Sound, Silence, and Noise in Music
Sound, Silence, and Noise
Music, with its throbbing rhythms, is created by humans, who possess rhythm, expression, and the ability to imitate.
Music is sound, and the absence of sound is silence. Sound is created by air vibrations reaching the eardrum, which our brain interprets. Vibrations with regular frequencies are perceived as sound, while irregular vibrations are perceived as noise. Today, many composers, across various styles, incorporate noise into their music, including electronic music. Acoustic noise can be considered a pollutant, unlike sound, which is not.
Sound Parameters
Acoustics, a branch of physics, studies sound. Within music, we find elements characterized by four parameters or qualities of sound. When pitch is combined with duration, we create a melody. When pitch is combined with the intensity of simultaneous sounds, we create harmony (vertical).
| Characteristic | Definition | Physical Phenomenon | Musical Expression |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height/Pitch | Characterized by high and low sounds | Frequency: the number of vibrations per second | Staff, key, scale notes |
| Duration | Length of a sound or silence; can be long, short, slow, or fluid. | Sustainability of the wave | Figures, silence, bars, tempo, extension symbols |
| Intensity/Volume | Creates loud and soft sounds | Wave amplitude | Nuances, regulators |
| Timbre | Distinguishes one voice or instrument from another. | Combination of fundamental harmonic sound and overtones | Voice, instrument families of the orchestra |
The First Musical Instrument is the Voice
Primitive man’s first musical instrument was his voice. Used for communication, imitation of surrounding sounds, and tribal rituals, singing often served ceremonial or magical purposes. Songs originated from speech. When singing, remember to breathe deeply. Air is the source of the human voice. Controlled breathing exercises (arnaz) are crucial for singing or playing wind instruments, allowing us to measure the air intake and avoid sudden interruptions. Speak, vocalize, and amplify your voice. Correct pronunciation is essential for singing. It ensures clarity and allows the message to be understood. The roles of voice and words differ in singing.
Echo (Ohiartzuna) is the phenomenon where sound returns to its original location after encountering barriers and obstacles.
Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments are numerous and varied. Some have been known since antiquity, used for communication between peoples or for magical purposes. They are used in folk, traditional, and modern symphonic music, especially in the 20th century.
Unpitched Percussion Pitched Percussion Wood Whip, claves, castanets, wood block, guiro Xylophone, marimba Metal Triangle, cymbals, rattles, crotales, chimes Metallophone, carillon Membrane Tambourine, drums, snare drum Bongos, timpani The Body as a Percussion Instrument
Our body can be used as a sound resource. Singing and dancing often incorporate body percussion. There are numerous ways to express sound with the body; the most important include: finger snapping, clapping, and stomping or striking the thighs or knees.