Pills of musical culture

[Winemaker]

As the title says, these are small, random pills of things, events, and curiosities about music itself. Obviously, anyone who wants to contribute is ALWAYS welcome.

For example: does anyone know the difference between FORTE-PIANO and PIANOFORTE?

The piano and the fortepiano are both keyboard musical instruments, but there are some important differences between them.

Forte-piano (1700-1850)

The fortepiano is the keyboard musical instrument that was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in 1709. The name "fortepiano" comes from the Italian words "forte" (strong) and "piano" (soft), which indicate the instrument's ability to produce both loud and soft sounds.

The fortepiano has the following characteristics:

- Simpler hammer action mechanism than the modern piano
- Softer and less powerful sounds than the modern piano
- Narrower keyboard with shorter keys than the modern piano

Piano (1850-present)

The modern piano is the keyboard musical instrument that was developed during the 19th century. The modern piano has undergone many innovations and improvements compared to the fortepiano, including:

- More complex and sophisticated hammer action mechanism
- More powerful and richly toned sounds than the fortepiano
- Wider keyboard with longer keys than the fortepiano

In summary, the fortepiano is the keyboard musical instrument of the 18th century, while the piano is the modern keyboard musical instrument. The fortepiano is characterized by softer sounds and a simpler action, while the modern piano has more powerful sounds and a more sophisticated action.

 

[Winemaker]

The term "legni"​

In the context of musical instruments, the term "legni" refers to one of the main families of wind instruments in the orchestra, known in English as woodwinds (the other family being the "brass" or "ottoni").

The name "woodwinds" ("legni" meaning "woods" in Italian) comes from the fact that, historically, most of these instruments were primarily made of wood. However, today this definition based on material is no longer entirely accurate, as some instruments considered woodwinds are commonly made of metal (like the flute and saxophone) or other materials.

The fundamental characteristic that unites woodwinds is the way the sound is produced:

1. Blowing across a sharp edge: As with the flute and piccolo, where the air blown by the musician splits against an edge, causing the air column inside the instrument to vibrate.
2. Through a single reed: A reed (a thin strip, usually of cane) is attached to a mouthpiece. When blown, the reed vibrates against the mouthpiece, setting the air inside the instrument in motion. Examples include the clarinet and the saxophone.
3. Through a double reed: Two reeds are tied together and vibrate against each other when the musician blows between them. Examples include the oboe, English horn, bassoon, and contrabassoon.

In summary, woodwinds ("legni") are a family of wind instruments characterized by how the air is set into vibration (across an edge or via reeds), regardless of the actual material they are made from today.

 

[Winemaker]

Alright, let's talk about BRASS Instruments in music.​

When we talk about musical instruments, 'brass instruments'—or ottoni as you'd say in Italian—are a specific family of wind instruments, technically called aerophones. Now, the main thing that defines them isn't necessarily what they're made of, even though it's usually brass or some other metal alloy. The key is how they actually produce sound.

So, here are the main points about brass instruments:

• How Sound is Made: The sound starts when the musician buzzes their lips against a mouthpiece, which is usually cup-shaped or funnel-shaped. This buzzing makes the air inside the instrument vibrate.
• The Mouthpiece: This is the part that connects the player to the instrument. Its shape and size really affect the instrument's tone, or timbre, and how easy it is to play in different ranges, or registers.
• The Material: Traditionally, and most often, they are made of brass – that's an alloy of copper and zinc – and that's where the name 'brass instruments' comes from. But, they can be made from other metal alloys, and in some historical cases or special instruments, even other materials. But remember, what really makes it a 'brass' instrument is how the sound is produced, not strictly the material itself.
• Changing the Pitch:How do players change notes? There are two main ways:
  • First, by changing how tight their lips are and how fast the air is moving. This technique is called the 'embouchure'.
  • Second, by changing the actual length of the vibrating air column inside the instrument. This is usually done with either:
    • Valves – these can be pistons that go up and down, or rotary valves that turn. When you press them, they redirect the air through extra bits of tubing of different lengths. You see this on trumpets, tubas, and French horns, for example.
    • Or a Slide – this is a movable section of the tube that the player slides in and out by hand to make the instrument longer or shorter, like on a trombone.
• The Bell: This is the flared, open end of the instrument. It's where the sound comes out, gets projected forward, and amplified. The shape and size of the bell have a big impact on the instrument's specific sound.

