What is Ethnomusicology?
What two fields of study combine to create ethnomusicology?
Musicology and Anthropology
Gamelan comes from which two Indonesian islands?
Java and Bali
What do we call the highness or lowness of a sound?
Pitch
A single line of music with no accompaniment is called __________.
Monophonic
What are the four Hornbostel-Sachs categories of instruments?
Chordophones, Aerophones, Membranophones, Idiophones
What is one goal of ethnomusicology?
To understand music within cultural traditions (also: preserve oral traditions, explore music’s function in society, compare musical systems)
Samba is most strongly tied to which Brazilian festival?
Carnival
Define rhythm.
The pattern of beats in time
When multiple independent melodies are played at once, the texture is __________.
Polyphonic
Name one plucked chordophone.
Guitar, ukulele, harp, lute, mandolin
Name one way ethnomusicologists preserve traditions.
By recording and analyzing oral traditions
What does the Cherokee Warrior Dance symbolize?
Courage, unity, spiritual protection, and honoring ancestors
What is the difference between melody and harmony?
Melody = a sequence of pitches; Harmony = multiple pitches at once forming chords/intervals
Give an Example of Polyphony
A orchestra or Symphony
What is the difference between an aerophone woodwind and an aerophone brass instrument?
Woodwinds use air against reeds or across holes (flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone); brass instruments use lip vibration in a mouthpiece (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba)
Ethnomusicology studies music in its __________ context.
Cultural context
The word “Gamelan” comes from the Javanese word meaning what?
“To strike”
Which element of music refers to the “layers of sound”?
Texture
Melody with accompaniment means what?
One voice/instrument plays the main melody while others support with harmony
Give an example of an idiophone.
Gong, xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel
Give an example of how music can function in society.
Rituals, entertainment, protest, religious ceremonies, community bonding
How did Samba’s meaning change from its origins to becoming a national symbol?
it began in marginalized Afro-Brazilian communities but grew into a symbol of Brazilian national pride and identity
What musical element describes the unique quality of sound of an instrument/voice?
Timbre
How is Gamelan’s group-centered texture different from most Western music?
In Gamelan, no single part is more important—everyone plays together in balance; Western music often highlights solo melody lines
Explain how a membranophone produces sound and give one example.
By vibrating a stretched membrane/skin; examples include bass drum, timpani, djembe