Download 4 - Edmodo

ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
When combined and used correctly, the elements of
music express emotion and provide us with “singable”,
enjoyable pieces that can represent time, place and
even become what we use to describe who we are and
what we represent.
Rhythm
• Definition: The patterns of long and short sounds and
silences in music.
• To create a rhythm combine any variety of notes (sounds)
and rests (silences) together (see next slide for value trees).
• Rhythms are performed throughout any piece
of music by any instrument, however, we can
most easily recognize a rhythm when it is
performed on a percussion instrument.
Value Trees
Note
….
Whole
Half
Quarter
Eighth
Rest
Beat
• Definition: A steady pulse contained in music.
(The beat is what makes you want to dance.)
• Music is organized with time signatures that
indicate how many beats are found within one
measure of music.
measure
• The top number of the time signature indicates how many beats
(pulses) will appear in one measure (bar) of music.
2
4
3
4
4
4
6
8
6 on top means 6 beats per bar
4 on top means 4 beats per bar
3 means 3…
2 means 2…
…etc.
Whole
Half
• The bottom number of the time signature indicates which
type of note represents the beat (pulse).
The 8 in 6/8 time means an eighth note receives one beat
2
4
3
4
4
4
6
8
The 4 in 4/4 time means a quarter note receives one beat
The time signature appears at the beginning of
the music after the
Time
Key
Clef
treble clef
High notes
or
bass clef.
Low notes
Tempo
• Definition: The pace or speed at which a piece of music is
performed.
• Tempo markings are traditionally given in Italian and the words
that refer to tempo can be categorized in the following ways:
SLOW
• Grave – (grah-vay) extremely slow and solemn
• Adagio – (ah-dahzh-oh) very slow
• Lento – (len-toe) slow
• Largo – (rhymes with cargo) slow and broad
• Larghetto – less slow than largo
MEDIUM
• Andante – (on-DON-tay) rather slow, moderate walking pace
• Andantino – (on-don-TEE-no) a little faster than andante
• Moderato – (mah-dur-AH-toe)
• Allegretto – (all-uh-GRET-toe) fairly quick, slightly slower than
allegro
FAST
• Con moto – (con MOE-toe) with movement, or a certain
quickness
• Allegro – (uh-LEG-grow) lively, rather quick
• Vivace – (viv-OTCH-ay) quick and lively
• Rapido – (RAP-ee-doe) rapid
• Presto – (PRESS-toe) very quick
• Prestissimo – (press-TEE-see-moe) as quick as possible
Other words that refer to Tempo
• Accelerando – (otch-ell-er-ON-doe) gradually getting quicker
• Meno mosso – (min-oh MOE-so) less movement, slower
• Ritardando – (ree-tar-DON-doe) gradually getting slower
• Rallentando – (rah-len-TON-doe) gradually getting slower
DYNAMICS
• Definition: The volume of the sound, as well as the style
in which the performer plays the instrument/music.
• It is important to not confuse how loud or soft something
is on a recorded performance. It is easy to change the
volume using an electronic device.
Dynamics
• When dynamics are discussed in music, we are referring to how
loud or soft each instrument can perform on its own, the
stylistic elements that support that sound and finally what
dynamics they can create when combining and performing as an
ensemble or orchestra.
Dynamics Terminology
Italian Term
Symbol
Translation
pianissimo
piano
pp (ppp)
P
As soft as possible
Soft
mezzo piano
mezzo forte
forte
fortissimo
mp
mf
f
ff (fff)
Medium soft
Medium loud
Loud
As loud as possible
Dynamics in Volume
Italian Terminology
Symbol, abbr.
Translation
Crescendo
Gradually louder
Decrescendo
Gradually softer
Sforzando
sfz -or- sf
Fortepiano
fp
Strongly accented
Loud, then immediately soft