Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre articulation and dynamics

Hello, and welcome to today's lesson entitled "Describing rhythm, tempo, timbre, articulation and dynamics." My name's Mr. Norris, and I'm gonna take you through today as we have a look at some of the ways that we can describe these elements with sophistication and nuance and really work on improving the detail when we're describing unfamiliar music. So, let's get started. Today's outcome is I can accurately describe the rhythm, tempo, timbre, articulation and dynamics of a piece of unfamiliar music. Some keywords. The first is metre. This is how many beats are in a bar, and it's usually represented by the time signature. Timbre, this is the specific quality of a sound. For example, is it an airy sound or a shrill sound? Many instruments can produce more than one timbre. And finally, articulation, and this is how a note is played. So examples might be legato, staccato, or accented. The first part of today's lesson is focusing on describing rhythm, metre, and tempo. Rhythm is one of the most fundamental musical elements. When listening to unfamiliar music, understanding the use of rhythm is key to making sense of that music. What are the aspects of rhythm that you could consider when describing a piece of music? You can pause my video while you have a quick think. Let's have a look at a few then. You might mention whether there are fast or slow notes. You might mention the specific note value, so are there crotchets, semiquavers, minims, for example? You might mention any syncopation. Is there any repetition? For example, the use of rhythmic motifs. Are there any swing rhythms? And are there any rhythms that are typical of a particular genre or tradition? For example, chaal, which is a really typical rhythm in bhangra, or son clave, which is a really typical rhythm in a lot of particularly Latin American styles. Let's pause my video now and have a listen to this clip and think about how you would describe the rhythm with some of those features in mind. Give it your best shot. Let's have a look at that one then. So we could say it uses mostly fast rhythms, with both the melody and the accompaniment mostly using semiquaver patterns. So we've mentioned a specific note value and the fact that most of the rhythms are fast. There's also some syncopation in the melody, so where offbeat notes are emphasised. We could also say that there are many repeated rhythms. That's really key. This is an example of minimalism, and that's based on repetition. The accompaniment is based on repeated semiquaver chords, and the melodic rhythms repeat as well. So everything is repeating. All the rhythms are heard more than once. It also uses some longer notes, in this case crotchets, towards the end. So we can see there, we've mentioned the types of notes that are used. We mentioned some specific features like syncopation. We've mentioned repetition as well, and we've been quite specific about what is being repeated. Let's check your understanding. Which three are aspects of rhythm to consider when describing unfamiliar music? Is there syncopation? What note values are used? Are there any rhythms used that are typical of the genre? And how many rhythms are playing at the same time? So which three relate to rhythm? You can pause my video just while you think of that. And the correct answers then are is there syncopation, what note values are used, and are there any rhythms that are typical of the genre? We wouldn't be talking about how many rhythms are playing at the same time because that would be texture, and that's slightly different. Tempo and metre also influence the feel of the piece of music. When describing them, we should identify the metre, or the time signature, and whether it has simple or compound time, use precise tempo descriptions, for example, very fast, moderately slow, try and use technical vocabulary, so for example, presto or moderato, allegro, when we're describing Western classical music, and consider changes in tempo, particularly use of rubato, any accelerando, which is when it speeds up, or rallentando/ritardando, which is when it slows down. Have a listen to this clip. I'd like you to think about what points could we make to describe the metre and the tempo of this piece of music. You can pause my video and have a listen. So you might have picked up here that we could say the metre is 12/8, which is a compound time signature. The tempo is slow. And there's a slight rallentando, which is a gradual slowing, and rubato at the end of a section before the tempo returns to its previous speed. So we've got a few points there. We've got time signature, we've got compound time, we've described the tempo, and then we've talked about the changes in tempo as well. Which of these would be the best description of tempo for this clip? Is it very fast, slow, or moderately fast? Pause my video while you have a listen. And the correct answer then would be moderately fast. And that's showing a little bit of nuance there in that description in that we're not just saying fast, we're giving an extra descriptive word to try and show where it fits within fast. There's a big difference between moderately fast and very fast, for example. For Task A, I'd like you to answer the questions to describe the rhythm and tempo of the clip. Question 1 is: How would you describe the tempo? Then, are there any tempo changes? What types of rhythm and note values can you hear? Describe any rhythmic repetition. And finally, I'd like to use answers 1 to 4 to create a