Chapter 14: Spaces
Preview Questions
Introduction
Music has evolved along with the spaces in which it is played. In this chapter you’ll see some examples of different acoustic environments and music that was designed for them starting with small rooms and ending with huge spaces. A certain type of music may sound better in one type of a room than others due to how sound behaves in different sized rooms.
Review Questions
- What effect does the size of a room have on sound? What effect do furniture, carpet, and drapes have?
- Imagine a trumpet player playing their instrument at the beach. How would that sound? Now imagine the same trumpet player in a parking garage. What is the difference in the sound there?
- How does a room create conditions that is suitable to a particular kind of music?
- What kind of room would be the best for Gregorian chant from the Middle Ages? Why? What kind of room would be best for a string quartet? Why?
- Listen to this string quartet playing a piece by Joseph Haydn. Listen to the quality of the sound. How big would you guess the room is? Now rewind to where the director shows a little of the location and see if you guessed right. Did you imagine the room being bigger of smaller?
- What is your favorite place that you’ve heard music played in? What do you like best about it? Was the music you heard played there suitable to the space?
Introduction
Music has evolved along with the spaces in which it is played. In this chapter you’ll see some examples of different acoustic environments and music that was designed for them starting with small rooms and ending with huge spaces. A certain type of music may sound better in one type of a room than others due to how sound behaves in different sized rooms.
Review Questions
- What is reverberation? What causes it? How can it be increased or decreased?
- When you listen to a recording, what clues are there to help you imagine what sort of a room it was performed in?
- Why is a cathedral a good space for Gregorian chant? Why is a small recital hall better suited for a string quartet?
- Why might a performer play a piece at a slower tempo if they’re playing in a bigger room?
- Why are some concerts given in big spaces?
- Why do some people like the sound of their singing voice in the shower?
- What’s the difference between listening to loudspeakers vs. headphones?