Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction:
Some of you may have this dilemma in mind. However, for others, they may have a
glimpse of what art means to them because they may be skillful at some techniques
,but have you ever had this lingering curiosity about how and where does one begin to
study art? In the age of Instagram and Facebook, it is very easy to come across a work
of art which is made, remade, or reused to fit a certain purpose or value. You must
have pressed that “like” or “ love” button as you deem a graphic et al post so relatable.
YouTube offers lots of tutorials and techniques for painting, calligraphy, watercolor, lots
of young artists have been exposed to a wide range of art techniques because of them.
Art and information is now within our reach. There are so many sources available to
learn from. The downside of this quick information is that it is very scattered. We do
not know which to prioritize and are unsure if we are getting the right information. Art
appreciation on the other hand, is a discipline offered in an academic setting but
probably less likely to be consumed here in this country. However, it is has in strength:
its premise being in the academe. To direct our often ambivalent feelings toward art, let
us learn and discuss it from which, I believe is a good starting point; you. The
beginning of this chapter is about understanding the functions of art in relation to your
context, your needs and your longings as a person in the context of the millennial age.
The rest progresses from this starting point.
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MODULE HUMANITIES: ART APPRECIATION
LESSON 1: What is Art to Me?: Understanding How Art can Meet Some Human Needs
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Culture and togetherness- Lastly, forms of art are often localized so that they
bring identity also to certain regions. This is very evident here in the Philippines
,which is geographically separated by thousands of islands-we are very
regionalized. In a way, there is a sense of redemption for the past weakness of
Philippines when the Spaniards strategized the divide and conquer method. Do you
remember the national costume of Miss Universe 2019? Here ,we see how reigning
queen Catriona Gray wore the whole Philippines symbolically uniting us through her
Luzon- Visayas - Mindanao inspired national costume.
ELEMENTS OF ART
- are the formal or tangible aspects of art. These are termed as elements because they
are the “ medium of language” of visual arts. The following are art elements.
Shape- Three basic kinds: geometric, biomorphic and amorphous. It can also be
implied (shapes produced by the negative space.
Form- Three -dimensional shape. Can refer to the quality or likeness of an entire
mass, let us say, the form of woman. It employs several techniques like shading,
perspective and lightning.
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Light- Without light ,all the previous elements will not be possible. Light creates
the illusion that color ,form and texture exist. Light can be implied, natural, or
artificial. The lightning of an artwork has a very strong effect on its overall impact.
An example of strong and theatrical lightning is called chiaroscuro.
Space - an area where the other elements can interact. Two types: positive and
negative space. Double negative space refers to a blank space used as negative
space by, let us say, a field of color or pigment.
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Principles of Design -are long held composition techniques which have been proven
and used by both fine and graphic artists to communicate ideas and concepts
effectively.
Psychology in Art
Relating art to how the brain receives and interprets symbols and images can
benefit one‟s decision in effective composition and visual communication.Art in this
way,is of a method psychology and in understanding how people perceive
images,create meaning and connect those meanings together.
Gestalt Theory - this strategy tends to “sum up” an idea into one iconic imagery. It
often plays with the negative and positive space and makes use of both.
a. A half circle - often used in domes for some classical paintings and even modern
architecture symbolizes femininity because of its womb- like shape. Since it has no
corners it also resonates eternity. Socialism in art has a different connotation for the
circle , which states about people‟s equality.
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Prehistoric
- Cave paintings , Venus figurines which are considered portable sculptures
- Greek standard of beauty, the birth of the “ Classical Age”
- Romans ,the competitor of Greece ,created realistic sculptures of human figure
Middle Ages
- The death of artistic freedom due to canonical standards of visual interpretation
- The rise of Gothic art especially in Gothic Churches
- Popular Art, stained glass windows and illuminated manuscripts
Renaissance
- Revival of artistic genius
- Where the term “ Renaissance Man” was derived because of man‟s intellectual
achievements in the arts and science
- The time of “Masters” e.g. Donatello, Da Vinci, Michelangelo. Raphael and Van Eyck
Baroque
- Grandiose and ornate art
- Artistic innovation: “ spotlight effect” called chiaroscuro or in extreme usage ,it is
called tennebrism
- Artists to note : Caravaggio (Italy), Velasquez( Spain) Poussin ( France) and Antonio
Gaudi (designer of “Sagrada Familia” chapel in Barcelona)
19th Century
- Emergence of “isms”
- Neoclassicism , Greek and Roman Classics revived
- Romanticism ,Realism, Art Nouveau, Impressionism
- Photography comes into the scene
- Post- impressionism, early expressionism and symbolism
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What is method?
Think of methods as filters that help you appreciate aspects of art in different lenses.
There are some” filters” that are more effective that others,especially when we talk
about context and context.
1. Formalism and Style - basically gives importance to the formal qualities ( art
elements, materials and design principles) as basis for the meaning of art. Roger Fry is
a major purveyor of this thinking. The form is the content per se and does not take
history and context into account.
2. Iconography - focuses on the subject matter primarily over form. When using this
method you will answer questions like; who is this person the artist painted and what
does it represent? Why did the artist choose this image and what for?
