Instruments in the Orchestra

Ostinato Music Definition Ostinato (plural – ostinati or ostinatos) is an Italian word meaning obstinate or persistent and is used in music to describe a musical phrase or rhythm that is repeated persistently. The repeated pattern could be a melody, a figure in the bass – called a basso ostinato or simply a repeated rhythmic idea. An ostinato may be played for an entire piece of music or just during one section. The key aspect to remember in the definition of an ostinato is that it is a pattern that is repeated persistently in a piece of music. Rhythmic Ostinato A rhythmic ostinato is a rhythmic pattern that is persistently repeated. It will often be played on an untuned percussion instrument (e.g. snare drum, triangle, etc..). However, rhythmic ostinati can also be found in parts played on pitched instruments where the note pitch stays the same or where the pitches change as the phrase is repeated. The key characteristic is that it is the rhythm that is persistently repeated.In Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” the use of a rhythmic ostinato brings a magical and almost hypnotic feel to the piece as the percussive pattern contrasts with the sweeping and almost improvisatory nature of the flute melody. Have a look at the pattern below and listen to its use in the audio extract: Rhythmic Ostinato Example from Ravel Bolero.A rhythmic ostinato is an excellent technique that composers use for creating drama and tension. One of the most famous examples of this is from “Mars” by Gustav Holst. Have a look/listen to the rhythmic pattern: Rhythmic Ostinato Example from Gustav Holst Mars. This rhythmic pattern is played relentlessly throughout the piece and forms the basis for the intense drama associated with the subject – Mars, the god of war! Have a listen to this extract of the piece performed by the United States Air Force Band:You can hear how the relentless sound of a rhythmic ostinato is extremely effective at building tension as the music around it changes and develops. This effect is heightened in the extract from Mars as the bass note remains on a G throughout the extract and acts as a pedal point. Not surprisingly, rhythmic ostinati are used widely in dramatic film music. Hans Zimmer is a film composer who makes considerable use of this technique across the many film scores he has written. Have a listen to the opening from his theme for the film “Pirates of the Caribbean” performed by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra:You can hear that there are a number of different ostinati in many of the different parts that are layered to produce the overall sound. Here is the rhythmic ostinato that forms the basis of the melody line: Rhythmic Ostinato Example Hans ZimmerMelodic ostinato A melodic ostinato is a repeated pattern where both the rhythm and the melody form the basis for the repeated pattern. These often occur in the bass part where they are called a basso ostinato. Basso Ostinato A basso ostinato is a repeated pattern in the bass part of a piece. This technique became particularly popular in the 17th century where a number of Baroque dances were based upon ostinati in the bass part. In dances such as the passacaglia the bass remained constant throughout the piece whilst the other parts developed. This technique is called “ground bass” and you can have a look at my lesson on ground bass for some examples of this. The most famous example of a basso ostinato is Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Ostinati Examples in Contemporary Music Rhythmic and melodic ostinatos have had a massive influence on contemporary popular music across a wide range of genres. This can be seen in 2 main ways: Riffs (short melodic phrases) – these are effectively contemporary expressions of ostinato. Loops – rhythmic and melodic phrases are repeated to create the characteristic sound of contemporary productions. As a result, you will probably be able to find examples of the use of repeated patterns/ostinati in most contemporary songs. However, there are some songs where the use of an ostinato provides the clear foundation for the song and these are useful examples to listen to. Examples of Ostinati Riffs Seven Nation Army by White Stripes The guitar riff from Seven Nation Army is one of the most famous modern guitar riffs and is used as an ostinato that plays throughout the song. It is an excellent example of a melodic ostinato:Back in Black by AC/DC The opening guitar riff in this song is another great example:Examples of Loops Loops are repeated patterns that are clearly built on the concept of ostinati. They are used widely in contemporary music. Hip hop songs often use loops as the foundation for the track. Still D.R.E by Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg In this song a piano loop plays throughout the whole track and forms the foundation of the song:

