The Dynamic World Of Articulations

Hi! This week we covered dynamics and articulations. Exercises for this are hard because it's basically just memorizing a couple things. So let's try some listening. The best way to learn this stuff is to apply it to music you already like.

1) Pick a song you know. Try to pick one that isn't just one dynamic throughout. Listen to the whole thing and make note of where the dynamics change. What dynamic does it start in? What does it go to? Is it a gradual change? Sudden? If you were writing a chart, how would you notate it? The better you understand what you're hearing, the better you can apply those ideas.

2) Now let's try articulations. Our three forms of articulation are tenuto, staccato, and legato. Listen to some songs you like and try to identify examples of all three. It can be hard sometimes to tell the difference between tenuto and legato, but really try to hear if there are multiple attacks being played at once.

3) Experiment with these on your own. If you have an instrument, try playing with different dynamics. Try moving back and forth between them, and try articulating differently as you do. If you don't have an instrument, try drumming on a surface, or singing to yourself. (If you're not confident in your singing voice, humming works too!) Just try to make something musical with dynamics and articulations.

And that's it! Put your answers in the comments below or on the video, and we'll see you next week!

Cadences: The End Is Nigh

Hi! Cadences! Phrases! Endings! Exercises! Put your answers in the comments below or on the video!

1) Identify the following cadences. Remember to look at the key signature. (I gave you the first couple keys. And I was nice and made them all major, but these are equally valid in minor.)

2) Let's look at perfect authentic cadences. Below are some 4-part examples of authentic cadences, Tell me if they're perfect. If you can't read music that may be tricky, but there should still be some hints you can grab on to. Give it a shot!

3) Finally, let's cover phrases. What are your thoughts on the antecedent/consequent model? What are some ways you can think of besides harmony to create that effect? Listen to some songs you enjoy and see if they follow that dynamic. If so, how? If not, why not?

And that's cadences! We'll see you next time!