Free Printable Worksheets for learning Classical Music at the College level

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Classical Music Info Sheet

Introduction

Classical music is an umbrella term that refers to a wide variety of music genres that originated in Europe during the Classical Period (1730-1820). It is known for its graceful melodies, balanced structures, and rich instrumentation. In this info sheet, we will discuss the key concepts and definitions related to classical music.

Key Concepts

Music periods

  • Baroque period (1600-1750)
  • Classical period (1730-1820)
  • Romantic period (1810-1910)
  • Modern period (1900-Present)

Instrumentation

  • Orchestra
  • Chamber music (music played by a small ensemble)
  • Solo instruments (piano, violin, cello, etc.)

Forms

  • Sonata
  • Symphony
  • Concerto
  • Opera

Composers

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  • Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Franz Schubert

Musical Terms

  • Tempo (speed of the music)
  • Dynamics (volume of the music)
  • Melody (tune or main theme of the music)

Important Information

Classical Period Characteristics

  • Emphasis on balance and symmetry
  • Use of sonata form in instrumental music
  • Clear phrase structure and regular meter
  • Use of homophonic texture (melody and accompaniment)

Instruments and Their Role

  • Strings (violin, viola, cello, bass) provide melody and harmony
  • Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon) add color and variety to the music
  • Brass (trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba) provide power and emphasis
  • Percussion (timpani, snare drum, cymbals) add rhythmic support

Key Composers and Their Works

  • W.A. Mozart: Symphony No. 40, Piano Sonata No. 11, Don Giovanni
  • L.V. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, Moonlight Sonata, Fidelio
  • J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Goldberg Variations, St. Matthew Passion
  • F. Schubert: Symphony No. 9, Schone Mullerin, Trout Quintet

Takeaways

  • Classical music is a broad umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of genres, time periods, and composers.
  • The Classical period was marked by balance, symmetry, and regularity in both melody and structure.
  • Composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Schubert are some of the most well-known composers of Classical music.
  • The instruments used in Classical music provide melody, harmony, color, variety, power, and rhythmic support.
  • Key genres like the sonata, symphony, concerto, and opera are important to understand in order to appreciate Classical music fully.

Here's some sample Classical Music vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word Definition
Symphony An elaborate instrumental composition in three or more movements, similar in form to a sonata but written for an orchestra and usually of far grander proportions and more varied elements.
Concerto A piece of music for one or more solo instruments and orchestra with three contrasting movements. The solo part is intended to show off the virtuosity of the performer.
Chamber music Music played by small ensembles, with one player to a part. Examples include string quartets, piano trios, and wind quintets.
Opera A type of classical music drama, typically one in which most of the words are sung, with simple or no costumes and scenery, usually telling a story with human emotions.
Ballet A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.
Prelude A short piece of music that is usually played as an introduction to a larger piece of music or to set the mood for a concert.
Etude A short musical composition, typically for a solo instrument, designed as an exercise to improve the technique or demonstrate the skill of the player.
Sonata A musical composition for a solo instrument or a small ensemble, usually containing three or four movements of contrasting forms such as an opening Allegro, a slow and lyrical Andante, a minuet or scherzo, and a fast and brilliant finale, often in sonata form.
Overture An orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play oratorio, or other extended composition. Its purpose is to introduce the musical themes and motifs that are heard throughout the work.
Cadenza A virtuosic, improvisational solo passage present in some concertos and sonatas. It usually occurs near the end of a movement and allows the soloist to display their technical and musical skill with a flourish.
Aria A long, accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio.
Chorale A simple hymn tune typically sung by four-part harmony, often used in Lutheran church services.
Minuet A stylized dance in triple-time that originated as a social dance. It was popular in the 18th century and often appeared as a movement in a sonata, symphony, or a suite.
Fugue A complex, polyphonic form of music that emerged from the Baroque era. It involves a main theme (called the subject) that is imitated by several voices in turn, at different pitches and in different keys, in a carefully structured formal scheme.
Concerto grosso A type of Baroque music where a small group of soloists plays together against a larger group of players called the tutti, which typically consists of the remainder of the string section and harpsichord continuo.
Oratorio A large-scale musical work for choir, soloists, and orchestra that is often based on a religious theme. It is similar to an opera in that it uses narrators, soloists, and a large orchestra but lacks stage, scenery, and movement.
Cantata A vocal composition, typically with an instrumental accompaniment, consisting of solos, choruses, recitatives, and instrumental music, often in multiple movements.
Suite A set of instrumental pieces, often dance movements, performed as a single composition.
Impromptu A free-form, improvisation-like showpiece for the piano or other solo instrument.
Lieder German art songs written for solo voice and piano accompaniment.
Counterpoint The art of combining two or more melodic lines in a way that creates a harmonically pleasing sound.

