Music Education

Music of Indonesia

2011-09-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

The music of Indonesia is the result of unity in different diverse cultural influences. Indonesia is composed of 13,000 or more islands. Each place has its own cultural variety over the other. Foreign exposure shaped Indonesia's music, but even with these western influence still we can say that Indonesia is successful in preserving its culture by educating their young and fostering nationalism among their people.

The Indonesian Scale

There are Two Indigenous scale system in Indonesian Music

The Slendro Scale
( 5 tone Scale or Pentatonic)

Imagine this the pentatonic scale is made up of 5 tones only, the easiest way to find it is by playing all the black keys in any order, in any duration, and in any combination. The pentatonic scale has a 1-2-3-5-6 pattern.

To find the pentatonic key on the white keys is easy. It starts with C-D-E-G-A.

Almost all indigenous music follows the pentatonic scale. Limited yet unique in sound.

The Pelog Scale

( 7 tone system or western scale)

The Pelog scale is the western scale of Indonesia, this is much pleasing to the ear almost unlimited in tones.

Most of today's music are built on these scales. Try playing from C to C then we get the Pelog Scale.

Vocal Music of Indonesia

These are the two most loved Indonesian folk song

Si Patokaan

(Rooster or Hen Song)

Sayang-sayang si patokaan

matego-tego gorokan sayang (2x)

Sako mange mo tanah man jauh

mangemo milei leklako sayang

Potong Bebek Angsa

(Duck Song)

Potong bebek angsa
masak dikuali
nona minta dansa
dansa empat kali
sorong ke kiri
sorong ke kanan
lala lala lala lala la la la
sorong ke kiri
sorong ke kanan
lala lala lala lala la la la.

Musical Instruments of Indonesia and Styles

The Gamelan Orchestra

Composed of musical instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs and bamboo flutes.

It may also refer to the set of Instruments with individual and distinct entity , built to stay together.

Kecapi suling

a type of instrumental music that is highly improvisational and popular in parts of Indonesia that employs two instruments, kecapi (zither) and suling (bamboo flute).

Angklung

Angklung is a bamboo musical instrument native to Sundanese people of West Java. It is made out of bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a distinctive resonant pitch when being vibrated.

Kolintang

Kolintang or kulintang is a bronze and wooden percussion instrument native to eastern Indonesia and also The Philippines.

Wayang Kulit

(Shadow Puppet show)

Wayang word means theatre (literally "shadow"). When the term is used to refer to kinds of puppet theatre, sometimes the puppet itself is referred to as wayang. Performances of shadow puppet theatre are accompanied by gamelan in Java.

Music: Functions and Uses

2011-05-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Functions and Uses of Music

Music is for worshiping the Almighty.

Music has been used in religious and spiritual activities, it transforms the overall person by making him more close to his God.

In this example the Catholic Church through the Gregorian Chant always use this style of music to solemnize their worship.

Music for entertainment.

Music is also used to kill boredom by giving us the joy of the listening experience when we hear it and respond.

In this example a group of students are enjoying in creating music through melodies and harmonies that somehow entertained those who listen to it.

Music for strengthening nationalism

Music helps stir emotions by providing an avenue to help us express in our deep love for one's country by awakening our emotions to the real state of the nation, making music as an effective weapon for a non-violent action.

In this example Frederic Chopin of Poland composed the Revolutionary Etude. This music was composed as a silent revolt against the conquerors of Poland.

Another example would be from the Philippines," The People Power" this music stirs up emotions of the Filipinos to go out on the streets to fight dictatorship of the former President.

Music collaborates with other arts.

Music is also used in other arts and sciences such as dances, mathematics, poetry, painting, language and other related arts.

Music is used in other arts like Dance, in this example the ballet is more alive when music is added and the dance becomes alive.

Music releases our emotions

Music is used to pour out emotion of people, no matter how we feel, there is always a corresponding music to fit on what we feel today.

In this example of sister act, music has been used to elevate the feeling of churchgoers, there mood changes as the music changes and responding with emotions on the tones, rhythm and harmony signaling the brain and body to respond.

Music for exploring other culture

Music also gives us a glimpse of the cultures, tradition and everyday life of other nations.

India

Mexico

Japan

These are all examples of knowing other culture through their music.

Other Functions and Uses of Music

Social Gatherings

Mood Setting

Activities

Essential Questions

Why is music important in the lives of every human being?
Which is more important the lyrics( Message) or the music it was set?
What if there is no music around? Describe a scenario?
What makes music a powerful medium of expression?

