Chapter 1 - Music Fundamentals

Aspects of sound

Properties that are fundamental to the elements of sound and music

Aspects of sound are

• Pitch (Frequency) - Wavelength

• Dynamic (Amplitude) - Wave height

• Timbre (Tone color) - Waveform

• Articulation - Envelope

• Duration

Pitch (Frequency)

Wavelength

Dynamic (Amplitude)

Wave height

Timbre (Tone color)

Waveform

Articulation

Envelope

Wavelength

The distance between one wave and the next. It’s related to the frequency and the pitch.

Frequency

The rate of vibration measured in times per second called Hertz.

The higher the frequency

the higher the pitch and the shorter the wavelength.

Height

The size of each individual wave

Amplitude

The length of the wave. It determines the loudness of the sound.

Waveform

The shape and form of the sound wave as it moves in distance and frequency

Timbre

Unique qualities of sound produces by the shape of the waveform

Envelope

Composed of a sounds attack, sustain, and release

Articulation

The manner in which we begin the note, sustain it, and end the note

Duration

The length of time sound and silence last

Staf (Staves)

Where most music is written. A space of five lines and four spaces.

* Lines and spaces are numbered from bottom to top.

Clefs

What determines the names of the lines and spaces used

• Soprano

• Mezzo soprano

• Alto

• Tenor

• Baritone

C clef

Sign used for all of the previously mentioned vocal ranges

Movable C clef

The clef that locates middle C and moves around from line to line to designate range

Alto clef

When the C clef is placed on the third line of the staff

Tenor clef

When the C clef is placed on the fourth line of the staff

Treble clef

When the G clef is placed on the second line of the staff

Bass clef

When the F clef is placed on the fourth line of the staff

System

When multiple staves are connected together by bar lines, brackets, or a brace

Neutral clef

Used for rhythm only or for pitchless or untuned instruments such as triangle, cymbals, or tambourine

Ledger lines

Small lines that extend the staff while still keeping the five lines and four spaces intact

Half step

The smallest space or distance between notes

Sharp

Raises the pitch one half step above its natural pitch

Flat

Lowers the pitch one half step below its natural pitch

Enharmonic equivalent

When notes sound the same but are named differently

Natural

The musical symbol that cancels out a flat or a sharp

Double sharp

Musical symbol used to raise a pitch by two half steps

Double flat

Musical symbol that lowers the pitch by two half steps

parts of a musical note

• Head

• Stem

• Flag

• Beam

Note head

Body of the note

Stem

Part of a note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than the whole note

Flag

Part of the note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than a quarter note

Music notation symbols

Bar line

Measure

Double bar line

Final bar line

Bar line

The vertical line that divides the staff into measures

Measure

The unit of space between the bar lines

Double bar line

Two lines that signal the end of a section of music

Final bar line

Indicates the end of the piece or composition