Music Appreciation
1. What are figured bass and basso continuo? How are they related?
Figured bass is a musical notation using numbers to indicate chords, intervals, and other aspects in relation to the bass note of the music and basso continuo is the harmony of the music itself. (this has nothing to do with the question; when I took AP music theory, figured bass was my favorite thing to do!)
2. What is ornamentation?
Ornamentation is the use of non-necessary musical flourishes, such as trills and grace notes, to the basic melody or harmony.
3. What is an oratorio? How does it differ from an opera?
Oratorios are basically just concerts, whereas operas are more theatrical. Oratorios have a different focus and don’t use scenery like operas.
4. What is an orchestra? How did the development of orchestras influence Baroque music?
Orchestras are larger instrumental ensembles or groups that contain brass, string, percussion, and woodwind instruments. The development of orchestras brought along the development of new instruments, like the violin and cello & it also brought along the composition of orchestral music specifically.
5. What is an instrumental suite?
A composition that consists of a succession of short pieces, forming into a large composition.
Critical thinking questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Baroque music? How would you describe Baroque music? Baroque music is defined as “that in which the harmony is confused, charged with modulations and dissonances, the melody is harsh and little natural, the intonation difficult, and the movement constrained” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). To me, baroque music is highly eccentric and decorative; extremely difficult and concise, yet beautiful all at the same time.
2. Choose one of the composers discussed in the unit and listen to several of the composer’s works. Which works did you listen to? How would you describe this composer’s music? Why do you think this composer was an
Figured bass is a musical notation using numbers to indicate chords, intervals, and other aspects in relation to the bass note of the music and basso continuo is the harmony of the music itself. (this has nothing to do with the question; when I took AP music theory, figured bass was my favorite thing to do!)
2. What is ornamentation?
Ornamentation is the use of non-necessary musical flourishes, such as trills and grace notes, to the basic melody or harmony.
3. What is an oratorio? How does it differ from an opera?
Oratorios are basically just concerts, whereas operas are more theatrical. Oratorios have a different focus and don’t use scenery like operas.
4. What is an orchestra? How did the development of orchestras influence Baroque music?
Orchestras are larger instrumental ensembles or groups that contain brass, string, percussion, and woodwind instruments. The development of orchestras brought along the development of new instruments, like the violin and cello & it also brought along the composition of orchestral music specifically.
5. What is an instrumental suite?
A composition that consists of a succession of short pieces, forming into a large composition.
Critical thinking questions:
1. What are the characteristics of Baroque music? How would you describe Baroque music? Baroque music is defined as “that in which the harmony is confused, charged with modulations and dissonances, the melody is harsh and little natural, the intonation difficult, and the movement constrained” (Jean-Jacques Rousseau). To me, baroque music is highly eccentric and decorative; extremely difficult and concise, yet beautiful all at the same time.
2. Choose one of the composers discussed in the unit and listen to several of the composer’s works. Which works did you listen to? How would you describe this composer’s music? Why do you think this composer was an