8 Elements of Music Notes

Timbre

The quality of sound that distinguishes one voice or instrument from another

Dynamics

The element of musical expression relating to the degree of loudness or softness, or volume of sound

Pitch

Highness or lowness of a sound

Melody

A series of notes perceived by the mind as a unit (“tune”)

Harmony

The sounding of two or more musical notes at the same time, producing a desired sound

Dissonance

Sounds popularly perceived as unstable

Consonance

Sounds popularly perceived as stable

Form

The ways a composition is structured to create a meaningful musical experience

3 Components of a Song form

Verse, Chorus, Bridge

Improvisation

Exercising flexibility with given material

Sonata Form

A musical structure that makes little changes in the melody and consists of Exposition- State the theme, Development- Explore the theme, Recapitulation- Return to the theme

Rhythm

The relationship of sound durations

What is a Beat?

Regular pulsation of sound

What is tempo?

Speed of the beat

What is accent?

An emphasized beat

What is meter?

A grouping of beats (within each other)

Texture

How the Melodic, Harmonic, and Rhythmic elements are combined determining the overall quality of sound in a piece

3 Types of Musical Texture

Monophony: Characterized by a single, unaccompanied melodic line

Polyphony: Involves two or more melodic lines played at the same time

Homophony: Main melody is supported by one or more additional chords that provide harmony

Aerophone

Musical instruments where sound is primarily produced by a vibrating column of air

Chordophone

Musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of stretched strings

Membranophone

A musical instrument in which sound is primarily produced by a vibrating, stretched membrane

Idiophone

An instrument the whole of which vibrates to produce a sound when struck