AoS2: Music for Ensemble
Overview
Develop knowledge of different types of ensembles and be able to identify key features of these in relation to the musical elements with a focus on sonority and texture. This topic includes the study of chamber music, musical theatre, jazz and blues.
Example Key Words
Chamber Music
Music intended for a small group of performers, usually with one musician per part e.g. string quartet
Musical Theatre
A musical play or drama in which singing, acting and dance play an important part.
Jazz
A genre originating in New Orleans in the early 20th Century. Important features of jazz music include improvisation, complex harmonies and syncopation
Blues
A genre originating in the Southern United States in the 19th Century. Important features include the blues scale and 12 bar blues structure
Texture
How different musical parts in a piece are layered and interact with each other
Ensemble
A group of musicians who perform together