Music

Students should be able to discuss the following aspects of tone colour as relevant to the music studied:

• sound source material, for example, wood, metal, string, skin, electronic and vocal
• method of sound production, for example, blowing, hitting, plucking, scraping and shaking
• combination of sound sources, for example, single voice, multiple voices, voices accompanied or unaccompanied by instruments.
  

Performing media

Solos: voices or instruments, accompanied or unaccompanied.

Small ensembles: duets, trios, quartets etc.

Large ensembles: choirs, opera choruses, orchestra (string, chamber, symphony).

Electronic music: synthesisers, effects pedals for electric guitars, musique concrete.

World music: gamelan orchestras, indigenous instruments, e.g. koto, didjeridu, sitar, mbira etc.

Unorthodox use of instruments, e.g. extremes of register.

Unorthodox combinations of instruments.

Objective descriptions

String sounds: describe how they are played.

Reeds: single or double reed instruments.

Brass: including all mutes (hand, cup, wah-wah, harmon).

Winds: flutes, recorders. Remember to include all indigenous sounds.

Vocal sounds (not just singing).

Subjective descriptions

Dark, mysterious, sombre.

Warm, bright, clear.

Nasal, harsh, etc.

Is there a relationship between tone colour and structure? Is tone colour used to differentiate between sections and create contrast?

Support ALL subjective comments with reasons.