4. Biography and Autobiography - considers the life and context of the artist. This
approach is based on the assumption that the artist‟s life, beliefs, choices, and
personality are directly connected to the works that he or she creates.
5. Semiotics - from the greek word word “ sema” which means sign. Hence, an artwork
or art form is assumed to be composed of a set of signs that may have significant
cultural and contextual meanings beyond itself.
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Why did Van Gogh dedicate so much of his life to the future achievements of art? His
presence is now often seen in restaurant interiors in the web and even on novelty
items. The price of his works has skyrocketed to millions of dollars . His renowned, and
a favorite of most “ Starry Night” rings a bell to a lot of people.
Inclusivity of Artists
We came to realize how artists are also subject to human frailties. There is Chuck
Close‟s paralysis , Van Gogh‟s mental health condition and Jackson Pollock‟s problem
with chronic drinking which caused his death.
Hans Prinzhorn produced a book about the Artistry of the Mentally III. This is a good
contribution to the vision of dignifying people with mental disabilities or incapacities.
When we are trying to critique an artwork a lot of things should be taken nto
consideration and in this regard the reason why it was made. Finding an answer to this
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can give more value and meaning to a work of art. We will not just easily dismiss it as
boring or grotesque.
What is taste? We Filipinos often associate this with dating. When we see a friend of
ours with a girlfriend or boyfriend who has good looks and even good background, we
can easily mutter, You have good taste. But this is not the kind of taste we are
interested in. Yes it can be applied to that, but taste it more concerned with our choices
of consumption; what we spend our time, our money, and our efforts on.
In our tastes, what do we value? The things we value, do they make the quality of our
lives better- mentally, emotionally, physically, economically, and even spiritually? Later
on, when you graduate from college and start earning money, you will instantly become
a market so many things. Wise expenditure or spending our money wisely is quite rare
these days. Reflect on these words by author Alian de Boton.
But how we should know which to value and in this sense, how to value art works and
products of our culture? Hence, we can start to understand the role of Art Critics.
These people who use writing as a means of communication are trained in seeing and
looking at works of art and judging their value based on a good set of premises.
Sometimes they are also art connoisseurs. Art Critics help us understand and
supplement our knowledge of art forms. With their indispensable role, we can better
evaluate our tastes and even be wiser in what we consume not only in art but life in
general.
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Introduction
Philippine art in general is poignant, romantic, and even nostalgic. Before we
were influenced by Westerns, we were already developing our own sets of culture
and values. During the colonial period, gradually we became infused by foreign
influence. In a way, it is quite saddening how the good heritage of old Filipino
manners, ethics, and even cultural markers like our own “ baybayin” were
superimposed by newer trends. Most of us, especially in our generation, cultivated
the idea that old fashioned is old school. Even the beautiful way of courtship is gone
in the mist of the past: no more haranas and fewer dalagang Filipinas. Philippine art,
on the other hand, has been conscious of these changes and has become a way to
reminisce and remember our old virtues and rich roots. That is why it is very
important to study Philippine art. It is part of our identity and that simply because
we have a beautiful culture worth celebrating.
Filipino artists are important forces in the formation of our national identity.
Images and the culture of making artwork have power in itself. These are some
notable artists who have captured our Filipino sensibilities in their own way:
A. We can compare his style with the impressionist painters who also aimed to express
the simple beauties of nature and life. Such artists are Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet
and 19- century portrait artist Auguste Dominique Ingres. Because of Amorsolo‟s
expertise on his medium, which is oil, and his sensitivity to light, Amorsolo was able to
paint luminous skin as light strikes it and creates a certain glow. Others even say that
you can almost feel the blood rushing underneath the flesh.
QUICK FACTS: ANALOGOUS IS A TYPE OF COLOR HARMONY WHICH TECHNICALLY MEANS THOSE
COLORS THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER IN THE COLOR WHEEL:
B. He was coined as the master of Philippine Light. This is kind of light that when it
strikes tanned flesh or the leaves of trees for example, one can immediately see a
range of analogous or related colors such as yellow green, yellow and white that appear
at the same time and makes one feel the warmth if the scene created. Because of his,
excellent style, his paintings never fail to bring back the warmth and idyllic scenes of
Philippine provinces and traditions.
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A. Cubism was pioneered jointly by Pablo Picasso and George Braque and was
described to be most radical innovation of art
“isms‟ since it contrasted greatly with the
classical perception of beauty. It uses
overlapping and multi-perspective geometric
shapes and forms of the chosen subject to
produce depth.
B. The cubist aspect of Manansala has
broader facets and planes than original
cubism so they bring out larger rhythms and
is closer to Synthetic Cubism rather than its
earlier phase, which is Analytical Cubism. He
further developed it into transparent cubism,
which shows panels of shapes interfacing
each other.
C . Unlike Amorsolo, Manansala echoes the proletarian painters of the United States.
His works were non-idyllic: emotions and backgrounds showing evidence of real events
happening at his time like poverty and economic depression and skin tones are not
luminous kayumanngi.
3. Hernando R. Ocampo’s style was considered by some critics as the most Filipino
B . What is unique in his works are the abstract compositions of biological forms that
are portrayed in bold strokes of colors that seem to oscillate before your eyes. His
subject matters are usually nature‟s flora and fauna, hence reflective of the natural
beauty of his country.
