
















Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Community
Ask the community for help and clear up your study doubts
Discover the best universities in your country according to Docsity users
Free resources
Download our free guides on studying techniques, anxiety management strategies, and thesis advice from Docsity tutors
A comprehensive overview of musical instruments and ensembles, exploring their classification, families, and types. It delves into the ethnomusicological approach to instrument classification, defining categories like aerophones, chordophones, membranophones, idiophones, and electrophones. The document also examines the human voice as an instrument, exploring vocal classifications and timbre. It concludes with a discussion of various musical ensembles, including vocal ensembles, symphony orchestras, jazz big bands, and chamber ensembles.
Typology: Study notes
1 / 24
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Musical Instruments and Ensembles
How are instruments classified and described?
Ethnomusicology: from the Greek “ethno” (culture, people), the scientific study of music of oral tradition, encompassing tribal and folk music, and of the art music produced by various world cultures.
Chordophones: instruments that produce sound by a vibrating string (or chord). Chordophones can by played by plucking, striking, strumming, or bowed. Examples: violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, mandolin, piano, harpsichord,
- Violin Sonata No. 1, 1 st movement, Johannes Brahms This composition by the Johannes Brahms is performed by piano and violin. Both of those instruments are chordophones. A piano creates sound by striking strings while the violin strings are set to vibration by a bow made of horse hair.
Membranophones: instruments that produce sound by a stretched membrane, usually made of plastic, animal skin, or fiberglass. Examples: “nearly infinite variety of drums found throughout the world.”
Electrophones: Sound produced by electric or electronic means. This is a relatively new category of instruments. Examples: synthesizers, computers, Theremin.
Female