Elements of Music

These flashcards focus on the main technical element terms

Articulation

How the notes are played or sung e.g. legato, staccato.

Rhythm

Patterns of long and short notes.

Tempo

The speed of the music; fast or slow.

Pitch

Whether the sound is high or low.

Melody

Successive pitches played or sung by one instrument or voice at a time.

Metre

The number of beats in a bar indicated by a time signature e.g. 6/8, 3/4, 4/4

Harmony

Different pitches sounding at the same time.

Dynamics

Whether the music is loud or soft (volume) e.g. pianissimo, mezzo forte, fortissimo etc.

Texture

Whether the music is thick or thin, in other words how many instruments are playing at the same time. It may also describe how melody and harmony are woven together.

Timbre

Quality of a musical sound e.g. tinny, reedy, brash refined etc.

Structure

How music is organised into a composition

Tonality

The key of the piece e.g. major, minor.