A . Characterized by the planar and geometric look of his sculptures, Abueva veered
away from the conservatism of his mentor , Guillermo Tolentino ( known for sculpting
the University of the Philippines “ Oblation”
B . He still kept Filipino themes in his sculptures such as rice planters, mother and
child, carabaos, and the like. However ,his bold and edgy interpretation of such themes
intensified the kind of spirit present in dynamic and often monumental sculptures.
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D. Wood Carving is another prominent art form. Our animistic ,mostly from the
Cordilleras, carved the bul-ul and many variations of it. The bul-ul bi-functional ,both a
granary God and an ancestral spirit.
E. Weaving was also predominant we are very rich in materials like the buri, rattan,
pandan and bamboo splits. used in making hats and baskets like the pasiking backpack.
A. The main force of art is the church, hence works were mostly concerned with
religious subject matters.
B. Notable artworks are (Philippine flora and fauna) and the Letras Y Figuras.
C. Filipinos were trained by friars and but they adhered to a more rich palette like
red, blue, and yellow.
A. Closing of the Escuela de Pintura, Grabado Y Escultura which paved for the opening
of small workshops led by artists to train pupils.
B. Photo ethnography was done by American soldiers to “prove” the uncivilized and
primitive people of the Philippines.
C. Forces of art were commissions, sales, gifts, and opening of new American-based
businesses.
D. Filipinos started getting involved in international art expositions like Felix
Resurreccion Hidalgo.
A. Japan occupies the country and laid the groundwork for cultural regeneration,
dissipating American influence
B .Some artists involved in the movement were conservatives Fernando Amorsolo his
brother Pablo , Guillermo Tolentino, Dominador and Castaneda and modernists
Victorio Edades , Galo Ocampo and Hernando Ocampo.
C. Art became a vehicle of influence for the Japanese to control the Filipino spirit by
restricting their artistic expression.
A. Marcos era; Marcos monument was created but was later destroyed.
B. First Lady Imelda Marcos efforts: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), National
Arts Center, and Philippine High School for the Arts among others. The CCP was
envisioned as a shrine for high art and the avante garde.
C . Prominent artists were Chabet, Fernando Zobel, Raymundo Albano along with
modern artists Manansala who painted “ Madonna of the Slums” Benedicto Cabrera (
Bencab) produced protest and revolutionary art through his paintings and prints.
D . Antipas Delovato painted with watercolor a very striking work entitled “Itak sa puso
ni Mang Juan.
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In the field of Visual Arts, it is not much different. We can look back to one of the
greatest Filipino artist of all time who were in the ranks with world-renowned painters
and sculptors. Among them are Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, both of
whom represented the Philippines in the international exposition, Exposicion Nacional
de Bellas Artes (national Demonstration of Beautiful Arts) in Madrid in the 1900‟s. These
artists were first sponsored to study abroad and later on mastered their new knowledge
to a different level of competency.
Forms of local art-The Philippines is very rich in terms of materials and resources. These
materials are sometimes readily available and can be used in its raw forms , but others
need to be processed. When these materials are put into use., many techniques are
given birth. The following are some of the major forms of Philippine art. Some have
descriptions for us to further identify them.
Graphic Arts- usually identified with Assemblage - characterized by the
advertising art because of their flat and collection and assembly of found objects
graphic style for easy reproduction usually on a flat surface. Imagine a collage
but with volumetric objects.
Bamboo Art Food Art
Basketry Furniture
Book Design Installation and Site- specific Art
Dress Komiks and Editorial Cartoon
Embroidery Leaf Art
Effigies- protest art in sculptural form Printmaking - reproduction of several
made with paper machine which is mostly originals using a series of printmaking
burned later to symbolize opposition. techniques . These are all made by hand
,one by one.
Mat Weaving Photography
Metalcraft Pottery
Multimedia Sculpture
Painting and Related Forms Sound Art
Paper Art Tattoo Art
Performance Art Video Art
Personal Ornaments
Philippine Materials:
Clay: earthware, red clay called terra- cota ,stoneware and porcelain
Wood: wood carving used in bul-uls ,sundul (grave markers) panolong (house beams)
santos (graven images)
Tools: paet (carving tool) hiwas (skew) landay (shallow gauge) lukob (deep gauge )
trespico or tatlong kanto (parting tool) ,encarnation or encarnado santo -rendering of
flesh tones.
Furniture: floral and curving vine designs in Pampanga
Sculpture of toothpick trees, fantasy birds, and fans in Paete Laguna
Taka or papier Mache in Paete and creating higantes in Angono Rizal
Papel de hapon for the pabalat wrapper tradition of paper cutting in Bulacan
Philippine hardwood: warmth of tone and natural coloration that ranges from dark
brown to yellow to reddish hues, as well as fine grain texture
Retablos by Napoleon Abueva for chapels
Weathered wood: artists like Jerusalino Araos and Rey paz Contreras used old
railroad tracks or stairs and beams of demolished houses
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Sometimes museums and galleries seem intimidating. Their erudite-looking façade can
be too imposing that entering it seem to demand a lot from us. The culture of gallery
and museum visits are not very common among us. We would rather go to malls where
our hunger for aesthetics could be relieved. However, we miss the opportunity of
having an experience that will feed both our souls and our hunger for our deepest
longings.
