Elements of Music

Pitch

Highness or lowness of sounds.

Rhythm

Sounds and silences that are put together.

Melody

Combination of pitch and rhythm; pleasing series of musical notes.

Timbre

Enables listeners to distinguish different voices and instruments in the same category.

Dynamics

How loud or soft the music should be played.

• Crescendo

• Decrescendo

Crescendo (Dynamics)

Gradual increase in volume

Decrescendo (Dynamics)

Gradual decrease in volume

Texture

How sound is organized:

• Monophonic

• Homophonic

• Polyphonic

Tempo

Speed at which the music should be played.

Adagio (Tempo)

Slow

Andante (Tempo)

Moderately slow

Moderato (Tempo)

Moderate

Allegro (Tempo)

Fast