Question

world music homework questions chapter 2

1. which one of the four basic components of music is most helpful in identifying a world music tradition?
2. why is that one element helpful in identifying a world music tradition?
3. name at least 3 examples from each instrument category in the sachs - hornbostel system.
4. in which subcategories to these examples belong?
5. how does pitch differ from tuning system?
6. how does tuning system differ from scale?
7. how does scale differ from range?
8. how does homophony differ from independent polyphony?
9. how does independent polyphony differ from heterophony?
10. what are some difficulties in using english terminology to describe the worlds musics?
11. when music is represented graphically in notation, what are some of the limitations?
12. how is western staff notation limited in its ability to describe world music?

Explanation:

1. Rhythm is often crucial as it can be highly distinctive to a culture's music tradition, with unique time - signatures, beats, and patterns.
2. Rhythm is helpful because it can be a cultural marker. Different cultures have characteristic rhythmic structures that are passed down and are integral to their musical identity. For example, African polyrhythms are very different from Western rhythms.

3.

• Aerophones: Flute (end - blown), Ocarina (duct - blown), Trumpet (lip - vibrated).
• Chordophones: Guitar (plucked), Violin (bowed), Harp (plucked).
• Idiophones: Maraca (shaken), Xylophone (struck), Bell (struck).
• Membranophones: Drum (struck), Djembe (struck), Bodhran (struck).

4.

• Flute: End - blown aerophone. Ocarina: Duct - blown aerophone. Trumpet: Lip - vibrated aerophone.
• Guitar: Plucked chordophone. Violin: Bowed chordophone. Harp: Plucked chordophone.
• Maraca: Shaken idiophone. Xylophone: Struck idiophone. Bell: Struck idiophone.
• Drum: Membranophone (struck). Djembe: Membranophone (struck). Bodhran: Membranophone (struck).

1. Pitch refers to the perceived highness or lowness of a sound, often related to its frequency. A tuning system is a set of pitches and the relationships between them, like equal - temperament tuning in Western music.
2. A tuning system is about the set of pitches and their relationships, while a scale is a subset of pitches from a tuning system, typically arranged in ascending or descending order, like the major scale.
3. A scale is a set of specific pitches in an ordered sequence, while range refers to the span from the lowest to the highest pitch that an instrument or voice can produce.
4. Homophony has a single melodic line with accompaniment, while independent polyphony has multiple independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously.
5. Independent polyphony has multiple distinct melodic lines, while heterophony is when a single melodic line is varied simultaneously by different performers or parts.
6. English terminology may not have direct equivalents for some musical concepts in other cultures. Also, English - based terms may carry Western - centric connotations that don't accurately describe non - Western musics.
7. Graphic notations may not fully capture the nuances of expression like timbre, microtonal variations, and the fluidity of some musical performances. They are often a simplified representation.
8. Western staff notation is designed mainly for Western music and may not accurately represent non - Western tuning systems (microtones), rhythms (complex polyrhythms), and performance styles.

Answer:

1. Rhythm
2. It is a cultural marker with unique structures.
3. Aerophones: Flute, Ocarina, Trumpet; Chordophones: Guitar, Violin, Harp; Idiophones: Maraca, Xylophone, Bell; Membranophones: Drum, Djembe, Bodhran
4. Flute: End - blown aerophone; Ocarina: Duct - blown aerophone; Trumpet: Lip - vibrated aerophone; Guitar: Plucked chordophone; Violin: Bowed chordophone; Harp: Plucked chordophone; Maraca: Shaken idiophone; Xylophone: Struck idiophone; Bell: Struck idiophone; Drum: Membranophone (struck); Djembe: Membranophone (struck); Bodhran: Membranophone (struck)
5. Pitch is about sound highness/lowness, tuning system is set of pitches and their relations.
6. Tuning system is set of pitches and relations, scale is subset of pitches in order.
7. Scale is set of ordered pitches, range is span of lowest - highest pitches.
8. Homophony has single melody with accompaniment, independent polyphony has multiple independent melodies.
9. Independent polyphony has multiple distinct melodies, heterophony has varied single melody.
10. Lack of equivalents, Western - centric connotations.
11. Can't capture nuances like timbre, microtonal variations.
12. Designed for Western music, can't represent non - Western tuning, rhythms, styles well.