Music of Korea

2011-02-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Historical Background

•A.D. 285 – Metal percussion instruments existed in Korea

•Instruments have been used in thanksgiving festivals in autumn harvest and other occasions

Musical Instruments Grouping

•Musical Instruments are grouped based on the material from which the instruments are made and type of music in which they were used.

Passion in their Music

Koreans like the Japanese and Chinese are very passionate about music especially when playing their musical instrument:

1.By playing songs expressively

2.Singing with their heart

•Basically there are 60 korean musical instruments:

•14 chordophones

•17 aerophones

•16 membranophones

•13 idiophones

However 15 are not used anymore because it is outdated and discontinuance of used in the ceremonies

Musical Instruments of Korea

Aerophones

P’iri

Cylindrical bamboo similar to an oboe blown through a double reed mouthpiece

Tanso

small notched vertical bamboo flute with five finger holes

Chottdae

Is a long flute made of bamboo with six holes

Chordophones

Kayagum

12 stringed zither similar to koto of japan and chi’n of china, supported by 12 movable bridges

komungo

6 stringed zither that plays as the principal instrument for small group players

Haegum

2 stringed fiddle made of bamboo that is plucked. It is used in dance performances

Idiophones

Kwaenggwari

The smallest gong struck within a wooden mallet

Pak

Clapper shaped folded fan. It consist of six pieces of wood loosely held together at the upper end

Ching

Huge gong played with a padded mallet. Used in military and shaman music

Membranophones

Changgo

An hour glass shaped drum played by striking either both ends.

The Link below is a video which composes of all the musical instruments in this lesson

Korean Court Esemble

Let it be played by kayagum Instrument

The Classical Period

2010-11-24T01:42:00.000-08:00

The Classical Period

1750-1820

Highlights of this Period

· Benjamin Franklin “discovers” electricity.
· American Revolution
· George Washington inaugurated as the first President of the US
· French Revolution
· Napoleon crowns himself Emperor.
· Middle Class rose to power.
· Democracy was established and the reigning aristocrats and clergy started to decline in power.
· The Rise of Concerts and other musical forms
· Vienna Austria became the music capital of the world

The Classical Period is the known to be the “ Age of Enlightenment”, in which most of the inspiration comes from the aesthetic ideas of Ancient Greece and Rome. It affected the way of thinking of the people during this time from Religion, Science and Government.

Characteristic of the Classical style compared to the baroque style

Characteristic	Baroque	Classical
Mood	Conveys a single emotion	Fluctuation in moods, sometimes it is dramatic, carefree, happy, sad that may lead to a delightful music
Rhythm	Minimal patterns of rhythmic movement	Classical music is mixed up in terms of rhythm, with unexpected pauses, syncopation, variations of long and short tones. The introduction of ritardando, and accelerandos.
Texture	Polyphonic Texture	Wide use of texture from homophonic usually heard in concertos to polyphonic texture in the symphony orchestra.
Melody	Baroque melodies are hard	Easy to remember and to sing
Dynamic	Used of terraced dynamics Loud and Soft	Wide use of dynamics and Introduction of Crescendo and decrescendo.
Accompaniment	Basso Continuo	Most music was written for amateurs who had not mastered the basso continuo.

Musical Developments

The Rise of Concerts

A performance before a live audience, these concerts can be seen by both royalty and common people.

Classical Forms

Minuet

This music was the remains of the Baroque Period, it was given a new glow in the classical period wherein originally set in 3/4 time signature. Classical Period gave this form and a new twist by inserting this style to the Four movements of the classical concerto.

Sonata Form

A multi-movement composition that has 3 parts. The Exposition, Development and Recapitulation.

Themes and Variation

A composition in which there is one principal tune ( which is the theme) and the variations are the different musical perceptive ( variation) which is built on the theme.

The Rondo

Like the themes and variation but is light and simple. And can be found in the last part of every musical piece such as concerto and sonata forms.

Classical Genres

Symphony

usually use for the much larger group of instruments called the orchestra
it is composed of three movements which follows a fast-slow-fast movements, or even four at times
the sonata form can be heard all through out the symphony.

Opera Buffa

an opera that have the same importance as the serious opera
its theme are usually comical and humorous.

The Ensemble

Composed instruments or people with mostly 2-3 or more people.
this can be found in the music of an opera or chamber ensemble.