Common examples of brass instruments include the:

• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Tuba
• Flugelhorn
• Cornet
• Euphonium
• and the Sousaphone.

So, to sum it up, 'brass instruments' are that family of wind instruments where the sound begins with the player buzzing their lips into a mouthpiece.

 

[Winemaker]

What Percussion Means in Music, with a Specific Focus on Classical Music:​

​

Percussion in Music (General)

In general terms, "percussion" or "percussion instruments" are a broad family of musical instruments whose sound is produced by:

• Striking: Most percussion instruments are played by hitting them directly with hands, sticks, mallets, or other objects.
• Shaking: Some instruments produce sound when they are shaken (e.g., maracas, shakers).
• Scraping: Still others make sound when they are rubbed or scraped (e.g., güiro, washboard).

The fundamental characteristic is that the sound comes from the vibration of the instrument itself (idiophones, like cymbals, xylophone, triangle) or from a membrane stretched over it (membranophones, like drums, timpani).

Percussion instruments are mainly divided into two categories:

• Of definite pitch (or tunable): They produce notes of precise and defined pitch, allowing melodies and harmonies to be played. Examples: timpani, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, tubular bells.
• Of indefinite pitch (or untunable): They produce sounds whose main purpose is rhythmic or timbral, without a recognizable precise pitch. Examples: bass drum, snare drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, castanets, wood block, tam-tam, gong.

In almost all musical genres (pop, rock, jazz, folk, world music, etc.), percussion plays a crucial role in defining rhythm, tempo, adding timbral color, creating dynamics, and providing accents. The drum kit is the most common example of a set of combined percussion instruments in many modern genres.

Percussion in Classical Music

In classical music, the orchestra's percussion section has undergone significant evolution over time:

• Baroque and Classical Period: The role of percussion was very limited. Timpani were almost the only percussion instruments regularly used, primarily to reinforce harmony (often playing the tonic and dominant) and provide rhythmic emphasis. Sometimes bass drum, cymbals, and triangle were added for specific effects, such as evoking military or 'exotic' atmospheres (for example, in 'alla turca' music).
• Romantic Period: The use of percussion expanded considerably. Composers like Berlioz, Mahler, and Stravinsky began to explore the timbral and dynamic potential of a wider range of instruments. The bass drum, cymbals, snare drum, tambourine, triangle, and definite-pitch instruments like the glockenspiel and xylophone were regularly added. Percussion was used to create richer orchestral colors, dramatic effects, and greater sonic power. The timpani themselves took on a more melodic and complex role.
• 20th and 21st Century Music: This period saw an explosion in the use and importance of percussion. The percussion section became much larger and more varied, incorporating instruments from around the world and even non-traditional objects. Percussion instruments are used not only for rhythm and color, but also to create complex sound textures, special effects, and even to play melodic and harmonic parts (especially with marimba, vibraphone, etc.). Concertos for solo percussion and orchestra, and pieces for percussion-only ensembles have been written.

Role in Classical Music:

• Rhythmic foundation: Establishing and maintaining tempo, creating rhythmic patterns.
• Accentuation: Emphasizing important musical moments.
• Timbral color: Adding specific sound nuances (military, exotic, brilliant, dark, ethereal...).
• Dynamics: Contributing to crescendos, diminuendos, and strong sonic contrasts.
• Special effects: Creating particular sounds (e.g., cannon shots, distant bells).
• Melody/Harmony: (Mainly with definite-pitch instruments) Playing melodic lines or contributing to harmony.

In summary, percussion in music refers to instruments that are played by striking, shaking, or scraping. In classical music, their role evolved from limited rhythmic-harmonic support to an extremely versatile and fundamental orchestral component for rhythm, color, dynamics, and special effects.

 

[Winemaker]

String Instruments in Music​

String instruments form a family of musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of strings, usually rubbed with a bow. This family is fundamental in the symphony orchestra and chamber music, offering a wide range of expressive possibilities.

String Instruments

The main string instruments are:

• Violin: the smallest and highest-pitched of the family, with a leading melodic role.
• Viola: slightly larger than the violin, with a warmer and deeper sound.
• Cello (Violoncello): larger than the viola, with a rich and versatile sound, often used for bass lines and expressive melodies.
• Double Bass (Contrabass): the largest and lowest-pitched of the family, providing the harmonic and rhythmic foundation.