2. Where should you eat- some museums have cafes -the only areas where you are
allowed to eat. In galleries, eating is only appropriate during openings and cocktails are
usually served. However, these are not supposed to be full meals, they are just light
snacks, so eat lightly and in the spaces designated for eating.
3. When taking photos - avoid using flash photography because the light could affect
the vibrancy of a painting‟s color. Some paints are light-sensitive and they also naturally
fade over time. Do not speed up the fading process by using the flash when clicking
your camera.
4. Selfies and funny poses- In museums, a lot of paintings and artifacts are deeply
venerated for their depictions of some of the most important pains and victories of a
country or region. Hence, our behavior should also be properly coordinated.
5. Talking and jesting - it is definitely okay to talk and discuss some artworks,but if your
voice is louder than normal ,then it could distract and disturb other gallery visitors.
6. Touching - some contemporary art these days are meant to be touched ,but most
works are NOT. Our fingers have sweat glands which can affect the chemical properties
of painting or sculpture‟s surface. Human sweat cab be acidic and this can have
deteriorating effects on a work of art.
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We are blessed to have an established institution that houses some of the most
important national and even world-reknowned cultural heritage. These treasures are
more than what money can buy because they are records of both history and human
excellence. We will not always have a Luna living in our days, but his art is very much
alive on the walls of our National Museum along with those of other Filipino artists.
The National Museum is a public space and is meant to be visited by us, the Filipino
people. It was mandated in the year 1998 to acquire, document, preserve, exhibit, and
foster scholarly studies and public appreciation of works of art, specimens, and cultural
and historical artifacts representative of our unique cultural heritage and natural history.
Here are some important aspects of the museum that you must know.
> It has nineteen (19) regional branches throughout the archipelago comprising the
national network. Check if your local museum is part of this.
> The museum areas are in a complex . The National Art Gallery was formerly the
Legislative building occupied by the Senate and House of Representative (lower ground
then functioned as National Library): the National Museum of Anthropology) old finance
building) and the newly - renovated National Museum of Natural History (formerly the
department of tourism building).
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The “now” is what critics call contemporary, or postmodern, which is the product
of artistic sensibilities and attitudes following the modernist period. If we look at world
events against its background, we can take into consideration one very important
achievement: technology. Such was the context of the postmodern era. Critics were at
first uncertain of how they should describe the movements following the modern
period, but later on, contemporary art formed its shape and convinced us that it is an
era of its own.
Technology and the rise of the World Wide Web have direct repercussions on the
field of visual arts. New media was explored by artists. Subject matters were more
diverse and also echoed the effects of technology. Approaches to art have become
multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, and multi-modal. Since information and
communication our now at our fingertips, the effects of globalization are also evident in
our jobs, to the things we consume, to the international influences on our culture, and
also to what we create in the art scene. In short, one key word to describe the arts that
is happening in the “now”, is pluralism.
Precursors of postmodern art in the Philippines can be dated back to the EDSA 1
revolution. During the Aquino government ,many reforms in the once Marcos controlled
institutions like the CCP, National Museum ,and Metropolitan Museum of Manila were
implemented. There was a move toward the democratization, decentralization, and
artistic excellence. Because of this, some marginalized artists and art groups during the
Marcos regime were given opportunities to display their works to the public.
Let us now study the implications of contemporary issues for some artists whose works
echo the issues you have discussed and debated previously.
1. Ben Cab- National Artist for Visual Arts - Benedicto Cabrera has works which span a
lot of important periods in our history especially The postwar period. One of his work
series entitled “ Sabel” depicts the disorientation that Filipinos experienced during the
postwar period.
2. David Medalla - The avatar in Europe in performance art as described by art critic
Leo Benesa. Performance art is one of the new artistic expressions of the contemporary
period where the artist himself is the artwork.
3. Pacita Abad - One of the women artists in the country that has produced a strong
voice and identity when it comes to women‟s art. Born in Batanes, her works are
characterized by bold and bright colors. She has traveled to more than 50 countries
with works exhibited to more than 200 galleries.
4. Elmer Borlongan - Painter of Filipino nuances which he depicted with much dignity in
his masterful works. His paintings are mostly figurative with subject matters that tackle
mostly the daily and mundane activities and interactions of Filipinos. He is one of the
most exceptional in the aspect of painting in our country.
5. Mark Salvatus - He has created much discourse and narratives in his works on the
notions of urbanization, internet, and technological age, with political, social and
economical grounding. His works are considered inter media, combining mark - making
sounds, videos ,and found objects in his works.
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6. Leer-oy New- One of the youngest recipients of Thirteen Artists Awards, Leeroy is an
artist of his own, known mostly for his installation art that are often other-worldly with
an alien feel. He pioneered the “ Aliens of Manila” which are curated photographs of
people wearing his creations of bodysuits and headgear.
7. Archie Oclos- He has always been active in the public sphere, painting murals
depicting social realities of both the present and the memories of the past
governments. He was recently awarded one of the Thirteen Artists of CCP.