The Classical Concerto

This type of concerto is made for a solo instrument which is accompanied by an orchestra
this is composed of the sonata form adding the coda.

String Quartet

composed of string instruments composed of 2 violin, viola and cello.

The Sonata

it is a composition for solo instrument and has the form of a typical classical sonata form which has the fast-slow and fast movements.

Famous Composers

Joseph Haydn ( 1732-1809)

· Born in Rohrau, Austria
· Sent to Vienna to nurture his musical talent
· Became a free-lance musician during the 1750’s
· Appointed by Prince Esterhazy as composer and leader of his personal Orchestra
· Known to be the father of the Symphony
· Became the teacher of Ludwig Van Beethoven
· Famous Compositions

o Surprise Symphony

o The Creation and The Seasons

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

· Born in Salzburg, Austria
· Came from a Musical Family
· Child Prodigy
· Played the violin at the age of 6
· Could identify notes, chords, wrong note and could write music at one hearing only
· He introduced the oboes and clarinet
· During the later part of his life, he met Beethoven and said” He will give the world something to talk about
· His last commissioning was to create a requiem Mass in D minor, which he did not finish due to his failing health conditions

· His music included the famous operas

o Dei Zauberflote

o Cosi Fan Tutti

o Marriage of Figaro

Ludwig Van Beethoven

· Born in Bonn,Germany
· Came a family of Musicians
· His father forced him to practice all hours in his childhood
· During his adolescence he was mentored by Joseph Haydn
· On his 29^th Year, he felt the first symptoms of deafness, which the doctors could nothing to do to halt. But, during his deafness he created his greatest musical works.
· He composed the Symphony Bonaparte in honor of Napoleon, but later changed it to Symphony no. 3 where it is known as the Heroic Symphony.
· He composed symphony no. 5 and Ode to Joy.
· He was deaf when he composed most of his famous works.

The Musical Instruments of India

2010-11-16T01:54:00.000-08:00

In this Lesson about the Music of India, our objectives are the following:

1.Aurally and Visually recognize the different Musical Instruments from India.
2.Identify the Different Musical Instruments of India according to their classification.

Musical Instruments as what they say are extensions of our body. In just a simple gesture of clapping man has been able to utilize the skill and made an external form of self expression by the inventions of these musical Instruments. Man tried to unlock the limited potential of our body in creating another medium of transmission through the Instruments.
Musical Instruments are found everywhere, the raw materials being woven, heated, toasted, stretched and many more are examples of how infinite music can be. Each country has its own musical instruments depending on the availability of the resources or raw materials. In this way also, India, a country rich in culture and natural resources have come up with their unique and ancient characteristics in terms of the arts.

Musical Instruments played a major part in shaping Indian music. And these musical Instruments comprises of both modern and ancient ones.

Before proceeding let us study first the different classification of musical instruments.

Chordophones - these are musical Instruments in which the source of sound is by the use of Strings.
Aerophones - these are musical Instruments in which the primary source of sound is by the use of air.
Idiophones - these are musical Instruments which is made up metal and the primary source of sound can
                         either be by beating or use of air.
Membranophones - these are musical instruments which is made up of stretched animal skin or membrane
                                these musical instruments can be sounded by beating the membrane or skin.
Electrophones - musical instruments which is made up of capacitors and integrated circuits, where the sound
                         can be produced by the use of electricity.

In India, the most important musical Instruments are the Tambura, Tabla, Sitar.

The Sitar - carries the melodic parts.
The Tabla - carries the Rhythm.
The Tambura - carries the drone effect.

The musical Instruments of India are divided into 2 groups they are as follows:
1. Melodic Musical Instruments
    Melodic Instuments are subdivided into Plucked ( tat), bowed (vitat), Wind blown ( sushir), membranous (avanadoh) and Non-membranous ( ghan).

                Stringed                          Wind                                       Bellowed
   Bowed - Violin                                   Clarinet                                   Harmonium
                  Tambura                               Flute                                       Sruti-peti
                  Veena                                  Ottu
                  Gottudyam                           Nagaswaram

2. Rhythmic or Percussion

                   Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira, Moorsing, Tavil, Jalra

Percussion Instruments of India

Tabla

* Popular and common drum in North India
* Pair drums, one for the left and and other for the right hand.
* Made of wood and stretched animal skin
* A membranophone

Mridangam

* Drum of South India
*This is originally made up of clay
*Barrel shaped and double headed
*place between the thighs of the player
* used to perform tala

String Instruments

Veena

*From southern India
*has several strings that functions differently
*4 strings are used to play the melody and the other 3 strings to play the drone.

