Music - Elements of Music

Tempo

Describes the speed of the pulse in music

Dynamics

Refers to the relative volume of music

Timbre

Refers to the unique sound quality of different sounds, voices and instruments

Mood

Refers to the feeling or emotion evoked by a piece of music

Tonality

An element that makes a piece of music sound happy and bright, or sad and dark

Major

A piece with this sound will happy and bright

Minor

A piece with this sound will sad and dark

Texture

Refers to the different layers a song or piece of music has

Monophonic

A piece that has only one melody

Homophonic

A piece with one melody and a supporting accompaniment, both playing at the same time

Polyphonic

A piece that has two or more melodies playing at the same time

Very Loud

Fortissimo - ff

Loud

Forte - f

Moderately loud

Mezzo forte - mf

Moderately soft

Mezzo piano - mp

Soft

Piano - p

Very soft

Pianissimo - pp

Getting louder

Crescendo - <

Getting softer

Diminuendo - >

Very fast

Presto

Fast

Allegro

Moderate speed

Moderato

Andante

At a walking pace

Largo

Slow