Here's some sample Classical Music study guides Sign in to generate your own study guide worksheet.

Study Guide: Classical Music

Introduction

Classical music is a form of art music rooted in the traditions of Western music. It is highly sophisticated and its technical demands require significant dedication from both the performers and the listeners. This study guide aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of classical music, including its history, forms, and important composers.

History of Classical Music

Classical music has its roots in Western Europe, and it is typically divided into the following periods: - Baroque (1600 – 1750): characterized by instrumental music, elaborate ornamentation and a complex contrapuntal style. - Classical (1730 – 1820): characterized by well-structured melodies and clear, precise forms. - Romantic (1815 – 1910): characterized by strong emotions, complex harmonies, and vast orchestration. - Modern (1890 – present): characterized by experimentation with form and harmony, and a rejection of previous stylistic conventions.

Elements of Classical Music

Classical music has several distinct elements that are important to understand, including: - Melody: the main tune or theme of the piece. - Harmony: the vertical aspect of music, or the way individual notes are combined to create chords. - Rhythm: the organization of time, and the way notes are grouped into patterns. - Texture: the complexity of the musical fabric, whether it is thin or thick, simple or complex, and how the different musical lines are interwoven. - Form: the structure of the piece, and how it is organized into sections.

Forms of Classical Music

Classical music is typically organized into several basic forms, including: - Sonata: a form typically used for solo instruments, with three or four movements of varying tempo. - Symphony: a form for full orchestra, with four movements. - Concerto: a form for solo instrument and orchestra, with three movements. - Opera: a form of musical theatre, with vocal soloists accompanied by orchestra. - Chamber Music: a form performed by a small ensemble, often consisting of strings or wind instruments.

Important Composers

There are numerous important composers in the history of classical music, including: - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750): Baroque composer known for his keyboard music, instrumental compositions, and choral works. - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791): Classical composer known for his operas, symphonies, and chamber music. - Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827): Key figure in the transition from classical to romantic music known for his symphonies, piano sonatas, and string quartets. - Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849): Romantic composer known for his piano music. - Johannes Brahms (1833 – 1897): Romantic composer known for his symphonies, concertos, and chamber music.

Conclusion

Classical music is a vast and complex subject, with numerous composers, forms, and elements. With a basic understanding of these features, you can become a more engaged and appreciative listener, and develop a deeper appreciation for this rich musical tradition.

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Practice Sheet: Classical Music

  1. Describe the difference between a sonata and a symphony.
  2. Identify the composer(s) associated with the Classical period.
  3. Define the term opera seria and provide an example of a famous opera in this style.
  4. What is a concerto? How is it typically structured?
  5. Identify the composer(s) associated with the Romantic period.
  6. Compare and contrast the characteristics of Classical and Romantic music.
  7. Describe the purpose and structure of a minuet and trio in a classical symphony.
  8. Define the term leitmotif and provide an example from a famous opera.
  9. Describe the role of the orchestra in a classical symphony.
  10. Identify the different voice ranges in opera and provide an example of an opera character for each range.

Practice Sheet for Classical Music

Sample Problem

What is the difference between a concerto and a sonata?

A concerto is a piece of music written for a solo instrument and orchestra, while a sonata is a piece of music written for one or two solo instruments. A concerto typically has three movements, while a sonata typically has four. A concerto often has a more dramatic, virtuosic style, while a sonata is more lyrical and introspective.

Practice Problem 1

What is the difference between a symphony and an opera?

A symphony is a piece of music written for a large orchestra, typically with four movements. An opera is a piece of music written for a combination of singers and orchestra, with a story line and characters. Symphonies often have a more abstract, instrumental style, while operas have a more dramatic, vocal style.

