Dr t smith

Dynamics

The volume of music, indicating how loud or soft the music should be played.

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• Terms and Symbols:
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   - Examples:
   - A piece marked should be played moderately loud.
   - A could indicate the build-up to a climax in the music.

Rhythm

The pattern of sounds and silences in music.

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• Note Values:
   - : 4 beats
   - : 2 beats
   - : 1 beat
   - : ½ beat
   - : ¼ beat
  - Rests:
   - : 4 beats of silence
   - : 2 beats of silence
   - : 1 beat of silence
   - : ½ beat of silence
   - : ¼ beat of silence
  - Examples:
   - The rhythm of a waltz is often characterized by a 3/4 time signature.
   - Syncopation can create a lively and unexpected rhythm.

Tonality

The organization of music around a central note or 'tonic'.

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• Terms:
   - Major Key: bright, happy sound
   - Minor Key: dark, sad sound
  - Examples:
   - A piece in C major has no sharps or flats.
   - A piece in A minor includes the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
  - Modulation: The process of changing from one key to another within a piece.

Structure

The overall form or architecture of a piece of music.

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• Common Structures:
   - Binary (AB): two contrasting sections
   - Ternary (ABA): three sections with a return to the first
   - Theme and Variations: a theme followed by variations
   - Through-Composed: continuous, non-repetitive music
  - Examples:
   - A song structure might be Intro - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Outro.

Melody

A sequence of notes that is musically satisfying.

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• Terms:
   - : embellishments that decorate the melody
   - : rapid alternation between two notes
   - : a single rapid alternation
   - : a figure that begins on the main note, goes to a note above, then to the main note again, then below and back to the main note
  - Symbol Examples:
   - Trill example:
   - Mordent example:
   - Turn example:
  - Examples:
   - A melody might use a series of ascending and descending notes with added trills for embellishment.

Instruments (Timbre)

The tone quality or color of a sound that distinguishes one instrument from another.

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• Instrument Families:
   - Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
   - Woodwinds: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon
   - Brass: trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn
   - Percussion: drums, tambourine, marimba
   - Keyboard: piano, organ, harpsichord
  - Examples:
   - A violin has a bright, penetrating sound, while a cello has a warmer, deeper tone.

Tempo

The speed at which music is played.

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• Terms:
   - Largo: very slow (40-60 bpm)
   - Adagio: slow (66-76 bpm)
   - Andante: moderately slow (76-108 bpm)
   - Moderato: moderate (108-120 bpm)
   - Allegro: fast (120-168 bpm)
   - Presto: very fast (168 and above bpm)
  - Examples:
   - A piece marked Allegro should be played quickly, creating a lively atmosphere.

Harmony & Tonality

The combination of different musical notes played together to create chords.

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• Terms:
   - Chords: a group of notes played together
   - Triads: specific types of three-note chords
   - Cadences: sequences of chords that conclude a phrase
   - Dissonance: a combination of notes that feels tense or unresolved
   - Consonance: a combination of notes that feels stable and resolved
  - Examples:
   - A C major chord consists of the notes C, E, and G.
   - A perfect cadence (V-I) provides a strong sense of resolution.