LEARNING RESOURCE

SPA - MUSIC

MUSIC THEORY:
Timbre
Grade 8 – Quarter 1
LEARNING RESOURCE for MUSIC

MUSIC THEORY
Timbre
Grade 8 Quarter 1

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Development Team of the Learning Resource

Writers: Dennesse Abigail F. Nadal
Arvin Manuel R. Villalon
Anthony Ryan T. Cruz
Editor: Jose S. Soliman, Jr.
Cover Illustrator: William Matawaran
Layout Artist: Arvin Manuel R. Villalon
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Tanya P. Lopez (PerfLab)

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 FOREWORD

Welcome to this Learning Resource for Music.

This Learning Resource was developed by experts from the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts as a reference to aid you in developing rich, meaningful, and empowering
learning in the creative fields. Every effort has been exerted to produce a Self-Learning
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or competence. We hope that you will find these activities challenging but empowering, and
that your potential as a Filipino artist and Creative is further enhanced and inspired.

These Learning Resources take into consideration the various limitations and challenges
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mentorship is expected and encouraged throughout the learning process.

We look forward to your journey as an artist, MABUHAY!

 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Good day, users! In this Learning Resource, another basic element of Music will be
introduced, specifically Timbre. Various musical concepts and components that will be
discussed will enable us to broaden our knowledge in theory and apply it in performance
practice, analysis, improvisation, and composition.

The topics included in this Learning Resource is a continuation of the discussions on Basic
Music Theory.

At the end of this Learning Resource, you will be able to:

Demonstrate how timbre are used to create music.

Analyze selected musical pieces and identify various instruments in a piece.

The Learning Resource may be used for, and is applicable to, the following DepEd Codes:

SPA_MIM7-IVa-1
 TOPIC 1
TIMBRE
Timbre (pronounced as tam-ber) or also known as tone color/ tone quality is the
characteristic quality of sound produced by an instrument or voice
(https://www.dictionary.com/browse/timbre). It is what differentiates two sounds of the same
volume. For example, even if a guitarist, a pianist, or flutist play their instruments on the
same pitch, say for example that of C, the sound that each of their instruments would differ
because of the timbre.

The element of timbre is called called color for a visual artist. Hence we describe what we
hear as bright, dull , shrill, etc. The different sounds coming from different sources account
for the diversity and complexity of music. So why is it that two instruments , although of the
same pitch seem to sound different? It is because of other properties from which the sound
emanates. For example a flute sounds airy and light while a glockenspiel may sound
percussive and light as well.

In physics, sound timbre can be defined by its characteristic waveform

(https://byjus.com/physics/timbre/). The picture below shows an example of the different
waveforms for each of the instrument:

So when you put together for example a flute, violin and the voice from a singer,
even if they play or sing on the same pitch, the listener hear different “qualities of sound”.
 TOPIC 2
TIMBRE IN VOICE

It is important for us to know the different timbre specifically in the classification of voices and
instruments. First, let’s focus on the different voice classification because it is the tool to
identify the voice type of a singers, and it can also help the composers to categorize the
vocal properties and to associate the roles of the singers. These classifications are
commonly used in choirs. Below are the common vocal ranges:

Soprano Female’s high voice

Alto Female’s low voice
Tenor Male’s high voice
Bass Male’s low voice

For children, regardless of sex they can be assigned to the soprano or alto section.

These are the vocal ranges written in staff:

For better understanding of this topic, you may watch a video by clicking the link or scanning
the QR code below:

https://youtu.be/mkKsB3fpMH4
 TOPIC 3
TIMBRE IN INSTRUMENTS:
HORNBOSTEL-SACHS SYSTEM

Voices have different types which is discussed in topic 1. Now, let us proceed to the
classification of the different acoustic musical instruments using the Hornbostel-sachs
system. This system was developed by 2 (two) musicologists, Curt Sachs and Erich Moritz
von Hornbostel. Their teamwork led them to create a classification system for musical
instruments used all over the world. Below are the musical classification in this system:

Idiophones

Idiophones are musical instruments which create sound by the vibration coming from the
material itself. Examples of solid materials used in such instruments are hard plastics,
woodblocks, and metal alloys. Idiophones are further divided into struck idiophones or
plucked idiophones.

Membranophones

Membranophones are musical instruments that uses a vibrating stretched membranes or

skin to produce sound. Membranophones are classified to how the instrument is used to
produce sound.
Chordophones

Chordophones produce sound by means of a stretched vibrating string. When a string

vibrates, the resonator picks up that vibration and amplifies it giving it a more appealing and
louder sound.

Chordophones also have subcategories depending on how the strings are played – bowing,
plucked and strucked. Examples of chordophone instruments played by bowing are double
bass, violin, and viola. Examples of chordophones instruments that are played
by plucking are banjo, guitar, harp, mandolin, and ukulele while piano, dulcimer, and the
clavichord are examples of chordophones that are struck.