8. Mars Bugaoan - A young and emerging artist whose works echo the displacement
that we often experience because of the demands of work and globalization. His works
have evolved from printmaking to being sit- responsive, incorporating the landscape of
the site into the installation of the art piece.
Introduction
All throughout this chapter, we will be listening to particular samples that will
contribute toward will appreciating, understanding, and ultimately cultivating a love for
music. There will be discussions of musical concepts and ideas, and listening will be the
main reinforcing factor for our comprehension and enjoyment. There is no better
substitute to appreciating music than directly exposing the ears, our faculties for
hearing, to the vast world of sounds and music out there.
The sense of hearing is one of the most precious gifts God has given to man.
However, most of the time we tend to take this gift for granted. With our busy
schedules, we do not have much time to enjoy quiet and solitude or hear and
appreciate distant sounds from faraway places.
SILENCE - is the condition or quality of being quiet, it is basically the absence of audible
sound or noise. In music, silence is also very important parts where there is an absence
of sound are as important and meaningful as the parts where there is sound.
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MUSIC- is the art of organizing and putting together an array of sounds into a
meaningful, perceptual experience. Music usually follows certain conventional patterns
to convey a message and to express aesthetic, cultural or artistic purposes. Music may
be classified into various genres such as classical, popular, jazz, folk and country.
NOISE- is any sound that lacks reference to musical quality and is generally considered
unpleasant or unbearable to the human ear.
Music is an abstract form of art maybe even the most abstract and subjective of
all the arts. Music in one form or another is perceived to have an effect on many living
things. As the saying goes.” Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast. Music
appeals directly to our emotions and opens up an avenue to the subjective states of a
man.
What is Melody? The Melody is an aspect of music which is probably the first
and foremost thing that we remember when we listen to a song or instrumental pieces.
The melody leaves a lasting impression in the minds of listeners. For example, when we
try to recreate a song, especially one that we hear on the radio, we sing the most
familiar part/s of it where the melody is “catchy”. This is usually found in the chorus or
refrain rather than in in the verses , though some songs mat also have remarkable
melodies found in the verses. We usually sing, humor whistle to melody that appeals to
us. We also can decide whether a melody is good, mediocre, or plain trash. Why is it
that we can follow a melody? It is because of its very nature. It is because of this
nature that musicians usually refer as a “line.”
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Interval - the distance between two pitches in music. It may be small as in steps or
may be big as in leaps.
Harmony is that event in which two or more pitches or notes, sound simultaneously.
Of course not all pitch combinations may sound pleasing or harmonious to the ears,
hence we have the concept of consonance and dissonance. Consonance is when two or
more notes are at rest or resolved with each other, while dissonance is when two or
more pitches sound tense or unresolved when heard together. Dissonance may also be
referred to as discord. A good example of discord is when someone sings karaoke or
videoke out of tune.
Chord - is a device in harmony where two or three pitches are surrounded together.
Chords are not chosen randomly, they are derived from a scale. A scale is a set of
pitches arranged in a particular sequence and may either run going up ( ascending) or
going down ( descending).
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In Western music, scales use sol-fa syllables, which are namely : do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-
do. Therefore ,if we review our interval.
The triad is a type of chord which is made up of three tones, stacked one on top of
the other. It is the most common and basic type of chord employed in the everyday
music we hear. Two of the most common types of triad used in music. The major and
the minor triad or simply the major and minor chords.
Texture in music refers to the various layers of melodic lines and sounds happening
simultaneously in a composition.
Monophony, the most basic texture, is a single unaccompanied melody. An example is
when someone sings a tune a cappella.
Polyphony is the type of texture when two or more tunes/ melodies are played or
sung together at the same time.
Contrapuntal - derived from the word counterpoint is sometimes used
interchangeably with polyphony.
An example of polyphonic music is the round song, Row, row ,row your boat ,sung
imitatively in differing time intervals .
Homophony - wherein a melody is accompanied and harmonized simultaneously by
chords. Here, the melody is of primary interest while the accompanying chords are
subordinate to the melody. A lot popular songs and church hymns have this type of
texture.
Dynamics- which is the property of music that deals with its loudness or softness
(volume). In music, Italian terms are used to label variations in the loudness or softness
of a sound. These terms are written on the score or piece the physical written/printed
form of music.
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Rhythm refers to the aspect of time in music. It determines how long or how short a
pitch will sound, the employment of time patterns, the length of silences in between
notes and also covers the speed of the music. Rhythm in music gives direction and
character to each piece as we will see later.
Meter is a repeating pattern of strong and weak beats. In music, there are two
common types of simple meter used; duple and triple meter. In musical notation,
meter is represented with measures or bars. The meter tells us how many beats are
there in a single measure.
Duple meter- type of meter where beats are grouped in twos. The best example of this
is a march, reflecting the movement of our two feet.
ONE TWO, ONE TWO, ONE TWO; or left right, left right
1 2 1 2 1 2
Or
(one and three are the strong beats ,while two and four are weak . Note: Beat one is
slightly stronger than beat three, even if both of them are considered strong beats.)
Triple meter- type of meter where beats are grouped in threes. An example of song
that uses this meter is “ Bahay Kubo”.
