AboutClare Redfarn Expertise All aspects of the academic/theoretical side of music, including harmony, counterpoint, elementary composition, history, harmonic analysis, aural training, sightreading - the lot! Please note: I'm neither a professional composer (so I can't help with composition beyond what's required for Grade 8 theory or A'level) nor a singing teacher (so I can't answer questions about vocal technique or extending your vocal range). And don't ask me about psychoacoustics or music psychology as I have no knowledge of, or interest in, either subject.
Experience 50 years as pianist (professional soloist and accompanist); 35 years as harpsichordist (professional soloist and continuist); 10 years as violinist and 6 years as bassoonist (youth orchestras/chamber groups); 37 years as piano teacher, coach in performance/interpretation (all ages, instruments and levels) and private tutor (mainly the old O'level, Grade VI+ ABRSM theory/practical musicianship, A'level and undergraduates).
Organizations I've been a member of the Musicians' Union in Britain since 1978.
Publications I've written many programme notes and a few articles for an online magazine. During the '90s I was also a Music Assessor for London Arts and as such regularly wrote critiques of concerts given by recipients of Arts Council funding.
Education/Credentials MA in European Cultural Policy & Administration (Warwick University, 1994)
B Mus with Honours (London University, 1977)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration (City University, 1982)
Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music in Piano Teaching (1976)
Licentiate of Royal Academy of Music in Harpsichord Teaching (1978)
Studied RAM Junior School (1966-74), then as full-time student (1974-78).
Question QUESTION: Thanks for answering my question to the best of your ability; it is a tough one indeed and I will let you know if I suss out the word.
ANSWER: I've been thinking about this all day, and I'm baffled. You're saying it's when a small group of instruments/voices sounds as if it's larger than it really is? Then they can only be dividing the parts, playing very loudly or they're artificially amplified by the recording engineer, surely - what other circumstances are there?
If inspiration strikes me in the middle of the night I'll let you know tomorrow.
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QUESTION: It's the phenomenon where the combination of the voices or instruments -- say, 5 or 6 -- create the impression that the sound is coming from a much larger group of instruments or voices. I believe it is the way each voice/ instrument plays off the other to create this sense of greater breadth, richness and depth.
ANSWER: Stuart, are you talking about close harmony? Counterpoint (the parts are weaving together)? Homophony (they're all playing the same rhythm so it's a series of block chords)?
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QUESTION: Yes, I've looked at all these and those aren't the right words. It's a single word, though. It's so tormenting... kind of like the brain equivalent of a poppyseed that you can't quite dislodge from your mouth. LOL...
Answer Hello Stuart, and thank you for ruining my weekend <g>.
I phoned my mum (retired professional musician) yesterday to see what she could come up with. The only suggestion she could make was, are you thinking of harmonics or overtones?
The problem is, neither of us can think of any situation where a small group of instruments would sound larger. We agree that, whatever word you're thinking of, you possibly haven't got the definition right, but we can't come up with anything that comes anywhere close.
Sorry I couldn't help - PLEASE let me know what the wretched word is once you or someone else think of it!
Stuart, after all this time I think I've found it! Are you by any chance talking about barbershop quartet singing? Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbershop_music - I think you're talking about the "ringing chord".
I've never come across this term before. Do let me know if I'm right - this has been nagging me for months.