Tambura

* It is a drone instrument
*Essential for classical perfomances
*held upright and placed on the lap of the players

Sarangi

*Used in accompanying vocal music
*Squashed like guitar
*It has no frets and it is played by a bow

Sitar

* Most popular stringed instrument in north India
* It has long neck and 20 metal frets and 6 main strings
* used for solo parts

Sarod

* This is much smaller than the sitar
* plucked with a piece of coconut shell

The Music of the Renaissance Period

2010-08-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

(1450-1600)

Renaissance Period

• Means “Rebirth” the age of exploration and adventure

Highlights

• The voyages of Columbus, Magellan and Leonardo da Vinci.
• Humanism bloomed, a movement formed that focuses on human life and accomplishments without the help of the church or a divine source.
• Christians are inspired and captivated by pagan cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
• The Catholic Church was less powerful during the time and Protestantism rouse up by Martin Luther.
• The church did not monopolized learning aristocrats and upper middle class considered education as a status symbol, hired scholars to teach their children as it did in the middle ages.
• Invention of Printing Press accelerated learning.
• Music shifted from church to courts and choirs increased in size.

Characteristic of Renaissance Music

Words and Music

• Word Painting a musical representation of specific poetic images example the word heaven should be sung in a high pitch because heaven is high or above us.

Texture

• Polyphony is used a typical composition has four to six voice parts of nearly equal melodic interest.
• Homophonic is used in light music and dance forms
• Use of mild and relaxed sounds
• Choral music did not need musical instruments because renaissance period is the Golden Age of A capella singing.
• If there are instruments it just duplicates the lines of the voices.

Rhythm and Melody

• More gentle and flowing and sharply defined beat
• Melodic line has great rhythmic independence
• Renaissance Melodies are easy to sing.
• Imitation was introduced

The Sacred Music of the Renaissance

Motet
• Sacred Latin text other than the ordinary mass, an Example is Ave Maria

Mass
• Highest form of worship of the Catholic Church composed of Agnus Dei, kyrie, Gloria, Credo and Sanctus.

Notable Composers

Josquin Desprez
• Master of Renaissance Period, he was and international superstar. He spent much of his career in Italy serving the ducal chapels and in the Papal Choir. His composition includes mass, motets and secular vocal pieces.

Josquin’s four voice motet ave maria…virgo serena is an outstanding renaissance choral work, This Latin prayer to the Virgin is set to delicate and serene music. The opening uses polyphonic imitation, a technique typical of the period. The melodic phrase Ave Maria is presented by the soprano and then imitated in turn by the alto, tenor and bass.

The next words, gratia plena ( full of grace) have a different melody which is also passed from voice to voice. Notice as each voice enters as the other voice is in the middle of its melody. The overlapping creates a feeling of continuous flow.

Josquin skillfully varies the texture of this motet, 2,3, or 4 voices are heard at one time. In addition the imitation between pairs of voices, duets between the high voices are imitated by the low voices. Sometimes the texture becomes homophonic ( which means other voices accompany the melody) in the Ave,vera virginitas. The change form duple meter to triple meter and the tempo becomes momentarily becomes more animated. But soon the music returns to duple meter and a more peaceful mood. Ave maria ends with slow chords that express josquins personal plea to the Virgin: O Mother remember me Amen.

A video link to Josquin Desprez Ave Maria

The Renaissance Mass

Pope Marcellus Mass (1562-1563)
By Giovanni Pierlugi Palestrina

During the 16th century, Italian composers attained excellence of earlier Flemish master such as Josquin.
Palestrina devoted himself to church music and accordingly had a career centered in Rome as a music director.
Palestrina includes 104 masses and some 450 other sacred works its restraint and serenity reflect emphasis on spirituality. And its technical perfection is a model for students of counterpoint.

Palestrina’s Pope Marcellus mass is dedicated to Pope Marcellus, Who reigned briefly in 1555 is his most famous work

Kyrie has a rich polyphonic texture; its six voice parts constantly imitate one another, yet blended beautifully. This music sounds fuller that Josquin’s Ave maria, in part because six voices are used rather that four.

Kyrie by Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass video link
Kyrie Elieson
By Palestrina

Kyrie Elieson, Lord have mercy on us
Christe Elieson Christ have mercy on us
Kyrie Elieson Lord have mercy on us

The text is shord and the words are repeated with different melodic lines express a calm supplication.
As a section begins in the middle of it, enters other voices making it rich and full in texture.