Aerophones

Aerophones produce sound by vibrating a column of air. These are commonly known
as wind instruments.
Electrophones

Electrophones are musical instruments that

produce sound electronically or produce its
initial sound traditionally and then are
electronically amplified. Some examples of
instruments that produce sound electronically
are electronic organs, theremins, and
synthesizers. Traditional instruments which
are electronically amplified include electric
guitars and electric pianos.

Quick review:

Hornbostel-Sachs Classification Description

Idiophones These are the instruments that produces a
sound though a vibrating materials. (e.g.,
bells, clappers, xylophones, marimba, rattles,
cymbals, etc.)

Membranophones These are the instruments that produces a

sound from the vibration of a stretched skin.
(e.g., bongos, congos, caja, etc.)

Chordophones These are the instruments that produces a

sound through a vibrating strings. (e.g.,
guitar, violin, harps, lutes, etc.)

Aerophones These are the instruments that produces a

sound through an air. (e.g., flute, horn,
trumpet, trombone, etc.)

Electrophones These are the instruments that produces a

sound through an electricity. Without it, an
instrument will not be functioning. (e.g.,
electric piano, electric drums, electric guitar,
etc.)
Take a look at the different instruments played in an orchestra and classify these according
to the Hornbostel-Sachs system. The orchestra is arranged in “families” such as strings,
woodwinds, brass, and percussion. What do you think is the relation of the placement of the
instrument to timbre?

Photocredits: classicsforkids.com

Listen to the Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, op.34 by Benjamin Britten. It features
the different families of the orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVRn3q3fEw

To know more about Hornbostel-Sachs System, you may watch a video by clicking the link or
scan the QR code below.

https://youtu.be/bMdbRZOnaA0
The succeeding section will feature the various families and the instruments under these.

Strings Family – are instruments classified under chordophones. Its basic structure is a
sounding board and a string. It can be played either by plucking or using a bow.

Violin

The highest pitched member of the string instrument family. It

has a shallow wooden body, four strings that are tuned with
pegs, and it is played with a bow.

Viola

Slightly larger than the violin, this member of the string family
has a hollow wooden body, four strings that are tuned with
pegs, and is played with a bow. It sounds a fifth lower than a
violin.
.
Cello

A stringed instrument that is double the length of a violin and

deeper from front to back. It has four strings, is held between
the knees, and is supported on the floor with a metal peg. It is
played with a bow and has a tone that is much lower and more
mellow than a violin.

Double Bass

The largest and lowest-pitched instrument in the string family.

The double bass rests on the floor on a metal peg; double bass
players often stand when they perform.

Harp

This string instrument dates back to pre-historic times. The

modern harp has a large triangular frame with strings stretched
vertically across the triangle. The strings are graduated in
length from longest/lowest pitches to shortest/highest and there
are pedals that can be used to raise the pitch of each string by
half steps. The sound is created by plucking the strings with
fingers.
There are other members of the strings family. The instruments shown are those commonly
used in an orchestra. The other instruments of the orchestra will be discussed in the next
topic

TOPIC 3
THE SYMPHONIC BAND

A symphonic band is also called as concert band or wind ensemble. It is a

performing ensemble that has three (sections): the woodwind, the brass, and the percussion.
The music that are always played by this kind of band are original compositions, but some
pieces that are written in a solo instrument (like piano) are also transcribed for them. There
are also pieces that were arranged for this kind of band like your listening track the activity
above.

Here in the Philippines, we have several symphonic bands that are very historical
and one of this is the Banda Uno Malaya Inc. of Taytay Rizal. It is one of the oldest bands in
the Philippines, founded in 1875 by Daniel Naval. National Artist, Lucio San Pedro, became
its conductor and they won 1st prize in CCP during the first band contest in the Philippines.
Other famous symphonic bands in our country include the UP Symphonic Band, Angono
National Symphonic Band, Banda Dos of Taytay among others. There are symphonic bands
in Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, Batangas and other parts of the country.

As mentioned, symphonic bands have three sections; let’s define each section
and the instruments that are included there.

Woodwind Family – The instruments in this family of instruments are played by blowing the
reed.

Flute

A small, cylindrical woodwind instrument, usually made of silver,

that is held sideways to the mouth.

Piccolo

A small flute that sounds an octave higher than a regular flute.

Clarinet

A woodwind instrument consisting of a black cylindrical tube that

has a mouthpiece with a single reed at one end, and a bell at the
other end.

Oboe

A woodwind instrument made of a conical tube with a double reed

stuck into the top.

Bassoon

This long, narrow woodwind instrument has a double reed.

Bassoons play the low notes in the woodwind family.

Alto saxophone

It is pitched in Eb, and is smaller than the tenor sax, but larger than
the soprano sax.

Tenor saxophone

The tenor sax is pitched in the key of Bb. It is bigger than the alto
saxophone.
Brass Family – The instruments in this family got its name from the material used in making
these instruments- brass.

Trumpet

A brass instrument with a cup-shaped mouthpiece and a metal

tube with a bell-shaped end.

Trombone

A brass wind instrument with a cup mouthpiece and a long

metal tube. A moveable U-shaped slide changes the length of the
tube, which changes the pitch of the instrument.

French horn

A brass wind instrument with a conical tube that's bent into a

circle, a funnel shaped mouthpiece, and a wide bell.

