UNIT 3: MUSICAL PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES
Key unit competence:Be able to sing respecting the performance techniques
Musical performance techniques are steps in the musical process during
which musical ideas are realized and transmitted to a listener. Performers
to some degree determine aspects of any music they play. Issues of tempo,
phrasing, dynamics, and, in some types of music, pitches and instrumentation
are subject to a performer’s discretion. In this unit, different techniques are
discussed, such as: Tempo, Dynamics, Articulation marks and repeat marks.3.1. Tempo
Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music is to be played. Tempo
is measured in beats per minute or BPM. So if we talk about a piece of music
being “at 120 BPM,” we mean that there are 120 beats (pulses) every minute.
Some types of musical patterns have a very clear underlying beat, while othershave a more subtle or implied one. To hear a steady beat, add notes on the Kick
Tempo can also be indicated by using the Italian words to approximate the
speed. Some of them are shown in the following table:
They can be shown as follows:
Additional terms
A piecere= (also known as ad libitum in Latin) the performer may take
liberties with regard to tempo and rhythm; literary at pleasure.
Gradual change in tempo
Often a tempo will change gradually. Gradual accelerations or decelerations intempo are indicated by:
Terms used to indicate simultaneous reduction of speed (tempo) and volume.
3.2. Dynamics
Both dynamics and tempo direct the performer or conductor during music
performance to which speed or loudness a piece of music is to be performed.
The following combinations are possible, going from softest toloudest:
Those dynamics can be shown in the following table with their relative velocity
and voice
Words used to indicate changes in dynamics. These are qualified terms used to
indicate the mood, degree intensity or style.
3.3. Articulations
In music, articulation refers to the musical direction performance technique
which affects the transition or continuity on a single note, or, sometimes—they
(articulations) mark the strength of individual notes. They can be placed above
or below the notes.
Below are some of the articulations we use in music:
Slur is a symbol indicating that two or more notes it embraces are to be playedor sung without separation. These notes are played in legato style.
Tie is a curved line that joins two notes of the same pitch
Staccato is the opposite of legato. Staccato means short, detached, method of
playing or singing a note, usually half the value performed note.
Staccatissimo means the note is to be performed very short comparing to
staccato. It is an exaggerated staccato. Usually applied to crotchets (quarternotes) or shorter.
Accent means play or sing the note louder, it must be most pronounced but
held for its full value.
Marcato indicate that the note should be played louder or more forcefully than
surrounding notes.
Tenuto hold the note for its full value or give a slight emphasis to the note.
Legato indicate that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected.
Usually a slur join these notes.
Fermata means hold the note for approximately twice as long as its normal
value. It is usually used at the end of a piece of music or at the end of a section.
3.4. Repeat signs
Repeat signs are used to direct the performer to which section of the music
should be repeated.
Two dots before a double bar form a repeat sign. If a repeat sign occurs at the
end of the piece, it indicates that you should repeat the entire piece of music
once from the beginning up to the end.
When you encounter a repeat sign in the middle of a piece, you have to play/
sing up to the repeat sign and then go back to the beginning and repeat thesection before going on.
3.4.1. Inverted repeat
To play the inverted repeat, you play to the original repeat, then you go back to
the inverted repeat and play/sing to the end. In the example below the inverted
repeat sign means that you should skip the first measure when you repeat the
piece.
3.4.2. Alternate Endings (1st and 2nd ending)
A bracket and number are used to show the performer that there are multiple
endings for a piece of music. You should play/sing though the first ending, and
then return to the beginning. Then play/sing through the piece again skipping
the first ending; play/sing the second ending until the end. Third and higherending are also possible.
3.4.3. Da Capo (D.C.)
Da Capo (abbreviated D.C.) means go back to the beginning of the piece and
repeat.
To perform a D.C, you play/sing until you reach to D.C. then go back to thebeginning then you play/sing from there until the end of music.
3.4.4. Da Capo al Coda (D.C. al Coda)
To perform ‘Da Capo al Coda (D.C. al Coda)’ play/sing until you reach D.C. al
Coda , go back to the beginning and play to the Coda sign; then skip, and
play the CODA (a short ending section).
3.4.5. Da Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine)
To perform Da Capo al Fine (D.C. al Fine), you play/sing until you reach D.C. al
Fine and then go back to the beginning and play through to the mark Fine itselfsignifying END or ENDING.
3.4.6. Dal segno
To perform Dal Segno, play/sing until you reach D.S. then go back to the sign,then from there, continue playing to the end.