paragraph describing the rhythm and tempo of this piece in full sentences. So you can pause my video while you do that and give this your best shot. Let's go through these questions. For question 1, we'd probably described the tempo as fast. You might have added an extra word onto that as well to try and be more specific. Are there any tempo changes? No, there are not. The tempo stays consistent throughout the clip. What types of rhythm and note values can you hear? Well, we've got the chords that use crotchets. We've got some faster quaver or semiquaver rhythms as well, as well as some longer sustained notes and the brass and the saxophones towards the end. There is no syncopation. Describe any rhythmic repetition. Well, we could say that the crotchet chords are repeated throughout most of the clip. And we could say the accompanying quaver rhythms repeat short rhythmic patterns. So there's a few points there we can have. If we then combine them into a paragraph, we could say this clip has a fast tempo that doesn't change. It mostly uses crotchet and quaver patterns that emphasise the beats. There are some faster semiquaver patterns heard as well. There is lots of repetition of the crotchet and quaver rhythms. Near the end, there are some longer notes heard when the horn section joins in. So that's quite a thorough, although quite short as well, paragraph describing the tempo and the rhythm of that piece. Well done if you got some of those points and if you managed to combine them effectively into a paragraph like that. For the second part of today's lesson, we're looking at describing timbre. When describing timbre, we can start by describing the instrumentation. That's the instruments that are used and the particular ensemble. So for example, a string quartet or an orchestra. I'd like you to pause my video and listen to this, and see if you can describe the instrumentation in this clip. You can do that now. Let's have a look then. So this is a big band. That's the ensemble, the specific ensemble that's being used. There's a horn section which consists of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, and a rhythm section consisting of drum kit, piano, double bass, and electric guitar. So as well as mentioning the specific instruments, we've also mentioned the ensemble and that extra information if you know a big band well, even though there's a horn section and a rhythm section there too. So well done if you got some of those points. A more sophisticated description of the timbre would consider the specific tone quality of each instrument. What kind of sound does it produce? We might use words like airy, shrill, mellow, fuzzy, clean, distorted, woody, bright, round, grainy. So these are lots of different words that we might use to try and describe the specific tone quality of an instrument. Can you think of any others? Just pause my video while you have a think. There are lots of other words that we can use to describe timbre. So we won't go through any more now, but really try to think about communicating that specific tone quality of that instrument is what you're going for with your word choice. Let's listen to this cello sound now. What words do you think are suitable to describe the timbre? Here we go. (sombre cello music) So we might say it's warm, it has a warm timbre, or rich, full, it's clear or resonant. That means it has some sort of vibration in it as well. And there are plenty of other words we could use as well. Let's have a listen to this trumpet. How would we describe the timbre of this? (energetic trumpet music) So it's obviously a very different timbre, but we might use words like bright or clean or crisp or punchy, things like that. So really try to think about what specific words you use that communicate that tone quality of the instrument. Many instruments can also produce more than one timbre. What are the two techniques used to create different timbres on this violin, and how would you describe the timbre of each sound? Let's have a listen. (suspenseful violin music) So, the two techniques that we've used there are pizzicato and arco. Pizzicato's when the strings are plucked, and arco is when they're played with the bow. And pizzicato creates a bright, clear, and percussive timbre, while arco is more warm, it's richer, it's more resonant, it's fuller. And there are lots of other words we could use there to describe those timbres. But we can see there on that one instrument, you've got these really contrasting timbres, and bearing that in mind when we're talking about timbre is important. Which two of these would not be appropriate to describe the timbre of a sound? Mellow, high-pitched, bright, or fast. So which two are not appropriate? And the correct answer then would be high-pitched and fast. High-pitched describes the pitch, not the timbre, and fast would either be describing the rhythm or the tempo, not the timbre. So well done if you got those. For Task B, I'd like you to complete this table to describe the timbre of each clip. For each one, start off by describing the instruments, and if you can, name the ensemble or the type of ensemble. And then describe the tone quality of each instrument using some of those descriptive words that we've been looking at. So you can pause my video and give this task your best shot. And remember, go for as much detail as you can. Let's go through this then. So the first example used percussion instruments, and in this case, they were marimbas. So that's a type of tuned percussion that's similar to a xylophone. To describe the tone quality, we