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Timbre and Dynamics Concepts
Quick questions on Voices and instruments: SATB, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion - SQA National 5 Music
9short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What are the four voices?Show answer
From highest to lowest, the voice types are soprano (high female or treble), alto (lower female), tenor (higher male) and bass (low male). Many choirs sing in these four parts (SATB).
What are strings?Show answer
Instruments whose sound comes from bowed or plucked strings: violin, viola, cello and double bass. Warm, singing, expressive tone.
What is woodwind?Show answer
Instruments where air is blown to make sound, traditionally of wood: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and saxophone. Breathy, reedy or pure tones.
What is brass?Show answer
Metal instruments played by buzzing the lips: trumpet, trombone, French horn and tuba. Bright, powerful, ringing tone.
What is percussion?Show answer
Instruments struck, shaken or scraped: drums, timpani, cymbals, xylophone, glockenspiel. Some are tuned (xylophone), some are not (snare drum).
What are ensembles?Show answer
Common groupings include the choir, the orchestra, the string quartet, the brass band and the pipe band, each with a recognisable overall sound.
What is q1?Show answer
A bright, ringing, fanfare-like melody is played on a metal instrument blown by buzzing the lips. Name the family. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
A vocal group sings in full four-part harmony with no instruments at all. Name the concept. [1 mark]
What is q3?Show answer
Why is a saxophone classed as woodwind even though it is made of metal? [1 mark]