1. Rhythm 1.1. Basic rhythmsBasic rhythms 1.2. Rhythmic formulasRhythmic formulas 2. Melody 2.1. Diatonic scaleDiatonic scale Relative keys Degrees of the scale 2.2. Structure of melodyStructure of melody 2.3. Melodic motionMelodic motion Index of the book Index of the book

3. Harmony 3.1. Consonance and dissonanceConsonance and dissonance 3.2. ChordsChords 3.3. Main chordsMain chords 3.4. CadencesCadences 4. Texture 4.1. Horizontal writing (based on melody) Vertical writing (based on harmony)Vertical writing (based on harmony) Index of the book Index of the book

Rhythm 1.1. Basic rhythms We define rhythm as the order of sounds and rests along the timeline. Binary rhythm Ternary rhythm Sequence of two beats; a strong one first and then a weak one. Sequence of three beats; a strong one first, then a weak one and third one even weaker than the second.

Rhythm 1.2. Rhythmic formulas The regular rhythm of a time signature can be enhanced using rhythmic formulas or special resources. Irregular rhythmic groupings: They allow to give note values different lengths than usual. The most common irregular rhythmic grouping is the triplet. Accents: They are placed above or below the notes in order to reinforce its interpretation, regardless of the strong beat of the measure. Syncopation: It is the continuation of a strong note until a part of the measure in which it should be weak. Off-beat: When the note is performed after a rest in a beat that is stronger than the note itself.

Melody 2.1. Diatonic scale We call melody the lineal sequence of pitches of sound that expresses a musical idea. The diatonic major scale follows the pattern of the C natural scale. Therefore, the semitones are between the degrees III-IV and VII-VIII. The diatonic minor scale follows the pattern of the A natural scale. Therefore, the semitones are between the degrees II-III and V-VI.

Melody 2.1. Diatonic scale Relative keys Major and minor scales within the same tonality, with the same notes, and with the same accidentals, are called relative keys.

Melody 2.1. Diatonic scale Degrees of the scale Hierarchic order of degrees or notes of the scale.

Melody 2.3. Structure of melody Motif: it is a small group of notes with musical meaning. Phrase: it is a melody with actual meaning, which ends in a cadence. Cadence: it is used to separate different musical phrases. Theme: it is the melody that becomes the core of a musical piece.

Melody 2.4. Melodic motion Melodic motion is the line or direction that the notes follow in a melody: the «melodic sierra» that the different pitches of sound form. Horizontal: when the melodic line barely moves, using repeated notes. Ascending: if the melody turns from low to high. Descending: if the melody turns from high to low. Conjunt: when the melody smoothly fluctuates around a base note. Disjunt: if it moves creating peaks with wide intervals. Symmetric: when we find the highest point in the middle of the melody.

Harmony 3.1. Consonance and dissonance Harmony is based on the same qualities of sound as melody: pitch and duration. But, while melody is the order of consecutive sounds, harmony consists of the order of simultaneous sounds. Consonance: when two sounds are perceived in a balanced way and they complement each other as if they were a single sound. Dissonance: when two sounds are perceived with tension or they seem to clash against each other.

Harmony 3.2. Chords The basic element of harmony is the chord, made by overlapping three or more simultaneous sounds. Chords are formed overlapping 3rd intervals over a bass note that we call fundamental. Most of our music is based on the three-sound chord that we call triad chord.

Harmony 3.4. Main chords The most important chords within a key are also the Tonic, Subdominant and Dominant, that is, those formed upon the degrees I, IV and V of the scale..

Harmony 3.5. Cadences Perfect cadence: it has an entirely conclusive meaning, indicating the end with a sequence of Dominant and Tonic chords. Semicadence: it indicates a point of rest in the Dominant to serve as a link with another phrase. The harmonic cadence is the point of rest. It is used to separate the different musical ideas or to indicate the end of a piece.

Texture Texture is the musical weave or fabric of a piece; the result of the disposition of its different parts or voices. Monodic or monophonic texture: it consists of one melodic line. Although several performers take part, everyone does it at once. Counterpoint or polyphonic texture: it consists of several melodic lines that sound at once. The voices are independent from each other and imitation is often used. Horizontal writing (based on melody)

Texture Accompanied melody texture: it consists of a main melody accompanied by other voices with chords. Homophonic texture: it is a type of harmonic texture in which the voices move at once creating blocks of chords. Vertical writing (based on harmony)

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