Create a quiz with these questions: Tempo – Questions What Italian word means "slow"? What tempo marking means “lively” or “fast”? What tempo marking means “walking pace”? What word is used for “very fast” tempo? What do we call a gradual change in tempo? What term means to return to the original tempo? 🔊 Dynamics – Questions What symbol tells you to play loudly? What dynamic marking means “very soft”? What is it called when music suddenly becomes soft? What dynamic term means to gradually get louder? What do mp and mf stand for? What two markings show extreme contrast in dynamics? 📝 Note Values – Questions What note gets one beat in 4/4 time? What kind of note gets half a beat? Two of what type of note equal a whole note? What note has a stem, is filled in, and has one flag? What kind of dot adds half the value of the note it follows? What combination of notes equals a dotted quarter note? 📏 Time Signatures – Questions What time signature has 2 beats per measure? What time signature is used for waltzes? What time signature is used in marches? What does the top number in a time signature tell us? In 4/4 time, how many beats are in 3 quarter notes and 1 eighth note? What time signature is called “compound duple” and used in Irish jigs? 📻 Current Music Info – Questions Which artist had the highest-grossing tour by 2025? What is the most-used music streaming service in 2025? What music genre continues to top the Billboard charts in 2025? Which artist released a surprise double album in 2024? What tech company released a hit AI-generated song? Who is the youngest artist to win Album of the Year twice? 🎺 Instruments & Timbre – Questions What instrument family includes the violin and cello? What family do the flute and clarinet belong to? What instrument has black and white keys and is both string and percussion? Timbre describes what aspect of a sound? What word describes how instruments are combined in an arrangement? What double reed instrument often plays the tuning note in an orchestra?

Me than in others , a sense which I once possessed in the greatest perfection ..." Even in his darkest moments , however , Beethoven never abandoned hope . Despite his hearing loss , he was determined to find a way to continue living a life full of music . He used a variety of hearing aids to try to increase the amount of sound he could take in . When composing music at the piano , he would put one end of a pencil in his mouth and place the other end against the instrument so that he could feel the notes . Although Beethoven was able to continue composing music , it became increasingly difficult for him to perform in public . When Beethoven presented Symphony No .9 in Vienna in 1824, it was his first time on stage in over ten years . Since that day , Beethoven ' s Symphony No .9 has become one of the most famous and treasured pieces in the history of classical music . The first movement starts quietly , but all of a sudden the whole orchestra breaks into an energetic theme . You can soon feel the determination - a quality Beethoven understood well because of his hearing difficulties - coursing through the music . The next two movements are full of desperate lows and uplifting highs which perhaps reflect both his suffering and his strong will to fight it . The music moves through technically difficult sections with ease , showing his genius as a composer . Finally , in the fourth movement , he connects all of the different variations into a joyful chorus . As Beethoven ' s last great work , his Symphony No .9 was also a grand finale to his life - he died less than three years after the concert in Vienna , aged 56. For his amazing achievements and for his determination even in his darkest days , Beethoven is regarded as one of the most remarkable musicians who ever lived .

Question 1: What is the primary purpose of using rubrics in assessment? A. To reduce the number of assignments teachers must grade B. To give students random feedback C. To assess learner performance using specific criteria and levels D. To make grading faster and easier for instructors Question 2: Which of the following is a characteristic of analytic rubrics? A. Assess the entire task as a whole B. Provide a single descriptive paragraph for all criteria C. Use multiple criteria with individual performance descriptors D. Do not include any scoring scale Question 3: What is one benefit of using rubrics in education? A. They eliminate the need for grading B. They confuse learners about expectations C. They help provide informative and constructive feedback D. They discourage students from revising their work Question 4: When choosing between an analytic and a holistic rubric, which is true? A. Holistic rubrics provide detailed feedback for each component B. Analytic rubrics assess the task as a whole C. Holistic rubrics are used to give a general judgment of overall performance D. Analytic rubrics are used when no feedback is needed Question 5: Which of the following is not a step in developing a rubric? A. Define the purpose of the learning task B. Choose rubric type C. Design final exam questions D. Write performance descriptors Question 6 What does “content validity” refer to in assessment instruments? A. The extent to which the test predicts future performance B. The extent to which test items cover the intended content C. How consistent the results of the test are over time D. The judgment of whether a test looks valid on the surface Question 7 Which type of reliability involves the consistency of scores given by two or more raters? A. Intra-rater reliability B. Test-retest reliability C. Inter-rater reliability D. Internal consistency Question 8 Which statistical method is used to confirm that all items measure the intended construct? A. Content mapping B. Guessing analysis C. Construct charting D. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) Question 9 According to the PDF, what is one way to increase the validity of an assessment instrument? A. Shorten the test to reduce variability B. Apply penalties for guessing C. Conduct a vetting session with experts D. Use the same rater for all responses Question 10 In the affective domain construct map, what is the highest level of affective behavior? A. Responding B. Valuing C. Characterisation D. Organisation

