unit 1 – fundamentals of music mr. jackson ap music theory v
TRANSCRIPT
Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Music
Mr. JacksonAP Music Theory
First Found Music Notation• Found in a Cuneiform Tablet about 2000 BC in today’s Iraq.• Ancient Greece – used notation for Pitch AND time. Original stone at Delphi (See Below)
Modern Notation
Aspects of SoundSound has….
Aspects of SoundWavelength
Wavelength is the distance between one wave and the
next.
Shorter wavelengths produce higher pitches
Frequency is the rate of vibration measured in “times per
second” – called Hertz.
For example: when a violinist plays an A string – the
string vibrates back and forth 440 times per second, or
440 Hertz (Hz)
The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch – and the
shorter the wavelength
Aspects of SoundWave height
Wave height refers to the “height” or “intensity” of the
wave.
This is the Amplitude of the wave.
In music, we refer to this as the Dynamic Level or
Loudness.
Aspects of SoundWaveform
Wave height refers to the shape of the save as it moves,
producing its Unique Quality.
Timbre refers to the specific quality of sound.
Is made of more than one frequency
(HARMONICS/OVERTONES)
Example: Singing an A vs. Playing an A on the piano
(Same pitch – but they sound different.)
Aspects of SoundEnvelope
Envelope refers to the sound’s ATACK, SUSTAIN, and
RELEASE.
We know this as Articulation in music.
Aspects of SoundDuration
Duration is the LENGTH OF TIME sound and silence lasts.
The Staff and ClefsThe Staff
Music is written on a Staff (STAVES for plural). Originally, we
only had 4 lines on our staff (In Gregorian Chant time) – but
now we have 5 Lines.
At first, Movable C Clefs were used at a time when music
was mostly a single line of melody. (MONOPHONIC)
Clefs originally conformed to Vocal Ranges.
The Staff and ClefsClefs
When music became increasingly more complex, with
multiple layers and different lines being played at the same
time, such as in POLYPHONIC MUSIC…
One clef fore all female voices bean to be used (Above
Middle C) was used: The Treble Clef
The Bass Clef was used for Male Voices
When we use the Treble Clef and Bass Clef together it is
called The Grand Staff.
Note: The Grand Staff uses the lines and spaces to navigate through the Musical Alphabet (A-G), continuing with Ledger Lines in both directions!
The Staff and ClefsClefs (Cont..)
Although most instruments use either the Treble of Bass Clef,
some instruments regularly read Movable C Clefs or other
clefs to avoid excessive ledger lines.
Viola players commonly read AltoClef
Trombone, Bassoon, and Cello players will often play
TenorClef .
Percussionists often read from The Neutral Clef
Remember that with Movable C Clefs, the center of the clef designates where Middle C is!
The Staff and ClefsClefs (Cont..)
The Staff and ClefsOctave Designation
The Staff and ClefsLedger Lines
Ledger Lines extend the staff in either direction.
Pitch & AccidentalsAccidentals
Accidentals alter pitch in some form.
Flats lower a pitch by a Half Step.
Sharps raise a pitch by a Half Step.
Double Sharps raise a pitch by a Whole Step.
Double Flats lower a pitch by a Whole Step.
Natural Signs CANCEL out any Sharps or Flats.
Pitch & AccidentalsThe Piano
The Piano is a great and effective visualization of
how Western Music organizes whole and half
steps.
Pitch & AccidentalsEnharmonics
Enharmonic Equivalents are two notes that sound
alike but have two different names.
Music NotationElements & Rules
Interval- the distance between two notes.