(one is the strong beat, while two and three are both weak beats)
In music, meter is not always realized too strictly, or else it would be sound too
“square”, as if it was manipulated by a robot. MIDI files would sound like this. In
reality, rhythm and meter are organic, such as reflected in the natural ways we do
things, such as walking, breathing, or even the beating of our hearts.
Rubato is one the concept of classical music which literally means “ robbed time” .
When doing a rubato, musicians stretch the rhythm of the music, the meter wavers.
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If the meter tells us how many beats or counts there are in a measure then tempo on
the other hand lets.us know how quickly or slowly these beats happen. Tempo dictates
the pace of music, and it sets the mood and gives character to the piece. Tempo
markings are written in Italian, for Italian music had dominated the cultural life of the
European continent from around the late 1500‟s to the mid-1700‟s . The tempo means
“time” in Italian.
Along with these mood or character markings are also sometimes used together with
tempo markings. Just like in dynamics, these try to convey human feelings and
emotions.
Leggiero lightly
Morendo in a dying manner
Scherzando jokingly
Tranquillo calmly
In classical or art music, these Italian terms are still widely used today. However, in
more recent times, composers have been using the language of their origin (English,
French, German, and Filipino) to indicate expressive markings in their music. In jazz
music, English is most widely used.
Musical Watercolors
Simply put, tone color or timbre is the quality of the notes we hear in music,
dependent on the instruments, voices and the method of how these instruments and
voices are played /manipulated. We use imprecise adjectives to describe each tone
color that we hear, but normally people can easily differentiate what the sound of a
trumpet is from that of a guitar. The most distinct tone color is that of the human voice,
which is what most other instruments try to imitate. There is such a wide array of
musical timbres available for the human ear to listen and appreciate, especially since in
modern times much composed music is created, manipulated, and synthesized using
electronic media, computers, and advanced composition software.
There is duality in how musical elements are utilized. These are by repetition and
contrast.
Letters are conventionally used to label repetitions and contrasts. For example, if a form
is labelled A B A, then A signifies the repetitions while B signifies the element of
contrast.
Two part (Binary) and three-part (Ternary) forms are most commonly used in
Western music.
Binary Form- a type of musical form with two contrasting parts. ( A‟ part B‟ part).
Sample Illustration:
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Ternary Form - a type of musical form with three parts. The first part “A” is repeated
after the second part “ B.” This makes this form symmetrical.
Sample Illustration:
Style ,just like form is another of those vague and general terms we use. What is a
style? In music, it is the combination of characteristics and attributes that make it
unique. Geography, history, belief systems, values, traditions, lifestyles, and culture all
play important factors that shape different musical styles.
I. As an art form:
1. As medium for self-expression
2. A vehicle for the transmission ( either oral or written) of cultural ,artistic heritage
3. A tool for preservation of a nation‟s identity
4. Used as entertainment: touches human emotions and ennobles the human spirit
5. Away of learning about the traditions, values, attitudes, performing styles, beliefs,
sensibilities and culture of a particular people,place,or period in history
6. Showcases the human race‟s talent and artistic capability
II. In Politics:
1. Used to influence people, their mindsets and their attitudes toward the government
(example : protest songs, songs calling for unity)
2. Used in political campaigns /advertisements
3. Instill a sense of patriotism and nationalism
IV. Spiritually :
1. Used in rituals /ceremonies of tribes or other ethnic groups
2. Integral part of religious services
3. Medium for worshiping God
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V. In Healing
Music therapy- the use of music in conjunction with either medical or naturopathic
treatment of bodily ailments.
Medieval Music
The Christian Church shaped the early history of Western Music. The Church
supported and enriched music, art, architecture and other fields of learning. Both
composers and musicians got their training from the church . However ,there were also
secular musicians called mintrels, jongleurs , troubadors and trouveres. These
were itinerant poet- musicians travelling from place to place ,composing and performing
their own songs about chivalry ,crusades‟ songs unrequited love and laments for dead
heroes/heroines. They were the pop music idols of their day. Basically ,we have to
remember that there were two sides of musical performance during this era; sacred
and secular.
A troubadour playing a lute. Troubadors, minstrels, and trouveres played secular music.
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Plainchant
Gregorian chant or plainsong is a vast collection of melodies designed for
religious texts used by the Church for its services. It is called “Gregorian” after Pope
Gregory I (circa 504-604) A.D.) This label is quite misleading, for he did not compose a
majority of these chants, he just organized and standardized these. These chants were
used extensively for services, masses, and other ceremonies which happened almost on
a daily basis.
Musical Instruments
Some of our modern-day musical instruments may be traced from the Middle Ages,
and they share a lot in common in terms of form and function. However, technological
changes have shaped these greatly over the centuries. Some of the stringed
instruments during this period were the lute, psaltery, vielle, harp, and zither.
There were flutes already during that time ,but instead of metal, were constructed out
of wood. The sackbut, an early type of trombone also came into use.
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Basso Continuo- Also called “thorough bass” a device where both the melody and bass
lines were written out but the harmonic filling in between was done in shorthand
symbols, usually using numbers.
Improvisation - Musical pieces or scores during the Baroque period were usually devoid
of expressive markings such as dynamics and articulation and so musicians had to
improvise on the spot much like what happens in today‟s jazz music.