Practice Problem 2

What is the difference between a fugue and a rondo?

A fugue is a piece of music written in a contrapuntal style, with two or more voices or instruments playing the same melody in different octaves and at different times. A rondo is a piece of music written in a form of a theme and variations, with the same melody repeating throughout the piece. A fugue is usually more complex and intricate, while a rondo is usually more lighthearted and playful.

Classical Music Practice Sheet

Warm-up Exercises

  1. Play a scale in the key of C on your instrument.
  2. Play a single note with a crescendo and diminuendo.
  3. Play a single note with a staccato and legato.
  4. Play a single note with a vibrato.

Sight-Reading Exercises

  1. Read through a piece of music written in 4/4 time signature.
  2. Read through a piece of music written in 3/4 time signature.
  3. Read through a piece of music written in 6/8 time signature.
  4. Read through a piece of music written in a compound time signature.

Rhythm Exercises

  1. Tap out a rhythm using quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes.
  2. Tap out a rhythm using dotted quarter notes and eighth notes.
  3. Tap out a rhythm using triplets.
  4. Tap out a rhythm using syncopation.

Theory Exercises

  1. Identify the key signature of a given piece of music.
  2. Identify the time signature of a given piece of music.
  3. Identify the type of chord progression used in a given piece of music.
  4. Identify the type of melody used in a given piece of music.

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Classical Music Quiz

Test your mastery of Classical Music with this challenging quiz. There are no multiple choice or true/false questions, so be prepared to think critically!

Problem Answer
Name three musical periods associated with Classical Music. Baroque, Classical, Romantic
Which composer is known as the Father of the Symphony? Joseph Haydn
What is the name of Beethoven's only opera? Fidelio
What is the name of Mozart's famous requiem, left incomplete at his death? Requiem Mass in D minor
What is the name of the famous opening section of Handel's Messiah? Overture
Who was the ballet composer who composed The Nutcracker? Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
What is the name of the opera written by Bizet that tells the story of a soldier named Don José, who is seduced by the fiery Carmen? Carmen
Which composer was known as the Red Priest and was famous in his time as a violinist and composer? Antonio Vivaldi
Name the composer who wrote The Four Seasons. Antonio Vivaldi
In which city was composer Johann Sebastian Bach born? Eisenach, Germany
Problem Answer
Name the three main periods of Classical Music The three main periods of Classical Music are the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.
Name a famous composer from the Baroque period Johann Sebastian Bach is a famous composer from the Baroque period.
Name a famous composer from the Classical period Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a famous composer from the Classical period.
Name a famous composer from the Romantic period Ludwig van Beethoven is a famous composer from the Romantic period.
Name a famous piece of music from the Baroque period Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are a famous piece of music from the Baroque period.
Name a famous piece of music from the Classical period Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor is a famous piece of music from the Classical period.
Name a famous piece of music from the Romantic period Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor is a famous piece of music from the Romantic period.
What is the main difference between the Baroque and Classical periods? The main difference between the Baroque and Classical periods is that the Baroque period was characterized by complex and ornate music, while the Classical period was characterized by simpler and more refined music.
What is the main difference between the Classical and Romantic periods? The main difference between the Classical and Romantic periods is that the Classical period was characterized by a more structured and balanced approach to music, while the Romantic period was characterized by a more emotional and expressive approach to music.
What is the difference between a symphony and a concerto? The difference between a symphony and a concerto is that a symphony is a large-scale orchestral work, while a concerto is a work for one or more solo instruments with an accompanying orchestra.

Classical Music Quiz

Question Answer
Who is considered the most famous composer of the Baroque era? Johann Sebastian Bach
What is the most famous work by Ludwig van Beethoven? Symphony No. 9 (Choral)
What is the most famous work by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? The Marriage of Figaro
What is the most famous work by Franz Schubert? Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)
Who wrote the opera Carmen? Georges Bizet
Who wrote the ballet The Nutcracker? Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
What is the most famous work by Antonio Vivaldi? The Four Seasons
Who wrote the opera The Magic Flute? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Who wrote the opera La Bohème? Giacomo Puccini
What is the most famous work by Johann Strauss II? The Blue Danube
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