4/2 : Instrumentation In Class Activity
Instructions
- This will be a combination of Review and Testing your Knowledge , with some listening exercises mixed in
- Some Musical Examples are ones we have heard before (for familiarity..) and some are brand new
- Keep in mind while doing this activity that this is all material we should be solid on !
- Pay attention to the red ACTIVITY sections - there are 3 - you will hand these in completed at the end of class !
- *** ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ***
- ****** THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE GRADED *******
Definitions
Musical Instrument
in·stru·ment
/ˈinstrəmənt/
Long Definition:
A musical instrument is an instrument created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture
Short Definition:
a device (such as a violin, piano, or flute) used to make music
A musical instrument is an instrument created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture
Short Definition:
a device (such as a violin, piano, or flute) used to make music
Instrumentation
in·stru·men·ta·tion
/ˌinstrəmənˈtāSH(ə)n/
Long Definition:
In music, instrumentation is the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and the properties of those instruments individually.
Short Definition:
the particular instruments used in a piece of music; the manner in which a piece is arranged for instruments.
In music, instrumentation is the particular combination of musical instruments employed in a composition, and the properties of those instruments individually.
Short Definition:
the particular instruments used in a piece of music; the manner in which a piece is arranged for instruments.
Musical genre
A music genre is a conventional category that identifies some pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions.
ACTIVITY #1 :
Keep a Comprehensive list of all Songs/Artist you hear during the course of this exercise ( There are around 20)
Instrumentation : Different Sized Ensembles
- For listening examples, it is always useful to listen for yourself once while jotting some observations, then read the observations I have guided (so you know what the description is talking about and can hear it in your head)
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One important thing to notice about the previous video - There is only 1 person, but he is providing 2 instruments (piano and vocals) - often time (especially when vocals are present) we hear one person providing multiple sounds / instruments
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Check out these examples of Musical Scores ( "Score" is the term for a piece of sheet music that has all the instruments' respective musical parts. this is what the conductor of the orchestra is looking at)
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SO....
When dealing with instrumentation, we are observing these 2 variables :
1. How many instruments are present
2. What types of instruments are present
When dealing with instrumentation, we are observing these 2 variables :
1. How many instruments are present
2. What types of instruments are present
Activity #2 :
For the following examples, watch and make some observations about the instrumentation. You should have some bullet points for our 2 main instrumentation questions :
1. How many Instruments are present
**** Do this for EACH OF THESE 8 examples Below******
****** Sometimes instruments don't come in until later in the song - check out whole thing so you don't miss any ******
1. How many Instruments are present
- What is the number ?
- is it a smaller than usual instrumentation, larger ?
- Does the size have any kind of direct effect on the song ? (ex. the 12 electric guitars were too loud and i couldn't hear the vocals.)
- List the instruments - say the name if you know it, or describe the sound / look - you may have to do some research !
- is there anything unique about these instruments individually ? anything that sticks out to you about the sound ?
- Is there anything unique about the Combination of instruments collectively as a whole ? is this combo common ? associated with any particular genre ?
**** Do this for EACH OF THESE 8 examples Below******
****** Sometimes instruments don't come in until later in the song - check out whole thing so you don't miss any ******
Examples
1. Between the Bars
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2. Mr Tambourin Man
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**** Notice it is a test for your ears when you don't have the luxury of a visual aid like a video with the band*****
3. Tears In Heaven
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4. Junjo
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*** If you are not as used to these instruments - you may have more difficulty picking them out ! ***
5. Heart of Gold
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6. Au Privave
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**** It can get increasingly harder as more timbres get added in and the instrumentation gets "thicker"
- Some instruments are very obvious and audible - like the vocals or a guitar or harmonica solo
OR
- Some are less easily heard - such as bass or background vocals -
7. Hey Jude
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GENRE / INSTRUMENTATION
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Original |
Jazz |
Country |
Orchestral |
SALSA |
Activity #3:
Questions to Answer about each Video :
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ORIGINAL |
#1 |
#2 |
#3 |
#4 |