Music Fundamentals I: Pitch, Rhythm, Meter, and Expression

Pitch

The highness or lowness of a sound, determined by the frequency of the sound wave.

Tone

A musical sound with a definite pitch.

Intensity

The loudness or volume of the sound (amplitude).

Timbre

The tone color or quality of the sound.

Staff

A set of five horizontal lines and four spaces used for writing music.

Grand Staff

Combines two staves joined by a brace, typically using treble and bass clefs.

G Clef

Also known as Treble Clef, identifies the second line as G4.

F Clef

Also known as Bass Clef, identifies the fourth line as F3.

C Clef

A movable clef indicating Middle C; used for different vocal ranges.

Accidentals

Symbols that alter the pitch of a note (sharp, flat, natural, etc.).

Sharp (♯)

Raises a pitch by one half step.

Flat (♭)

Lowers a pitch by one half step.

Natural (♮)

Cancels a previous sharp or flat.

Double Sharp (x)

Raises a pitch by two half steps.

Double Flat (♭♭)

Lowers a pitch by two half steps.

Hemiola

A shift in the rhythmic pulse from one division of time to another.

Syncopation

Stressing the weak beat or the off-beat.

Whole Note

A note that lasts for four beats.

Half Note

A note that lasts for two beats.

Quarter Note

A note that lasts for one beat.

Eighth Note

A note that lasts for half a beat.

Sixteenth Note

A note that lasts for a quarter of a beat.

Tie

A curved line connecting two notes of the same pitch, combining their values.

Dot (.)

A symbol that adds half the value of a note to its duration.

Meter

Grouping of beats into regular patterns called measures.

Time Signature

Two numbers at the start of a piece indicating beats per measure and beat unit.

Simple Meter

Meter where the beat is divisible by two.

Compound Meter

Meter where the beat is divisible by three.

Asymmetrical Meter

Meters with unequal beat lengths, often combining simple and compound beats.

Diatonic Half Step

A half step between different letter names (e.g., C to D♭).

Chromatic Half Step

A half step between the same letter name (e.g., C to C♯).

Major Scale Pattern

Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half.

Scale Degree

A functional name describing the relationship of a note to the tonic.

Tonic

The home note of a scale; stable and foundational.

Leading Tone

One half step below tonic; a strong pull up to resolution.

Key Signature

Arrangement of sharps or flats indicating which notes are altered.

Circle of Fifths

A diagram representing the relationships among the twelve major and minor keys.

Consonance

Stable, restful intervals in music.

Dissonance

Unstable, tense intervals that require resolution.

Tempo

The speed of the music, indicated using Italian terms.

Dynamics

The volume of the music, indicated by terms like piano and forte.

Articulation

The manner in which notes are played, such as staccato or legato.

Crescendo

A gradual increase in volume.

Decrescendo (Diminuendo)

A gradual decrease in volume.

Staccato

Short and detached notes.

Legato

Smooth and connected notes.

Marcato

A strong accent or emphasis on a note.

Fermata

Symbol indicating to hold a note longer than its indicated value.

Common Time

Shorthand for 4/4 time signature.

Cut Time

Shorthand for 2/2 time signature.

Enharmonic Equivalence

Notes that sound the same but are spelled differently.

Anacrusis

Notes preceding the first full measure of music.

Cross-rhythm (Polyrhythm)

Two different rhythmic pulses occurring simultaneously.