The Elements of Music An Introduction The Elements

"The Elements of Music" An Introduction

The Elements of Music

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 • • 2/4 3/4 4/4 6/8 9/8 12/8 5/4 duple-simple triple-simple quadruple-simple mixed meter duple-compound triple-compound quadruple-compound odd 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, 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