One of the sections, called the mag'ad, translated in
Composition Brief and Appraisal
Composition 1 - Mazurka - BRIEF I am going to write a piece of music in the style of a Mazurka, a Mazurka could be commonly found at Ballroom dances, it originated in Poland. I will be writing my piece of music to be played on the flute. My Composition will be based on aspects and features of three pieces of music, that are in my chosen style. My main piece that I have taken features from is called Anitra's Dance - it is taken from Peer Gynt. This piece is also my Performance 1. Some of the typical features that I have taken from this piece include trills. Trills are ornaments - they are performed by going to the next note up and to the original repeatedly at a very quick speed. Anitra's Dance is in the key of E Minor, which is the key that I will be using in my Composition 1, which I have decided to call *****'s Mazurka. I will also take the structure from Anitra's Dance, for example - Anitra's Dance does not have large sections, just small numbers of bars - so I will try and incorporate this into my piece. The other pieces in the style of a Mazurka that I have chosen are The Wedding March (Mazurka Op 20a) and Mazurka Fantaisie by Marcel Dupont, they also contain these features that I need - but they are not just specifically made to just be played on the flute. Composition 1 - Mazurka - APPRAISAL For my composition 1, I had to write a piece of music that was in the style
Dear Sir, I have been looking closely at the proposed plans for the year eleven prom. There are a few points that I would like to put forward and some strongly felt issues of many other pupils in year eleven
Michael Webb 14th Jan 2006 Prom Letter - Coursework 20 Llwynfedw Gardens Birchgrove Cardiff CF14 4NX 25 Valeymore Road, Witchurch, Cardiff, CF14 5NQ 4th January 2006 Dear Sir, I have been looking closely at the proposed plans for the year eleven prom. There are a few points that I would like to put forward and some strongly felt issues of many other pupils in year eleven. My main concerns include the venue of the prom, the music, date and time. Firstly I would like to say that I admire the fact that you have taken on this huge project, especially as there so many different varieties of young people coming to the prom. Although I acknowledge it is extremely hard to make an event like this to happen, I would appreciate it if you would take some time to look at my ideas. The choice of venue is probably the most important decision to be made. I believe the current proposal may not include the best place to hold it. My main reason being, that it is not easy to get to for all pupils, as it is not a very central part of Cardiff. I would therefore propose that the prom be held at a more easily accessible venue, for example the Angel Hotel in Cardiff City Centre. Secondly, I believe that the music is one of the most important factors of how smoothly the prom will go. I would propose that a professional Disc Jockey ought to be hired out for the night, as
Gradually the Short, Sharp Ringing of My Alarm Clock Enters My Ears.
Gradually the short, sharp ringing of my alarm clock enters my ears. My eyes slowly adjust to the dim morning light filtering in through the curtains. Reluctantly I lower my weary body onto the floor, and weave past the obstructions that are littered upon it. I steady myself down the stairs and into the kitchen, to prepare my breakfast. I always make sure there is time for cereal, even if it does leave me in a rush to get ready for school! Often I cycle to school. If the weather is inclement I walk with other friends that live close by. Upon entering the form room I find my class mates all involved in deep conversations on the previous days' antics and actions. On Mondays and Thursdays the colloquy frequently changes into light hearted arguments focused upon the football matches played the previous day. This usually invokes a reaction from our boastful form French tutor, who teases us over the sporting achievements his nation has achieved. In retaliation we often challenge him to either matches of tennis or football. Surprisingly he is always injured, and cannot take up the challenge. During the school day, although I am attentive and take part in lessons, I find it hard to concentrate. However, I find the work a lot easier when I am at home. Maths is a great example of this, during the lessons I find the answers to problems unobtainable, yet when I am at home I