Some elaborate Baroque embellishments, as seen in its architecture, arts, and crafts
The fugue- a musical device where a tune that begins a piece is repeated by other
voices, or instruments, usually a fifth above or a fourth below it. It is a form of imitative
polyphony.
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It is term used to refer to the three major composers of the classical era who were
based in Vienna. These were Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
and Ludwig van Beethoven. Each of them made great contributions through their
compositions.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart- one of the most brilliant child prodigies the world produced
,was born in Salzburg, Austria. He displayed exceptional musical talent at a very young
age ,playing the violin, keyboard instruments and composing. His fame spread across
the continent and is still very popular even until today. Some familiar tunes, such as
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” Rondo alla Turca (Turkish March), were composed by
Mozart. Mozart composed in a great variety of musical styles from operas, church
music vocal solos, and instrumental forms such as sonatas and chamber music. His
operas such as “Cosi Fan Tutee”, ”The Marriage of Figaro”, and the “The Magic Flute”
rank among the finest examples of opera.
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Ludwig van Beethoven- born in Bonn, Germany, he moved to Vienna in 1792. A true
musical genius, Beethoven continued composing long after he lost his sense of hearing.
In his early years. He styled mirrored that Haydn but as he matured he developed a
more mature and individual voice, one which led him to be considered to be the leading
transition figure between the Classical period and Romanticism. He is usually
represented as a „madman‟ having a fierce unbridled personality. Among his greatest
compositions are “ Fur Elise,” a piano piece dedicated to one of his students his 32
piano sonatas, and his monumental 9th Symphony - symphony that was truly
remarkable for it was lengthier and more complex tan any other symphony during its
time plus it incorporated a choir and solo singers at the last movement. It is in this last
movement where the famous tune “Ode to Joy” can be heard which was an expression
of universal brotherhood and faith in mankind. Its melody was also used as a church
hymn.
LESSON 4: The Artist: Living Larger than Life in the Romantic Era
The Romantic era was a movement in the arts, literature, and music in Europe that
spanned from 1800 until the middle of the century. In music, the generally accepted
dates start approximately from 1820 to 1990. This movement was a reaction against
the previous movement, Classicism. The tenents of balance ,restraint order, elegance,
measure and self-control gave way to new themes: individualism, nostalgia,
nationalism, an exaggeration on the beauty and forces of nature, heroism, romance,
emotion, the macabre and a regard for poetic subjects. The Romantics were giants,
they and their works were larger than life mirroring the rapid changes happening during
that age. These are several events that helped shape the direction and development of
the arts, music and literature during the Romantic Era.
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Program Music
It is usually exclusively applicable only to instrumental music, wherein it depicts non-
musical sources. These sources may vary from events, themes, places, poems, or
passages from literary works. The music makes more sense when listeners are informed
about the sources being illustrated by the composition.
We shall look at two notable types of compositions that arose during this period:
miniatures and grandiose compositions.
Miniature - was a “small piece” a short composition that lasted for a few minutes. Most
miniatures were composed for intimate settings, that is for performances in small
chamber halls or for enjoyment. In a private residence‟s living room. These are usually
short songs or short piano pieces where the composer can exhibit his/her personal style
and compositional language in a brief yet intense way. Examples of miniatures are
nocturnes (songs for the night or evening) ,preludes (short introductory pieces),
intermezzos, etudes (exercises) polonaises ( Polish dances) and serenades.
Grandiose Compositions- in contrast to the miniatures there are also compositions that
required huge musical forces larger and longer symphonies, concertos, operas and
cantatas. The goal was to create a marvelous impression on the audience using a
greater number of performers, longer performing times and the complementary use of
other art forms such as poetry, theatrically, grand dramatic gestures, and even the use
of religion. Tchaikovsky‟s Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in B-flat ,which we listened to
earlier is an example of such a work.
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The Virtuoso
At the beginning of this lesson, we talked a little about the virtuoso s ,who were the
rock stars of the 19th century. Let us take a brief look at two leading virtuoso's of the
Romantic period, Franz Liszt of the piano and Niccolo Paganini of the violin.
Franz Liszt - Born in Raiding ,Hungary in October 1811, he was a child prodigy who
gained great renown throughout Europe as one of the leading pianists of his day,
touring city after city and dazzling his audiences with his dexterity, improvisational
skills, and his charming and flamboyant personality. He had tempestuous love affairs,
some of which were public and which added to his fame. He also was a composer,
conductor, writer, teacher, and philanthropist. He promoted the music of his fellow
composers. In 1837, he and another piano virtuoso by the name of Sigismund
Thalberg, his greatest rival had a public showdown to prove who was the ultimate
pianist of the time.
Niccolo Paganini- Born in Genoa, Italy on 1782, Paganini was the greatest violinist
during his time. He had a great influence on the developmental of violin- playing
technique. Like Liszt, he travelled extensively, causing sensations everywhere he
performed. His feats were so astounding that it was rumored that he was in league with
the devil. He also was a composer and played other instruments such as the viola and
the guitar. His “Twenty- Four Caprices for unaccompanied violin “are his most popular
and notable works for the instrument.
