Download 3. Elements of Music

W THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC - 9 W
1) MELODY
THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC ARE..:
1) MELODY
2) HARMONY
3) FORM
4) TEXTURE
 A SERIES OF PITCHES INTENDED TO BE HEARD AS A UNIT
(HORIZONTAL)
Shape:
Conjunct - melody moves mainly by step
(smooth) [sketch]
Disjunct - melody moves mainly by leap (jagged)
[sketch]
5) DYNAMICS
Range: wide or narrow
6) RHYTHMS
Keys (different combinations of pitches):
major - `happy’ sounding
minor - `sad’ sounding
diatonic - uses notes within a major/minor key
chromatic - uses any notes
7) TIMBRE
2) HARMONY
3) FORM
 RESULT OF NOTES PLAYED AT THE SAME TIME
(VERTICAL)
 HOW A PIECE IS ORGANIZED
STRUCTURES:
Interval: 2 Notes
Chords: 3+ notes (3 notes = triad)
SOUND:
Consonant = Pleasant Sounding
Dissonant = Harsh Sounding
CHORDS:
Major = “happy sounding”
Minor = “sad sounding”
MUSIC IS ORGANIZED INTO BARS, PHRASES AND SYSTEMS.
PHRASES = MUSICAL SENTENCES
LARGER FORMS:
Binary (AB) – eg. Row Row Row
Ternary (ABA) – eg. Twinkle Twinkle
Theme and Variations (A1 A2 A3 A4… )
Strophic – Repeated Verses
DIRECTIONS:
D.S. / (sign)
D.C.
Fine
Coda (added section at the end of the piece)
1st/2nd endings
Repeat signs
Measure Repeat signs
THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
4) TEXTURE
 HOW MANY DIFFERENT LAYERS OF SOUND ARE HEARD
5) DYNAMICS
 HOW LOUD OR SOFT
AT ONCE
Thick vs. Thin
Simple vs. Complex
3 TYPES:
Monophonic = one melody
Homophonic = melody with accompaniment
Polyphonic = many melodies at the same time
pp = pianissimo (very soft)
p = piano (soft)
mp = mezzo piano (medium – soft)
mf = mezzo forte (medium – loud)
f = forte (loud/full)
ff= fortissimo (very loud/full)
< = crescendo (gradually getting louder)
> = decrescendo or diminuendo ( gradually getting
softer)
Articulations:
. (staccato) – light/short/ detached
- (tenuto) – hold the note for the full value
> (accent) – emphasize a note/articulate it more
^ (marcato) – strong accent & short
Slur (not articulated)
6) RHYTHM
 HOW NOTES ARE PLACED IN TIME
TEMPO
 HOW FAST OR SLOW
(fastest to slowest)
Vivace – Lively… Very fast
Allegro - Fast
Moderato – Moderately
Fast
Andante – Walking speed
Adagio – Somewhat slowly
Lento - Slow
Largo – Very Slow
ritardando (rit.)
rallentando (rall.)
accelerando(accel.)
M.M. q = 120

METER
HOW BEATS ARE
ORGANIZED
The Time Signature
indicates how the beats are
organized in each bar
(meter).
3 - number of beats in bar
4 - value of each beat (q )
Common time signatures
include:
4 322 6
4 442 8
7) TIMBRE
 OR TONE COLOUR - THE QUALITY OR TYPE OF SOUND
Timbre is influenced by a number of factors:
 size, shape and proportions
 material
 manner in which the vibration is set up
 range
 acoustics
Families/Groups of Instruments
Woodwinds
Brass
Percussion
Strings
Keyboard/Electronic
Vocal
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