elements of music

Elements of Music

The foundation on which music is written, arranged, and performed. Music can be analyzed by considering a variety of its elements, or parts, individually or together. Elements of music may be compared to the elements of art and design.

Texture in music

Refers to the number of different layers of sound in a piece of music and the relationship between them.

Sound

is created by vibrations. Vibrating objects cause the molecules around them to vibrate. If there are no molecules to vibrate, no — is created.

sound waves

These traveling vibrations are called "--". Can be represented as wavy lines.

Noise

Makes erratic wave patterns.

Difference between noise and music

The patterns of their sound waves; regular, orderly sound waves tend to sound more appealing.

Timbre

The “color” or quality of sound in music. Refers to the different frequencies that make up individual sounds.

Timbre / Tone color

What makes an instrument or voice sound unique.

Descriptive words for timbre

Loud, Soft, Brassy, Gentle, Natural, Melodious, Strong, Smooth, Rich, Deep, Thick, Mellow, Soulful, Raspy, Thin, Breathy, Rounded, Full, Clear, Piercing, Harsh, Warm, Bright, Dark, Flat, Light.

Duration

Length of the tone.

Pitch

How high or how low the sound is.

Dynamics

Volume in music; how loud or soft the sound is.

p (Piano)

soft.

f (Forte)

loud.

crescendo

gradually getting louder.

decrescendo / diminuendo

gradually getting softer.

mp (Mezzo piano)

medium soft.

mf (Mezzo forte)

medium loud.

pp (Pianissimo)

very soft.

ff (Fortissimo)

very loud.

PPP (very, very soft)

extremely soft.

Rhythm

How the beat is broken down; the pattern created by the flow of a piece’s notes.

Beat

The “skeleton” of music; best described as the pace, tempo, or timing to play a piece; usually an unchanging, steady pulse.

Rhythm

How you inhabit or move within the beat; combination of notes with different durations; the actual flow or movement of music; a series of notes arranged into a pattern; when combined with pitch, melody is created; emphasizing certain notes is called accenting.

Beat

steady, unchanging tempo.

Rhythm

pattern created by the flow of a piece’s notes.

Tempo

The underlying beat or “pulse” in music; the speed of the piece; measured in BPM (beats per minute).

Grave

slow, solemn.

Lento

broadly.

Adagio

slow and stately.

Andante

at a walking pace.

Moderato

moderately.

Allegro

fast, quickly, and bright.

Vivace

lively and fast.

Presto

very fast.

Accelerando

speeding up.

Allargando

growing broader, slowing down.

Meno mosso

less movement, slower.

Rallentando

gradual slowing down.

Ritardando

less gradual slowing down.

Rubato

free adjustment of tempo for expressive purposes.

Melody

The actual tune of the song.

Harmony

How sounds blend together.

Form

How the music is structured.

Style

The overall characteristic sound.

Characteristics of Tone

Tone is identified by its pitch, quality, and intensity.