Organology

Objectives

a) To acquire knowledge on the essential functioning principles of music instruments throughout the various periods of the History of Western Music;
b) To learn to contextualize the sound identity of the different groups of instruments (idiophones; membranophones; chordophones, aerophones and electrophones);
c) To familiarize oneself with the instruments of the different historical periods from Greek and Roman Antiquity to our own day;
d) To fathom the application of criteria for establishing a systematic division of music instruments;
e) To be able to conduct bibliographical research in order to prepare the critical reading of studies and monographies in the relevant scientific area.

General characterization

Code

711021081

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Rui Magno da Silva Pinto

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

None

Bibliography

Bovermann, T. & altri (2016) Musical Instruments in the 21st Century: Identities, Configurations, Practices. New York: Springer.


Campbell, D. M. & altri (2004). Musical Instruments, History, Technology, and Performance of Instruments of Western Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.


Hagel, S. (2009). Ancient Greek Music. A New Technicak History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


Henrique, L. (2004). Instrumentos musicais. Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (3ª ed.).


Kartomi, M. (1990). On Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments. Chicago: Chicago University Press.


Mathiesen, T. (1999). Apollo's Lyre. Greek Music and Music Theory in Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.


Michels, U. (2003, 2007). Atlas de Música, 2 vols. Lisboa: Gradiva.


Montagu, J. (1976). The World of Medieval and Renaissance Musical Instruments. London: David & Charles.


Montagu, J. (1979), The World of Baroque and Classical Musical Instruments. New York: The Overlook Press


Montagu, J. (1981), The World of Romantic and Modern Musical Instruments. London: David & Charles.

Teaching method

The course is divided into 60% theoretical and 40% practical classes which are established in a plan where their respective subjects are defined beforehand. Theoretical classes are dedicated to the exposition of the subjects defined in the programmatic contents, with space allowed for discussion and questions by the students. Systematic use is made of Powerpoint presentations with images, videos and music recordings. Practical classes are reserved for the critical reading of texts, practical demonstrations of instruments, study visits and evaluation moments.

Evaluation method

A written test (usually taken in mid-semester) - 50.0% -


an oral test (at the end) - 50.0%.

Subject matter

1. Organology, scope and methodologies. Taxonomies of musical instruments from the Antiquity to the 20th century. The classification systems of Mahillon, Galpin and Hornbostel and Sachs and the MIMO revision.


2. From the Antiquity to the Middle Ages: problems of characterization and terminology of musical instruments.


3. The proliferation of new instruments during the Renaissance. Families and consorts: winds, strings and percussion. The organ and the keyboard chordophones. Tunings


4.The Baroque period and the improvement of the string, wind and percussion instruments, for orchestras and windbands. The invention of the piano and its developments in the main musical centers.


5. The 19th century as a period of massification and the resulting changes in music instruments. Mechanical and free-reed instruments


6. The scientific and technological advances of the 20th century and the development of electrophones.


7. Musical instruments manufacture and industry in Portugal.


 

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: