1. Basic Elements of Music

2. Elements of Music Dynamics Is the music soft or loud? Instrumentation
Meter
Tempo
Texture
Timbre
Is the music soft or loud?
What instruments/voices are used?
Are groups of 3 or 4 used?
Is the music fast or slow?
Is there harmony? How is it organized?
Is the music dark or brilliant; rich or mellow?

3. Dynamic Markings Pianissimo Very Soft Piano Soft Mezzo Piano
Moderately Soft
Mezzo Forte
Moderately Loud
Forte
Loud
Fortissimo
Very Loud
Decrescendo
Gradually Softer
Crescendo
Gradually Louder

4. Instrument Families Woodwind Brass String Percussion Flute Trumpet
Violin/Fiddle
Drum
Clarinet
Trombone
Double Bass
Piano
Saxophone
French Horn
Guitar
Marimba/ Xylophone
Oboe
Tuba
Banjo
Bells
Bassoon
Euphonium
Dulcimer
Triangle

5. Meter Basic Time Signatures 4/4 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 3/4 1 & 2 & 3 & 6/8
or 1 &a 2 &a

6. Tempo Presto very fast (168–200 bpm) Allegro
fast and bright (120–168 bpm)
Allegretto
moderately fast
Moderato
moderately (108–120 bpm)
Andante
at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
Adagio
slow and stately (66–76 bpm)
Grave
slow and solemn
Lento
very slow (40–60 bpm)

7. Texture Simple Same rhythm played by all musicians Complex
Different rhythm played by each musician
Monophonic
One melodic line without harmonic accompaniment
Polyphonic
Multiple melodic voices which are independent from one another
Homophonic
multiple voices in which the melody and other voices form a background of harmonic accompaniment. All parts have very similar rhythm.
Heterophonic
two or more voices simultaneously performing variations of the same melody

8. Tempo Presto very fast (168–200 bpm) Allegro
fast and bright (120–168 bpm)
Allegretto
moderately fast
Moderato
moderately (108–120 bpm)
Andante
at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
Adagio
slow and stately (66–76 bpm)
Grave
slow and solemn
Lento
very slow (40–60 bpm)

9. Timbre (tone color) dark – brilliant opaque - transparent
rich - mellow
fuzzy - clear
dull - sharp
complex - simple