Download The Structures and Purposes of the Art Forms Music

The Structures and Purposes of
the Art Forms
Music
Elements of Music
• Melody—The main theme or part of a musical
composition, the tune, or the organized progression of
single tones/pitches.
• Harmony—Two or more different notes played or sung
simultaneously.
• Rhythm—A combination of long and short pulses and
rests in music.
• Tempo—Speed of the beat or pulse.
• Dynamics—Degrees of loudness and softness.
• Timbre/Tone Color—The quality of sound as
determined by the instruments or voices that are
performing the music.
• Form—The structure of a musical composition, how it is
organized, the way a composition is put together.
Every Good Boy Does Fine.
FACE
The treble clef generally is used for higher-pitched
instruments and voices, such as the violin, flute,
trumpet, and female voices (sopranos and altos).
The lower part of the clef curves around line 2 of
the staff , which is G, or the G above middle C.
This is why the treble clef is also known as the G
clef.
Good Boys Don’t Fight Anyone.
All Cows Eat Grass.
The bass clef generally is used for lower-pitched
instruments and voices, such as string bass, tuba,
bassoon, and male voices (tenor and bass). The
upper part of the clef sign curves around line 4 of
the staff , which is F, or the F below middle C. This
is why the bass clef is alsoknown as the F clef.
Harmony
Harmony is two or more different notes played or sung at the same
time. A chord, which is a combination of three or more notes played
simultaneously, is an example of harmony. Another aspect of harmony
is texture, or the thickness of sound. The three textures are
monophonic, homophonic, and polyphonic.
Monophonic- (one sound) music is performed in unison; everyone
sings or plays the same notes at the same time.
Homophonic- (same sound) music has multiple or different parts being
sung or played simultaneously. An example of homophonic
music can be found in a church hymn, where harmony is used but all
singers have the same words at the same time.
Polyphonic- (many sounds) music has multiple, independent parts that
are sung or played simultaneously. All parts are of equal importance.
Examples of polyphonic music are rounds (canon), madrigals and
motets of the Renaissance period, and fugues of the Baroque period.
Rhythm
Rhythm is defined as patterns of sounds and
silences that make music move through time.
In order to read music, a person needs to
understand both rhythmic and pitch notation.
Tempo
Tempo- is the speed of the beat in music.
Traditional tempo markings are indicated
using Italian terms. These are the most
familiar tempo markings:
• Allegro—Fast
• Moderato—Moderate
• Adagio—Slow
• Largo—Very slow
Dynamics
 Dynamics are degrees of loudness or softness
(volume) and the intensity of sound. Dynamics
are designated by a set of symbols based on
two Italian words, forte (strong or loud) and
piano (soft). The chart below shows the most
common dynamic markings.
 pp pianissimo very soft
 p piano soft
 mp mezzo piano moderately soft
 mf mezzo forte moderately loud
 f forte loud
 ff fortissimo very loud
Timbre/Tone Color
 The timbre or tone color is the
distinctive sound of each instrument or
voice. Certain instruments or families of
instruments have sound qualities that best
create certain moods, feelings, and
emotions.
Form
 Form in music refers to the structure or
design of a musical composition. When
determining the form of a musical
composition, we look at the organization
of verses, movements, and sections and
compare what is alike and what is
different.
Rondo form has a main theme (A), which
returns throughout the work.
 Theme and variation is a compositional
form where a basic musical idea is
repeated over and over but is changed
each time the musical idea is repeated.
 With call and response, a leader or lead
group sings or plays a phrase; then others
(audience) sing or play the phrase back.

Round (canon)—A simple melody
performed by a different singer or group
of singers starting at different times. An
example is “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
Verse and chorus (verse and refrain)—
Verses with the same melody but different
words, ending with a refrain or chorus
each time that has the same melody and
words.
Overture—This is the music played by the
orchestra before the curtain opens for the first
act. It usually contains a medley of all of the
important themes sung during the production.
Aria—An aria is the song sung by a principal
character in the opera. It is the main vehicle for
the character to express emotions.
Recitative—This is the sung dialogue between
the performers that moves the plot along. It
does not contain the variation of pitch and
movement of the melody line that is present in
the arias. It is like sung speech.
Opera- is a combination of music and
theatre. Sometimes it is called the
complete art form since it involves a story
sung on stage with sets, costumes, lights,
and an orchestra