Elements of Elements of MusicMusic

HarmonyHarmony Two or more notes togetherTwo or more notes together Chord – three or more notes at Chord – three or more notes at

one timeone time Triad – A three note chordTriad – A three note chord

FormForm Binary – AB form; music has two Binary – AB form; music has two

sectionssections Form – The way music is arrangedForm – The way music is arranged Call and Response – Soloist sings, then Call and Response – Soloist sings, then

congregation repeats or echoes what congregation repeats or echoes what the soloist sang. (Originated in Africa)the soloist sang. (Originated in Africa)

ABA – Ternary form; music has three ABA – Ternary form; music has three sections – the “A” section is played sections – the “A” section is played twicetwice

RhythmRhythm The way music is arranged in The way music is arranged in

time or organized into beatstime or organized into beats Time signature – (Also known as Time signature – (Also known as

meter) 2/4, ¾ , 4/4 meter) 2/4, ¾ , 4/4 4/4 – The top number tells you 4/4 – The top number tells you

how many beats are in each how many beats are in each measure. The bottom number measure. The bottom number tells you what kind of note gets tells you what kind of note gets the beat.the beat.

Rhythm ContinuedRhythm Continued

Duration – How long a note is held or Duration – How long a note is held or playedplayed

Whole note = 4 beatsWhole note = 4 beats Half note = 2 beatsHalf note = 2 beats Quarter note = 1 beatQuarter note = 1 beat Eighth note = ½ beatEighth note = ½ beat Sixteenth note = ¼ beatSixteenth note = ¼ beat Dot – Adds half of the note’s original Dot – Adds half of the note’s original

valuevalue

MelodyMelody One note at a timeOne note at a time The tune of a songThe tune of a song Sharp (#) – Raises a pitch one half stepSharp (#) – Raises a pitch one half step Flat (b) – Lowers a pitch one half stepFlat (b) – Lowers a pitch one half step Phrase – A musical sentencePhrase – A musical sentence Grand Staff – The bass and treble clef on Grand Staff – The bass and treble clef on

the two separate staffs, but are the two separate staffs, but are connected. Usually used with piano connected. Usually used with piano music.music.

TempoTempo How fast or slow the music isHow fast or slow the music is

Allegro- A fast tempoAllegro- A fast tempo Moderato – A medium tempoModerato – A medium tempo Largo – A slow tempoLargo – A slow tempo

DynamicsDynamics How loud or soft the music is.How loud or soft the music is. Pianissimo (pp) – very softPianissimo (pp) – very soft Piano (p) – softPiano (p) – soft Mezzo piano (mp) – medium softMezzo piano (mp) – medium soft Mezzo forte (mf) – medium loudMezzo forte (mf) – medium loud Forte (f) – LoudForte (f) – Loud Fortissimo (ff) – Very loudFortissimo (ff) – Very loud

Dynamics ContinuedDynamics Continued

Crescendo – gradually get louderCrescendo – gradually get louder Decrescendo – gradually get Decrescendo – gradually get

softersofter

TimbreTimbre

How different instruments and How different instruments and voices sound different from each voices sound different from each other.other.

Woodwind Woodwind FamilyFamily

ClarinetClarinet PiccoloPiccolo FluteFlute OboeOboe BassoonBassoon SaxophoneSaxophone

Brass FamilyBrass Family

TrumpetTrumpet TubaTuba French HornFrench Horn BaritoneBaritone TromboneTrombone

String FamilyString Family

ViolinViolin ViolaViola CelloCello BassBass

(Piano, harp)(Piano, harp)

PercussionPercussion Snare drumSnare drum XylophoneXylophone CymbalsCymbals TriangleTriangle Bass drumBass drum MarimbaMarimba PianoPiano

VoiceVoice

Soprano – Highest female voiceSoprano – Highest female voice Alto – Lowest female voiceAlto – Lowest female voice Tenor – Highest male voiceTenor – Highest male voice Bass – Lowest male voiceBass – Lowest male voice

Open Response Open Response QuestionQuestion List two elements that you think List two elements that you think

are the most importantare the most important– What does list mean?What does list mean?

Open Response, Part BOpen Response, Part B

Explain why these two elements Explain why these two elements are important. Give at least two are important. Give at least two examples of eachexamples of each– What does explain mean?What does explain mean?– How many examples is it asking for?How many examples is it asking for?

Open Response, Part COpen Response, Part C

Compare and Contrast these two Compare and Contrast these two elements. What would music be elements. What would music be like if these two elements did not like if these two elements did not exist?exist?– What does compare and contrast What does compare and contrast

mean?mean?– Describe what music would be like if Describe what music would be like if

these elements did not exist.these elements did not exist.