Timbre

The distinctive individual sound of an

instrument or voice
Factors include:
- Materials used
- Played e.g. strings? reed?
- Resonates e.g. brass? strings?
Timbres create different moods or feelings

India:
sitar, tabla

Africa:
djembe, xylophone

Caribbean:
steel pans

A sound lasts longer because it is

reflected between walls, floor and
ceiling of a room

Often used in rock music (electric

guitar), creating an aggressive sound

When a recorded voice/ instrument is

multiplied electronically, so it sounds
like many

A recording technique where different

sounds are recorded separately, then
played back together

Boosts the level of the quietest

sounds in a piece of music so that
they balance with the louder sounds

Device used to electronically combine

a human voice with a musical
instrument

Electronic device or computer

program that is used to record, edit
and play back music data using MIDI

Sound is electronically moved across

from one speaker to another, or is
separated into different speakers

Playing a string instrument with a bow

e.g. violin, viola, cello, double bass

Strings are plucked instead of playing

with a bow

Means with a mute dampens sound

Watch the video of Paolo

Nutinis Pencil Full of Lead as an
example of this...

Where string players bow 2 notes at the

same time, on adjacent strings
sounds like a chord

Another string effect, means,

trembling or quivering
Rapid up-and-down movements of the
bow on the strings, creating an
agitated or shimmering effect

Technique by male singers, to sing

notes higher than their normal range

Literally means shaking or quivering

Adds warmth and expression to the
tone of the music

Compose and record a short piece of music on

the keyboard with your partner, using at least 8
different timbres (sounds)
Chords:
C: C, E and G
G: G, B and D
F: F, A and C
Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C