Elements of Music & More!

Music is all around us. Can you imagine a world without music?

There are 7 elements of music. Rhythm Tempo Melody Harmony Form Dynamics Timbre

1. Rhythm Rhythm has to do with timing. This involves how fast or slow notes are played and the way in which notes are spaced. This creates a pattern. Duration refers to how long you hold a note whether you play or sing it. The time signature in music refers to the number and type of notes in each measure.

2. Tempo Tempo is how fast or slow the music is sung or played. Tempo in music is written in Italian. “Allegro” means fast “Adagio” means slow

3. Melody The melody is a pattern of notes that catch your ear when played or sung. Pitch is how high or low the notes are sung or played.

4. Harmony Harmony is the musical part that people don’t usually sing along with. Harmony notes are different from the melody notes. Voices that sing very high notes are soprano singers. Voices singing very low notes are bass singers. Those in the middle are altos and tenors. These are 4 parts of harmony.

5. Form Musical form is the organization of the music. AB organization has two different parts. Example – Verse/chorus songs ABA organization has three parts. The first and last are similar and the middle is different. Call and Response organization is like a question and answer. Round organization is when everyone plays or sings the same melody, but they begin and end at different times. Example - “Row,Row,Row, Your Boat”.

6. Dynamics Dynamics in music means how loud or soft the music is played or sung. Italian language has been used by musicians for years to show the music dynamics. “Piano” “p” means soft. “Mezzo piano” “mp” means medium soft. “Mezzo forte” “mf” means medium loud. “Forte” “f” means loud.

7. Timbre Timbre is the sound made by voices or instruments. Timbre is used to affect feelings in listeners or to make listeners think of a certain thing. For example the sound of a flute is light and happy. In “Peter and the Wolfe” the flute is used to make its listeners think of a flying bird.

Musical Instruments The most common instruments in the United States are the piano and guitar

The Orchestra An orchestra is a formally organized group of people who play instruments and are led by a conductor. The conductor stands in front of the group and uses a baton or short stick to keep the beat. Orchestra instruments are divided into 4 groups – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

Strings Instruments made of wood that have 4 strings. Violin Viola Cello Bass

Woodwinds Clarinet Oboe Flute Saxophone

Brass Trombone French Horn Trumpet Tuba Baritone

Percussion Xylophone Drums Cymbals

3 Reasons or Purposes for Creating Music Ceremonial – performed for celebrations, worship, or special occasions Recreational – performed for entertainment, games, dances, or social events Artistic - performed in a concert setting

Source: “Arts & Humanities – The Student Handbook” by Katie Carpenter & Eva Media