Question 1: Describe the main differences in timbre you would expect to hear between a solo violin and a solo trumpet playing the same melody.

Answer: The violin's timbre is typically smooth, warm, and somewhat mellow with a woody quality, while the trumpet's timbre is brighter, more piercing, and metallic with a sharper attack.

Question 2: Imagine listening to a piece where a choir sings with a bright, airy quality, and then shifts to a darker, more muted tone. How does this change in timbre affect the overall mood of the music?

Answer: The bright, airy timbre creates a sense of lightness and optimism, while the darker, muted tone introduces a more somber, serious mood, affecting the emotional impact of the piece.

Question 3: Identify three instruments that are likely to have a breathy or airy timbre, and explain how this quality influences the sound.

Answer: Instruments like the flute, clarinet, and saxophone can have a breathy or airy timbre, especially if played softly or with certain techniques. This quality gives the sound a gentle, smooth, or ethereal character.

Question 4: Listen carefully to a passage where the sound is described as 'rich and warm' with a full-bodied quality. Which types of instruments or voices typically produce this timbre?

Answer: Rich and warm timbres are often associated with string instruments like cello or double bass, or with vocal types such as baritones or basses, which produce deep, mellow sounds.

Question 5: Draw a simple waveform diagram that could represent a ‘shrill’ or ‘piercing’ sound. Describe what features your waveform would have to depict this timbre.

Answer: The waveform should be irregular with rapid oscillations, indicating a high frequency and a sharp attack. It may also have sharp peaks to suggest a piercing quality.

Question 6: Explain how the use of mutes can alter the timbre of brass instruments, giving an example of a specific mute and its effect.

Answer: Using a mute, such as a cup mute on a trumpet, softens the sound, making it more subdued, mellow, or muted. It reduces brightness and can add a darker, more velvety quality.

Question 7: Imagine a recording where a singer’s voice suddenly becomes harsh and gritty. What vocal technique might be responsible for this change in timbre?

Answer: The singer might be using vocal fry or vocal distortion techniques, which produce a rough, gritty, or raspy sound.

Question 8: Describe how the timbre of an electric guitar can be modified using effects pedals, and give two examples of such effects.

Answer: Effects pedals can alter the guitar’s timbre by adding distortion, reverb, delay, or modulation effects. For example, distortion creates a gritty, aggressive sound, while reverb adds spaciousness.

Question 9: Sketch a waveform that represents a ‘mellow’ or ‘soft’ sound. Include labels for features that make it sound gentle.

Answer: The waveform should have smooth, rounded peaks with low amplitude, indicating a steady, gentle sound with minimal sudden changes or sharp peaks.

Question 10: How does the use of vibrato affect the timbre of a sustained note? Describe the change in sound quality.

Answer: Vibrato introduces a regular variation in pitch, which enriches the sound, making it more expressive and warm. It can add a shimmering or pulsating quality to the sustained note.

Question 11: Identify a musical genre or style where a ‘raw’ or ‘gritty’ timbre is characteristic, and explain why.

Answer: Blues and rock music often feature gritty timbres, especially in vocals and electric guitar, because they convey raw emotion and intensity, often using techniques like overdrive and distortion.