could describe it as woody, percussive, crisp, bright, round, or resonant. For example 2, there was a flute and piano. We can describe the flute as airy, breathy, or bright. And we can describe the piano as clear, rounded, and mellow. And there will be other words that are totally suitable for those answers there, but it's given you some good ideas there of the kind of words that we might typically use for those instruments. So well done if you picked up on some of those or got equally valuable answers. For the third part of today's lesson, we're looking at describing articulation and dynamics. Articulation and dynamics are two final elements that we must consider when describing unfamiliar music. Articulation is how notes are played. Can you think of any examples of different articulations? I'll give you a few seconds. Here are some of the ones you might have thought of then. The most common are legato, which is smooth, without breaks between notes, staccato, which is short and detached notes, and accented, which are where notes are emphasised more than the notes around them. How would you describe the articulation in this clip? Let's have a listen. (light flute music) So we'd probably describe the articulation as legato because it's smooth, there are no gaps between notes. I'd like you to pause my video and listen to this bassoon melody now. What articulation can you hear here? Have a go. And the correct answer here then is there are staccato notes and there are accented notes as well. So we've got two different types of articulation used in that clip. Well done if you picked up on one or both of those. When we're describing dynamics, we want to use specific technical vocabulary, so things like piano, forte, if it is appropriate to the style. And in that case, we're really talking about Western classical music. Also consider any changes in dynamics. So things like are there crescendos? Are there diminuendos? How did the dynamics change over the course of the clip? I want you to listen to this clip and try and pick out what are the most distinct features of the dynamics? You can pause my video while you have a listen. So the most distinct features here are that the dynamics start quiet, but they gradually crescendo to become loud. That's the key point in this. It starts quiet, and it gradually becomes louder. And again, when we're talking about dynamic change, remember to think about the speed of that change. Is it a gradual change, or is it a sudden change? Because those two things have very different musical effects. Which two are not types of articulation? Forte, staccato, diminuendo, or accented. I'll give you a few seconds. And the correct answers then are forte and diminuendo. Both of those are talking about dynamics, not articulation, whereas staccato and accented are types of articulation. Which term describes a change in dynamics? Is it rallentando, presto, diminuendo, or forte? I'll give you a few seconds. And the correct answer here then is diminuendo, which means a gradual quietening. For Task C, you're gonna this time write a descriptive paragraph about this piece of music. In this example, I'd like you to focus on articulation and dynamics. And try to make at least four separate points. Remember, when we're practising these kind of questions as well, try and go for as much detail as you can, so really try and get as much detail and as much sophisticated technical vocabulary as you can. You can pause my video and give this task your best shot. Let's review this task then. So there are repeated staccato chords, with strong accents emphasising some of the chords. Most notes in the clip are staccato, but there are some less detached notes near the end and also tremolos. There are sudden changes of dynamics between very loud, or fortissimo, and quiet, piano. And the accented notes are particularly loud. So we've got a really thorough description there of the kinds of articulation that are used. We've got a mention of the different types of dynamic that we hear, the changes and what those changes are like because they're sudden, and then also that interesting point at end that the accented notes are particularly loud. So a combination of dynamics and articulation in our last sentence. Well done if you picked up on some of those points. There are other valid points you could have made, but this is an example of a sort of model description for that example. Let's review today's lesson. When we're describing rhythm, we might mention things like specific note lengths or patterns, as well as any idiomatic rhythms. When we're describing metre and tempo, we wanna use technical terms like presto and also identify tempo changes. When we're looking at timbre, we wanna think about instruments that are used and the specific sounds or techniques that are used on them. For example, muted or arco. And finally, when we're talking about articulation and dynamics, we might think about things like how the note is played and how loud or soft the music is as well. So hopefully this lesson has given you some ideas as to how you can write slightly more sophisticated and nuanced descriptions of rhythm, tempo, timbre, articulation, and dynamics when you're listening to unfamiliar music. And the key with all of this is just to get lots of practise in, listening to unfamiliar music, and challenging yourself to really try and pick apart what's going on, using that technical vocabulary, and really trying to communicate those concepts really clearly. So thanks for taking part, and I look forward to seeing you in another lesson.