Identify ways in which the properties of mirrors and lenses determine their use in optical instruments (e.g., cameras and binoculars); S10FE-IIh-52

WEATHER INSTRUMENTS • For the weather elements learnt, we use different instruments to measure and record them. • The instruments are: 1. A thermometer 2. A rain gauge 3. A wind vane 4. A cup anemometer 5. A hygrometer 6. A barometer 7. A Stevenson screen WEATHER INSTRUMENTS 1. Thermometer •It is used to measure temperature. •The unit of measurement is degrees Celcius (ᵒC). 2. Rain gauge •Is used to measure the amount of rainfall. •The unit of measurement is millimetres (mm). •In Zimbabwe more rains are experienced in summer. WEATHER INSTRUMENTS 3. Windvane •Used to determine the direction of the wind. •We always name the wind after the direction from which it blows. WEATHER INSTRUMENTS 4. Cup anemometer •It is used to measure wind speed. •It measures how quickly the set of cups turns around in a circle. •The unit of measurement is knots. 1 knot = 1.85km/hour WEATHER INSTRUMENTS 5. Barometer •It is used to measure atmospheric pressure. •Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air on the earth. •If the pressure changes, it tells us that the weather is going to change. •High pressure means air is sinking and the weather will be clear. •Low pressure means the air is rising and there is a chance of rain. WEATHER INSTRUMENTS WEATHER INSTRUMENTS 6. Hygrometer •It is used to measure humidity. •Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air

They've Got the Beat! Some students in New York really sing their hearts out! That's because they are in the school chorus at Public School 22. These students from Staten Island had a concert at the White House. They sang at a Hollywood awards show. Audiences have clapped and cheered them on. These kids are always asked to return. How does it feel to sing on stage? "I get nervous singing for a big audience," Brianna Crispino recalls. "But when I see the joy on their faces, I get excited." Sounds Good. The P.S.22 chorus is divided into two groups. The sopranos sing high notes. The altos sing lower sounds. Instruments like drums sometimes keep the beat. It's important to keep the rhythm so they make the right sounds together. Most adult choruses have four groups of voices. Here's a look at the number of each type of voice in one adult chorus from Pennsylvania. Musical Expression. Being part of the chorus is hard work. The chorus members won't disagree. They practice for three hours each week. Gregg Breinberg, their teacher, encourages the chorus to use movements. They move their hands to show how the songs make them feel. "They have their own movements because nobody feels music the same way," he explains. The chorus members understand that singing in a chorus is a big job. "We just want to give it our best!" one student says.

Musical Texture Texture Musical texture is the element of music that analyzes musical layers in terms of number and function. The most basic texture is called monophonic. Oh mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law. Monophonic texture has only one layer, a melody. With monophony, it doesn't matter how many instruments and or voices are present if they are all singing or playing the same thing at the same time. It also doesn't matter if the voices or instruments are on the exact same frequency, or if they are singing in octaves. An octave is the distance between two musical pitches that sound almost the same, but one is higher and one is lower. It also doesn't matter if drums are present or not. In most cases, drums, the rhythmic layer, are neither melody nor harmony, and therefore are generally not considered when determining texture type. Too much monophony can be boring, so most music has another kind of layer, harmony. When a melody is supported by a harmony, the texture is homophonic. No one may ever know the feelings inside my mind. All the lines I ever write are running out of time. One layer grabs your attention, and the other layer is just hanging out in the background. Most popular music is homophonic. Notice how there was only one instrument in the previous example, a piano, but there were two different things happening on that instrument, a melody, and a harmony. What if a piece of music has multiple independent layers happening at the same time, and you're not sure which one is the melody? This is called polyphony. Polyphony can occur if you take the same melody but start it at staggered intervals. This is called a round. ♪ The last texture is called heterophony. Heterophony is relatively rare in Western music but is very common in non-Western music. It occurs when there are two or more versions of the same melody happening at the same time. Usually, one of the melody lines has more notes than the other, a kind of musical decoration, and or a slightly different rhythmic pattern. Songs will often use a variety of textures to keep the piece interesting. Come on, I need you, I swear, at this moment, you need everything. Come on, I need you, I swear, at this moment, you need everything. Start trying to identify the musical textures in your favorite music.

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