Western Music: The Start II

Neumes: The earliest neumes were inflective marks which indicated the general shape but not necessarily the exact notes or rhythms to be sung. Later developments included the use of heightened neumes which showed the relative pitches between neumes, and the creation of a four-line musical staff that identified particular pitches. Neumes do not generally indicate rhythm, but additional symbols were sometimes juxtaposed with neumes to indicate changes in articulation, duration, or tempo. Neumatic notation was later used in medieval music to indicate certain patterns of rhythm called rhythmic modes, and eventually evolved into modern musical notation. Neumatic notation remains standard in modern editions of plainchant.
 
....and for something a little weird...

The Beginnings of Western Music! Homework Due 3/8/13

- Listen to Hildegard von Bingen: O Pastor Pnimarum (plainchant) and then to Michael Praetorius: Two Dance Clusters from Terpsichore. Write 3-4 paragraphs comparing and contrasting these two very contrasting early works in Western Music. In one paragraph tell us who was Hildegard von Bingen and who was Michael Praetorius? When did they live and what was the purpose of the music that they wrote? Due: Friday March 8, 2013!


Words to know:

Plainchant: Plainchant is monophonic, consisting of a single, unaccompanied melodic line. It generally has a more free rhythm than the metered rhythm of later Western music.

Monophonic: In music, monophony is the simplest of textures, consisting of melody without accompanying harmony. This may be realized as just one note at a time, or with the same note duplicated at the octave (such as often when men and women sing together). If an entire melody is played by two or more instruments or sung by a choir with a fixed interval between the voices or in unison, it is also said to be in monophony. Music in which all the notes sung are in unison is called monophonic. Musical texture is determined in song and music by varying components. Songs intersperse monophony, heterophony, polyphony, homophony, or monody elements throughout the melody to create atmosphere and style. Monophony may not have underlying rhythmic textures, and must consist of only a melodic line.

Polyphonic: In music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

Sacred Music: Is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence.

Secular Music: is nonreligious music. Secular means being separate from religion.

**HOMEWORK** Due Tuesday 3/19/2013

In an effort to make your progress report more meaningful for you and your parents, the Aministration would like for each of you to take a moment to reflect upon your year thus far in class and to consider your goals. In order to satisfactorily complete this reflection, you must write a short paragraph (just a few sentences) and email it to me Tuesday 3/19 by 10 a.m.

There is no need to attach a document – simply an e-mail with your reflection. (Please note that your reflection will be included in your progress report, so please proofread your work.) aaroncraven@fcds.org

Guidelines:

1. Please begin with an area in class in which you feel successful. Please use a specific example to illustrate your ideas. (Example: An area of strength for me in class is preparation – I always have my homework completed and I never forget my books.)

2. Discuss an area in which you are struggling or in which you could improve. Please use a specific example to illustrate your ideas. (Example: I think that writing essays is hard. I feel like I am working hard, but my grades aren’t as high as I would like. Mrs. So-and-so always says that I need to work on my transitions, so I need to practice that.)

3. Share your specific goals and HOW you plan to accomplish them. (Example: In the next couple of months, I would like to see my vocabulary/grammar quiz grades improve. To accomplish this goal, I will put more effort into the lessons in the grammar book, make vocab flash cards, and see Mrs. So-and-so during tutorial if I am unsure about a concept.)

This reflection is a homework grade. 15 points - Please complete it with care.

Percussion - N'Stuff

Click on the link below to find more detailed information regarding all of the different (Non-pitched) Percussion available -

Drums


Here is a short video that gives a brief description of some of the standard percussion instruments. 




The University of Missouri - St. Louis, Percussion Ensemble

Music, Energy, and Fiction

Today in class we are listening to 5 different pieces of music and writing a work of fiction (in real time) that reflects the energy and vibe that the music portrays - Think "The Imperial March" from Star Wars - How does the music work to aid in the story?

Track 1.) Chased Out(Claire Martin)
Track 2.) Green Light(John Legend Feat. Andre 3000)
Track 3.) Snow(Amie Miriello)
Track 4.) Teenage Love Affair(Alicia Keys)
Track 5.) Neon(John Mayer)


Assignment:  Please take the time to type up your "Story" and turn it in by Monday 2/11/2013 for 20 Points (Be sure to Proof-Read Your Work.)

If you wish - find the above music on youtube.com and re-listen as you do your homework assignment tonight. 

What you need to know for your T*E*S*T on 2/8/2013

Below are links to the topics covered in class today.  Be sure to look them over.  You will have a test on these concepts Friday February 8, 2013!  This test will include note reading/identification.  Be sure to practice your note reading using the Practice link below.  If you have any further questions regarding the material - check out the video below for a quick and helpful review. 

1.)  Please click HERE to review the Staff, Clefs, and Ledger Lines covered in class today. 
2.) Please click HERE to review the Note Values covered in class today. 
3.) Please click HERE to review Measures and Time Signatures covered in class today. 
4.) Please click HERE to review Rest Values covered in class today. 

Practice Note Reading!

Here are some mnemonic devises  for remembering the notes on the staff in both treble and bass clef.

A Different Way to listen?

Ms. Glennie's Web-Site

Glennie tours extensively in the northern hemisphere, spending up to four months each year in the United States, and performs with a wide variety of orchestras and contemporary musicians, giving over 100 concerts a year as well as master classes and "music in schools" performances; she frequently commissions percussion works from composers and performs them in her concert repertoire. She also plays the Great Highland Bagpipes and has her own registered tartan known as "The Rhythms of Evelyn Glennie". Glennie is in the process of producing her own range of jewelry and works as a motivational speaker.

Glennie has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, having started to lose her hearing from the age of 8. This does not inhibit her ability to perform at the international level. She regularly plays barefoot during both live performances and studio recordings in order to feel the music better. Glennie contends that deafness is largely misunderstood by the public. She claims to have taught herself to hear with parts of her body other than her ears. In response to criticism from the media, Glennie published "Hearing Essay" in which she discusses her condition.