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Impressionism began in France at around the early 1860‟s and was a reaction toward
realistic portrayals of subjects. It puts emphasis on fleeting momentary impressions
rather than focusing objectively on structures or forms found within an artwork. Its
central figure in music is Claude Debussy. Other composers who are representatives
of his idiom are Maurice Ravel of France, Ottorino Respighi of Italy and Charles
Griffes from the U.K.
Minimalism
In the 1960‟s ,a tendency towards simplicity in music was founded by several American
composers. They desired a kind of music which was free from too much sentimentality
and technical difficulties. Their compositions were not that dramatic and changes within
the music are realized generally in longer periods of time in a carefully staggered way.
Minimalism as the name suggest hoped to bring back music to its most basic elements.
The foremost figures in this style were Steve Reich, Terry Riley, La Monte Young
and Philip Glass.
Electronic Music
The advent of electronic instruments notably the synthesizer equipment and other
innovations gave rise to music which was not derived or created from the known
standard musical instruments whether from Eastern or Western origin. New electronic
instruments appeared that were capable of making sounds previously considered
unimaginable. Some composers from this idiom are Milton Babbitt, Karlheinz
Stockhausen and Luciano Berio.
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Music is primarily used as a part of the Negritos „ ceremonies and rituals such as
marriage rituals, healing the music ,burial rites and memories for the dead. Singing is
usually accompanied by dancing and by musical instruments such as the bansi, a type
of flute, the kudyapi, and the kimbal.
In the Cordillera mountain range of Luzon, flat gongs, called gangsa are
principally used in indigenous music. These gongs are usually made from brass or
bronze. These are used in occasions such as life- cycle celebrations, peace pacts,
and weddings to name a few. Gongs are considered to be highly valuable ,
prestigious instruments and they may be offered as dowry for marriage, exchanged or
sold for animals farmland or other necessary commodities. Gongs may be played in two
ways, either to be struck by hand (topayya) or to be struck with sticks (palook).
Besides gongs, there are other musical instruments which are usually made out of wood
and bamboo. Some examples of these are bamboo percussion tubes (kalingga
tongatong) ,bamboo buzzer (Kalingga balingbing, ifugao bungkaka or Ibaloi
pakkung) bamboo nose flute (Bontok kaleleng) bamboo tube zither(Isneg kuritao)
and the three- stringed fiddle (Illonggot kulibao or litlit).
Kudyapi
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In the southern part of the Philippines there are music traditions both from indigenous
peoples and from a Muslim-influenced culture.
Others instruments
Beside gongs, others instrument found in the south following: the lip-valley flue
(palendang), jew‟s harp (kubing), xylophone (gabbang) violin (biola), and percussion
beans (kagul)
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The Kundiman and the Kumintang are two salient vocal idioms of Philippines art
music.
The Kundiman
The Kundiman is the type of Filipino art song that is written in triple time , and
usually begins in a minor key. It is referred to as the signature love of the country. Its
theme generally portrays the „‟ faithful and true, but often forlom pleadings of a lover
who knows nothing but sacrifice behalf of this beloved.‟‟ (Padilla de Leon 1969).
According to Raymond Banas (1969), there are three possible theories as the origin of
the word “Kundiman” these are the following.
1. a contraction of the phase “kung hindi man”
2. a derivation from the verse “hele, hele ng kundiman”
3. the red cloth worm by men and male dancers in the countryside
Examples of notable kundiman are “Pakiusap” “Madaling-Araw and “Anak ng Dalita “ all
composed by Fancisco Santiago. Other prolific writers of Kundiman were Nicanor
Abelardo ,Santiago Suarez, Antonio Molina, Lucrecia Kasalig, Felipi De leon, and
Bonifacio Abdon.
The Kumintang
In the 1800s historians referred to it as the “national song and dance”of the
Philippines, the “Kumintang was originally a “war song that inflamed combatants in
action” (Manuel walls y Merino 1892). the province usually associated to its origin is
Batangas, where it developed in to song and dance form. Also written in triple time, it is
a love of dance performed to a sad song, usually accompanied by a guitar or a double
bass.
Bands
Bands, which are composed of woodwinds, brass instruments, and other percussion
intsruments such as drums also have a significant following especially in these
provinces: Rizal, Bulacan, Batangas, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, La Union, and Pampanga.
These range from military marching bands civilian bands and town bands.
Musikong Bumbong
Is a type of ensemble ( usually in band configuration) that has instruments made of
bamboo. These ensembles a very few and quite unique in the sound that they
produce.
Orchestras
The Philippines has a few orchestras, and these are the following:
Rondalla
The Rondalla, originating from Spain, is an ensemble (performing group) that was
later customized and transformed to fit Filipino culture. Also called the Filipino “stringed
band” these groups play a wide range of repertoire, from folk, modern and even foreign
classical music. These are mostly transcriptions of the vocal and instrumental
compositions. The usual instruments found within a rondalla are the bandurria, laud,
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octavina, guitar, and double bass. Rondallas are found throughout the country,
especially in many public schools.
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These higher places of learning‟s usually have concert halls wherein the general
public may attend to witness live musical performances, symposia workshops master
classes music festival and other music related events. The following are some of the
higher institutes for learning music in the Philippines:
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