Secular Music in the Renaissance Period
Vocal Music: The Renaissance Madrigal

During the renaissance period, secular vocal music became increasingly popular throughout Europe, poems from various languages were set to music.

Madrigal is a piece for several solo or choral. Like the motet it has homophonic and polyphonic textures and uses more word painting. In 1520 madrigals began touring ing Europe, while in 1588 a volume of translated Italian madrigals was published in London, this give way to the composition of English madrigals which is more humorous and lighter than the Italian madrigal with simple melody and harmony

Thomas Weelkes

Among the finest madrigal composers and organist and church composers (1575-1623). He composed as vesta was descending in six voice with roman literature involved. Vesta the roman goddess of the hearth coming down a hill with her attendants. Diana was the roman goddess of chastity, hunting and the moon. At the same time the maiden queen oriana is climbing the hill with her shepherd gallant. Vestas attendants desert her and race down the hill to join oriana.

As vestas was descending video link
As Vesta was Descending
by Thomas Weelkes

(High Notes) (Fast Downward Scale)
As Vesta Was from Latmos Hill Descending

(Fast Upward Scale)
She Spied a Maiden Queen the Same Ascending,
Attended on by All the Shepherd's Swain;

(Fast Downward Scale)
To Whom Diana's Darlings Came Running down Amain

(First Two Voices, Then Three Voices )
First Two by Two, Then Three by Three Together (Full Choir)

( Minor Mode, Slow) (One Voice Alone)
Leaving Their Goddess All Alone, Hasted Thither;
And Mingling with the Shepherds of Her Train,
With Mirthful Tunes Her Presence Did Entertain.
Then Sang the Shepherds and Nymphs of Diana:

(Long Note Sung) (Effect of Spontaneous, Irregular Cheering)
Long Live Fair Oriana!

Instrumental Music of the Renaissance Period

Even though the instrumental music of the Renaissance period did not equal the vocal music, in terms of quality and quantity, it still played an integral part of the era. Instrumental music gained in popularity and developed a musical form that was distinct from vocal music.

During the Renaissance era, instrumental music was written according to specific rules.

1. Improvisation was very important in performance and for melodic ornamentation.
2. Transcriptions of vocal music for instrumental performance were numerous.
3. Instruments were freely employed in the performance of vocal music.
4. Some instrumental forms were borrowed from vocal forms, while others were instrumentally invented.

Instrumental music also had specific characteristics during the Renaissance Era. The instrumental style of the Renaissance time period was also distinct.

1. Melodic range was wider than vocal limitations.
2. There was extensive ornamentation including coloration, embellishment, and figuration.
3. There was a much freer treatment of dissonance.
4. In lute and keyboard music contrapuntal parts were freely added or dropped without indicating rests.
5. There were exceedingly long and rapid scale passages.
6. There were numerous wide skips.

During this era, the instruments on which musicians played from day to day also improved. The instruments most commonly used were of keyboards, strings, winds and the organ.

Music and its Function

2010-08-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Music as they say, is the ancient of all arts. Its beauty is the reflection of its creator; the higher being. Music is infinite, limitless and it gives us the idea of eternity. But amidst its infinite character, man as the ages passed try to put on hold the unlimited power of music. What was once infinite has now been culturally bound by rules.

There are millions and millions of pitches traveling every second in our ear, its origin? Well, its almost omnipotent; it can be in many places at the same time. But since certain philosophical views has been created and considered through studies made by philosophers, composers and artist, man had harnessed its power and put rules that limit it in order for us to understand and enjoy. Music itself gives us the very reason why we exist and that is to fill the world with harmony.

Man throughout the ages, studied it, simplified the structure through pattern of pitch, beats, dynamics ,incorporated it with text ,body movements and instruments which are considered to be extensions of our own body,began to emerge the earliest form of self expression.

Therefore music as a form of language where everybody understands culturally and linguistically related, or not, agreed that music has an important function in our existence and these are the following;

Music as a form of self-expression.
Music as a form of entertainment.
Music stirs up nationalism.
Music connects us with the Higher being.
Music gives us an overview of the culture and tradition it represents.
Music creates emotional integrity.
Music connects us with our environment.

These functions of music gives us an overall view of what has been expected of us as beings who are given this important role to express and add up beauty, it is something that we should all be aware of, that music was created in order for us to enjoy, experience its power and embrace infinity.