1. Elements of Music

2. Melody Single line of notes heard in succession as unit Phrases Cadences—Points of arrival/rest Conjunct vs. disjunct motion Contour: upward or downward movement or both Scales major and minor modes Tonic Melodic intervals

3. Harmony Harmonic Interval Chord: three or more notes sounding simultaneously A melody can be harmonized (using chords) in more than one way Tonic--serves as a “home base” Meter: underlying pattern of beats Beats group into measures Duple vs. Triple meter Rhythm

4. Acoustics and Timbre Pitch: Highness or lowness of sound Based on frequency—number of oscillations/second Dynamics: Loudness or softness of sound Based on amplitude or size of sound wave Notated: p (piano) = soft; f (forte) = loud Timbre: Unique sound of each instrument Created by overtones, or partials in the sound wave.

5. Texture Monophonic: one single melodic line with no accompaniment Homophonic: A single melodic line with accompaniment Melody stands out above accompaniment Polyphonic: Multiple melodies of equal importance

6. Musical Form Three strategies: Repetition Variation Contrast Subunits of form are designated using letters. E.g.. ABC, ABAA', or AA'B

7. Word/Music Relationships Word painting using musical elements to “describe” a word or phrase Often the structure of the poetry matches the form of the work Repetitions/variations/contrasts in the poetry may correspond to repetitions/variations/contrasts in the music

8. Genre Categorization by performance medium (solo voices, choir, orchestra, string quartet, band, etc.) social function. Sets up expectations in the listener