(1) MUSIC 105 MUSIC'S BASIC ELEMENTS

Melody

Series of single tones that add up to a recognizable whle

Tune

Melodic motion

Tone

Ascending or descending pitch

Intervals

Space between pitches (wide or narrow); conjunct vs. disjunct

Conjunct

Intervals are narrow

Disjunct

Intervals are wide

Harmony

How chords are constructed and how they follow each other; dyad/triad

Dyad

Two chords

Triad

Three chords

Rhythm

Ordered flow of music through time; the pattern of durations of notes and silences in music

Meter

Organization of beats into regular groups; duple/triple

Duple

Two beats (march)

Triple

Three beats (waltz)

Texture

Lines or layers of sound in music and how they connect; homophonic/monophonic

Monophonic Texture

One line of sound; acapella, instrumentals, etc.

Homophonic Texture

One main melody accompanied by sound; Aria, solo, etc.

Polyphonic Texture

Two or more melodic lines of relative interest at the same time; Duet, trio, quartet, etc.;

Form

Organization of music ideas in time; binary/ternary form

Binary Form

Two part section (AB)

Ternary Form

Three part section (ABA)

Dynamics

The loudness or softness of music

Forte

Loud

Fortissimo

Extra Loud

Piano

Soft

Pianissimo

Very Soft

Mezzoforte

Medium Loud

Mezzopiano

Medium Soft

Timbre/Tone Color

Quality of sound distinguishing one sound or voice from another

Tempo

Basic pace of music; speed of the beat

Lento/Largo

Very Slow

Adagio

Slow

Andante

Medium Speed

Allegro

Fast

Presto

Very Fast

Legato

Tones/pitches are smoothly connected

Staccato

Tones/pitches are short and sharp

Syllabic

“In-the-Moment” Dialogue; one syllable per note; Happy Birthday

Neumatic

Two syllables per note

Melisantic

Multiple syllables per note; vocal run

Opera

A drama that is sung to an orchestral accompaniment

Libretto

The words of an opera

Librettist

The one who writes the libretto

Book

The spoken text of the musical

Lyrics

Text of songs in musicals

Genre

Category of a musical piece

Conventions

Norms, expected features; culturally situation; related to both genre and basic elements of music

Scrim

Painted backdrop; using flats/panels

Ariaform

How verses are sung; Strophic or Da Capo

Strophic

Different verses with same temo/style

Da Capo

Repeats certain phrases