Tuba

The largest and lowest brass instrument, with a mouthpiece

and a big bell-shaped opening to a tube that is wrapped around in an
oval.
Percussion Family – Some percussion instruments make a sound by being hit, like drums;
while some are shaken, like the maracas. Bells resonate when hit. This also have 2
classifications, the pitched percussion and unpitched percussion.

Bass drum

The largest drum. It stands upright and is hit on the side. It is

used in both orchestras and marching bands.

Cymbals

A percussion instrument consisting of two round metal plates

that create classing sounds when struck together. A single cymbal
can also be struck with a stick.

Snare drum

A small double-sided drum with skin pulled tight over the top
and bottom.

Timpani

The player uses a pedal to tighten and loosen the drumhead to

change the pitch. The only drum that can be tuned to produce definite
pitches.

Xylophone/Marimba

A percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned

wooden bars arranged like a piano keyboard, with a
hollow tube under each bar. Each bar gives off a different
pitch when struck with a mallet.
 TOPIC 4
THE RONDALLA

Rondalla instruments are classified under CHORDOPHONES. The main instruments

of the rondalla are the banduria, octavina, laud, guitar, and bajo or else the upright
bass. In some cases, a piccolo bandurria is added for music that requires higher
tones; a mandola for lower tones.

Piccolo banduria

The piccolo makes the highest tone in the rondalla. It

plays melodies, counterparts, and tackles different types
of melodic embellishments.

Banduria

This is the mainstay instrument in the rondalla. It excels

both in number and in the roles played in the group. It
plays the principal melody as well as a variety of
ornamental musical lines.

Laud

In terms of natural sound and the parts played, the laud

is almost the same as the octavina.
 Octavina

Traditionally the octavina plays counterparts and serves

as filler in the harmony. Today it also plays the melody
in full or in part for special effect or variety.

Mandola

The mandola plays it notes in the lower register. It

enhances and complements the low tones of the
octavina or the laud.

Guitar

The guitar serves chiefly as accompaniment in the

rondalla. It helps maintain the rhythm and supports the
blending of tones in the group.

Double bass

The bass serves as the pulse that controls the rhythmic

flow of the music. It creates the low and deep tones that
broaden the range of sound of the instruments.

Listen to various rondalla groups play in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists
(NAMCYA) 2019 concert of winners and appreciate the different sounds created from the
different instruments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idu5iPLDJ3A
Timbre can also be explored in indigenous instruments. The jaw harp or the kubing
(Talaandig, Mangyan) or kullibaw (Kalinga) is an example of an idiophone.

Photocredit: www.flickr.com

Listen to how the kubing is played:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRqAmzRpFk

To know more about Philippine indigenous instrument visit the NCCA Learning Portal for
Grade 9 first quarter.
You must have realized the importance of timbre. Timbre or tone color makes music more
varied. Sound color can also account for emotions. For example, a fiddle (a stringed
instrument) is associated with merry-making while the bugle when played in military funeral
ceremony is assoicated with death. Timbre in voice is much more complex than voice
classification in a choir. For example, a raspy, sultry voice of an alto singer is often used in
jazz renditions. A boy soprano, with its airy, light tones deliver the message of prayer to God
and hence the role of the children’s choir in liturgical celebrations. Of course, the other
elements of music also add to how emotions are portrayed. Therefore timbre as an element
is a recognition of the diversity of sounds that humans and nature create to convey a
message through the art of music.

Photo credit: www.flickr.com

Photo credit: www.rappler.com

Photo credit: www.azamba.com

Las Pinas Children’s Choir

Photo credit: www.ellentordesilla.com
Activity 1:
Instructions: Try to listen to “Beethoven Choral Fantasy” on YouTube. Identify the different
instruments and voices used. You may click the link or scan the QR code below. Write your
answer in a sheet of paper.

https://youtu.be/8AXnA7-TD4Q

Activity 2:
Instructions: Find at least 3 titles of a piece with composer’s name that was played by a
symphonic band.

TITLE OF PIECE COMPOSER

SOURCES:

https://www.classicsforkids.com/music/instruments.php?family=Woodwind

http://thevault.musicarts.com/alto-tenor-sax-similarities-differences/

https://www.liveabout.com/classification-of-musical-instruments-2456710

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/timbre

https://byjus.com/physics/timbre/

AUDIO RESOURCES:

https://youtu.be/8AXnA7-TD4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVRn3q3fEw

https://youtu.be/bMdbRZOnaA0

https://youtu.be/mkKsB3fpMH4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idu5iPLDJ3A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRqAmzRpFk

PHOTO CREDITS: Accessed October 4, 2021

https://scifab.pubpub.org/pub/79gprz2g/release/1

https://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3560856061/_b.jpg#id=0&iurl=https%3A%2F%2F2.zoppoz.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fc2.
staticflickr.com%2F4%2F3642%2F3560856061_20a83080d0_b.jpg&action=click

http://www.azamba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/fiddler-playing-the-violin-m.jpg

https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/jaya-kapamilya-its-showtime-tawag-ng-tanghalan