Music Theory, Art, and Literature: Key Concepts and Terms

Melody

The main tune of a piece of music

Harmony

Chords that support the melody

Rhythm

The beat and timing of music

Timbre

The unique sound quality of an instrument

Texture

How many layers of sound are in music

Form

The structure of a musical piece

Major

A scale or sound that is bright and happy

Minor

A scale or sound that is dark or sad

Wind Instruments

Instruments played by blowing air (ex: flute, trumpet)

String Instruments

Instruments that use vibrating strings (ex: violin, guitar)

Percussion Instruments

Instruments that are struck or shaken (ex: drums)

Symphony Orchestra Sections

Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion

Concert Band

Ensemble with winds and percussion, no strings

Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble that includes strings, winds, brass, percussion

Polyphonic

Multiple independent melodies at once

Homophonic

One main melody with accompaniment

Jazz Band Setup

Rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) + brass + saxophones

Line

A mark that connects two points

Shape

A flat, enclosed space

Form

A 3D object with volume

Color

Light reflected off objects

Texture

How something feels or appears to feel

Space

Area around or within objects

Primary Colors (Painting)

Red, Blue, Yellow

Primary Colors (Printing)

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Secondary Colors

Colors made by mixing primary colors

Complementary Colors

Colors opposite each other on the color wheel

Drawing

Art made with lines (pencil, pen)

Painting

Art using pigments and color

Sculpture

3D art made from materials

Architecture

Designing buildings

Printmaking

Transferring images from one surface to another

Photography

Capturing images with a camera

Linear Perspective

Technique to create depth in art

Vanishing Point

Point where lines meet in the distance

Body

The dancer's physical movement

Space

The area where movement occurs

Time

Speed and rhythm of movement

Energy

The force or quality of movement

Rhythm (Poetry)

The flow of words

Meter

Pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables

Imagery

Descriptive language that creates mental pictures

Rhyme

Repetition of similar sounds

Structure

Organization of lines and stanzas

Common Meter

Alternating lines of 8 and 6 syllables

Long Meter

Four lines of 8 syllables each

Iambic Pentameter

10 syllables with unstressed-stressed pattern

Ancient

Before 500 AD

Medieval

500 through 1400

Renaissance

1400 through 1600, realistic and balanced

Baroque

1600 through 1750, dramatic and emotional

Classical

1750 through 1820, simple and structured

Romantic

1800 through 1900, emotional and expressive

Modern

1900-present, experimental and abstract

Common Practice Period

Time of shared musical rules and styles

Baroque Period

Complex and ornate music

Classical Period

Clear and balanced music

Romantic Period

Emotional and expressive music

Early Modern

Transition to new experimental styles

Ethical Integrity -Whether art is morally good or harmful

Functional Fit

Whether art achieves its purpose

Worldview Integration

Whether art aligns with beliefs

Unity

All parts work together

Diversity

Variety in elements

Fittingness

Everything belongs

Intensity

Emotional strength or impact