Playing Techniques

String instruments can be played in various ways, including:

• Bowing: the most common technique, where the bow is drawn across the strings to produce a continuous sound.
• Pizzicato: the strings are plucked with the fingers, producing a percussive sound.
• Harmonics: by lightly touching the strings at specific points, high-pitched and crystalline sounds are produced.
• Double and triple stops: allow multiple strings to be played simultaneously, creating chords and harmonic effects.
• Tremolo: rapid repetition of a note, creating a vibrant and intense effect.

Role in Music

Strings play a central role in many musical genres:

• Classical Music: they are the backbone of the symphony orchestra and string quartet, with a vast repertoire.
• Chamber Music: formations such as the string trio and quintet offer an intimate and refined musical experience.
• Popular Music: they are used in various genres, from folk to pop, to add warmth and depth to the sound.
• Jazz: the double bass is essential for the rhythm section, while the violin can be used for solos and improvisations.
• Soundtracks: strings are often used to create emotional and dramatic atmospheres in films.

String instruments are incredibly versatile and expressive, capable of evoking a wide range of emotions and adapting to different musical contexts.

 

[Winemaker]

Keyboard instruments and how a pipe organ is different​

Okay, so 'keyboard instruments' is just a general term for any musical instrument where you press keys to make sound. This covers a whole bunch of stuff, like:

• Pianos: where little hammers hit strings.
• Harpsichords: where the strings get plucked.
• Electronic organs: which make sounds electronically and blast them through speakers.
• Synthesizers: which also make sounds electronically, but you can really mess with them to create all sorts of crazy sounds.
• Accordions: those squeeze-box things where air goes over metal reeds, and they've got buttons and keys.
• Celestas: they're like a glockenspiel but with a keyboard – little hammers hit metal plates.

Now, a pipe organ is a whole different beast compared to all that. The big difference is how it makes sound. Instead of hitting strings or using electronics, a pipe organ works by blowing air through a whole bunch of pipes – like, tons of them, in all different sizes and made of different stuff like metal or wood.

Think of it this way:

• How it makes sound: Most keyboard instruments either hit or pluck strings, or they use electronic circuits. But a pipe organ uses actual air blowing through pipes. That's the main thing.
• The sound itself: The sound you get from a pipe organ depends on the shape and what the pipes are made of. Each 'stop' or 'register' on the organ is a different set of pipes with its own unique sound – like a flute sound, a trumpet sound, even something that sounds a bit like a voice. You can mix and match these sounds. Other keyboard instruments can make different sounds too, especially synths, but they don't have that same natural richness and complexity that a pipe organ has built right in.
• Loud and soft: On a piano, you hit the keys harder to make it louder. On a harpsichord, it's pretty much the same volume all the time. But on a traditional pipe organ, you don't really control the volume by how hard you press the keys. Instead, there are expression pedals you use with your feet to make it louder or softer overall, or for certain sections of the organ. Some newer organs might have touch-sensitive keys, but that's not the norm.
• Holding the sound: A pipe organ can hold a note for as long as you keep the key down because the air keeps flowing. A piano's sound fades away naturally. You need the sustain pedal to keep it going.
• Multiple keyboards and foot pedals: A lot of pipe organs have more than one keyboard for your hands (they call them manuals), and each one controls different sets of sounds. Plus, they've got a pedalboard – a keyboard you play with your feet! This lets the organist play bass lines and add even more sounds. Most other keyboard instruments just have one keyboard (though some rare pianos have two).
• Size and how complicated it is: Pipe organs can be huge, from little portable ones to massive things with thousands of pipes. The inside mechanics can be super complicated, with all sorts of ways the keys connect to the valves that let air into the pipes. Other keyboard instruments are usually smaller and simpler inside.
• The music and where you find them: Pipe organs have been around for ages, especially in churches, but you also hear them in concert halls. There's a whole lot of music written specifically for the pipe organ that takes advantage of its unique sounds and the fact that you can play multiple lines of music at once with your hands and feet.

So basically, while a pipe organ has a keyboard like a piano or a synth, the way it makes sound with air and pipes, the huge range of natural sounds it can create, how you control the volume, the ability to hold notes forever, and those extra keyboards and foot pedals make it a really special and different kind of keyboard instrument.

 

[somebodyelse]

Another difference with pipe organs - there is often a significant delay between pressing the key and hearing the note.

 

[Sal1950]

Ah, the title of your thread attracted me as I thought it somehow related to the pills a musician might take to get a desired buzz going.