"The Elements of Music" An Introduction

The Elements of Music

Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time

The Elements of Music Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time Melody = pitch line + rhythm

The Elements of Music Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time Melody = pitch line + rhythm Harmony = the simultaneous sounding of pitches

The Elements of Music Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time Melody = pitch line + rhythm Harmony = the simultaneous sounding of pitches Form = the architecture or structure of a piece of music

The Elements of Music Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time Melody = pitch line + rhythm Harmony = the simultaneous sounding of pitches Form = the architecture or structure of a piece of music Timbre = the color or quality of sound in music

The Elements of Music Rhythm = the relationship of sounds in time Melody = pitch line + rhythm Harmony = the simultaneous sounding of pitches Form = the architecture or structure of a piece of music Timbre = the color or quality of sound in music Dynamics = the gradations of loudness and softness in music

Rhythm The relationship of sounds in time

Rhythm - Tempo The pace (speed) of music

Rhythm - Meter Organization of rhythm into beats, groups of beats, and divisions of beats. Meters may be duple, triple, quadruple, mixed, or odd. Each of these may be simple (two divisions per beat) or compound (three divisions per beat).

Rhythm - Meter Signature 2/4duple-simple 3/4triple-simple 4/4quadruple-simple 4/4 6/8mixed meter 6/8duple-compound 9/8triple-compound 12/8quadruple-compound 5/4odd meter

Rhythm - Syncopation The emphasis of off-beats or of beats that are not usually accented. (Off-beats occur not at the beginning of a beat, but on a division of the beat.)

Melody Pitch line and rhythm

Melody Pitch line = the sequence of pitches in a melody. Combined with a specific rhythm, the pitch line forms the melody. Contour = the shape of a melody, as determined by aspects of ascending/descending motion, conjunct/disjunct motion, and melodic climax.

Melody Motivic development = taking a small idea (motive) and working with it to create an integrated melody. Range = the distance (interval) from the lowest note to the highest note of a melody.

Melody Melodic climax = the highest note of the melody. Scale content = the scales or modes used to create a melody (for example, major, melodic minor, pentatonic).

Melody Scale tones = the notes of a scale, identified as root, second, third, etc. Consonance/dissonance = the balance of notes in a melody that create moments of relative tension and resolution.

Harmony The simultaneous sounding of pitches

Harmony Interval = the relationship between two pitches, as defined by quality (for example, major, diminished) and quantity (for example, third, fifth). Chord = three or more different pitches sounded together.

Harmony Triad = a three-note chord, containing a root, third, and fifth. Seventh chord = a four note chord, containing a root, third, fifth, and seventh.

Harmony Functional harmony = the system by which different chords relate to each other in a particular key. Chords in a key are defined by Roman numeral (for example, I, ii, iii). Chord progression = the movement of chords as they change during a piece of music.

Form The architecture or structure of a piece of music Form is rhythm at its largest level

Form Repetition/contrast = the alternation of elements that are familiar versus new (for example, melodic themes). Phrase = a short part of a piece of music, usually equivalent to what a person can sing or play in one breath.

Form Section = two or more phrases that combine to make a musical statement. –In classical music, this may be referred to as a period. –In pop music, this may be referred to as a verse, a chorus, or a bridge.

Form Form model = any of the standard forms used to define the overall architectural structure of a piece of music. –In classical music, these include rondo and sonata-allegro form. –In pop music, these include AB and AABA.

Timbre The tone color or quality of sound in music

Timbre Vibration = the back-and-forth movement of anything that produces sound. Frequency = the rate (speed) of vibration.

Timbre Fundamental = the basic, lowest frequency in a musical sound, which defines the pitch. Overtones = the frequencies above the fundamental that determine the color (timbre) of a sound.

Timbre Instrumentation (a.k.a. orchestration) = the specific combination of instruments and/or voices used in a piece of music. Texture = the interrelationship of the different parts in a piece of music, in terms of melody, accompaniment, bass line, etc.

Dynamics The gradations of loudness and softness in music

Dynamics piano = soft forte = loud mezzo = medium crescendo = getting louder decrescendo (diminuendo) = getting softer