CosmosLibra~Living on the Scales of Cosmos~

INTERPRETATION

Interpretation is:

the way performances change from different players

For example, one player might play the music faster, or using different dynamics or phrasing.

Every performer plays music differently, because each interprets the music differently

when you discuss interpretation in the exam, bear in mind the following factors:

- technique (phrasing, breathing, etc)

- dynamics (loud/quiet?)

- accents (sudden loud notes)

- speed of the music (pace, tempo, etc)

- ornamentation: trills, mordents, etc

- how strictly the performers play in time

COMPARING DIFFERENT VERSIONS

When listening two versions of a song/music, you need to think about their similarities and differences

use comparative language - words like louder, quieter, faster, slower.

think about:

- the type of instruments/voices used (soprano/bass voice, strings/brass/percussion etc)

- number of instruments/parts (solo, duet, trio, string ensemble, orchestra)

- speed and pitch

- structure of the music

- accompaniments

- version preferred, and why

MUSICAL TERMS

common musical terms used when describing and comparing music:

- solo: one instrument/voice

- duet: two instruments/voices

- trio: three instruments/voices

- string ensemble: small group of instruments made of violins, violas, cellos, double basses

- orchestra: large group of instruments made up of members of the four families (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion)

- major: in a happy sounding key

- minor: in a sad sounding key

- chromatic: scale consisting of all 12 semitones of the octave

- pentatonic: scale made up of 5 notes, used a lot in traditional Chinese and Scottish music, usually has no semitones

- modal: music based on one of the scales of seven pitch classes commonly found in western music, but excluding the major and minor scales. Used in early and world music

- raga: type of scale used in Indian music

- introduction: opening section of a piece

- coda: end section which rounds off a piece/movement

- ternary form: made up of three sections (sandwich -- ABA)

- binary form: made up of two sections (cake -- AB)

- sonata form: 3-part form, with an exposition, followed by a development, and a recapitulation

- vamping: playing block chords continuously throughout a section or piece

- oom-pa: chords played in three time to accompany a waltz

- alberti bass: accompaniment consisting of broken chords played in patterns on the left hand of the piano

- arpeggio: sounding of chord where notes are spread one after the other, usually in intervals of three











The above information was taken from a BBC website: GCSE Bitesize.com