Music: The art of combining sounds to create harmony, melody, and rhythm to express emotions or ideas.
Melody: A sequence of notes forming the main tune.
Harmony: Combination of notes played together for a pleasing sound.
Rhythm: The pattern of beats or timing in music.
Timbre: The unique sound quality of an instrument or voice.
Dynamics: The volume of music (loud or soft).
Texture: How layers of sound interact (thick or thin).
Form: The structure or layout of a musical piece.
Notes: Symbols representing sound and pitch.
Staff: Five horizontal lines where notes are written. (make sure you know what it looks like)
Clef: Symbol indicating pitch range (e.g., treble clef for high notes, bass clef for low notes). (make sure you know what it looks like)
Time Signature: Tells the number of beats per measure and the note value of each beat.(make sure you know what it looks like)
Key Signature: Shows which notes are sharp or flat in the piece.(make sure you know what it looks like)
Rest: Symbols indicating silence for a specific duration.(make sure you know what it looks like)
Tempo: Speed of the music (e.g., Allegro – fast, Adagio – slow).
Dynamics: Volume of the music (e.g., piano (p) – soft, forte (f) – loud).
Accelerando: Gradually speeding up.
Ritardando: Gradually slowing down.
Crescendo: Gradually getting louder.
Decrescendo: Gradually getting softer.
Pitch: Perceived highness or lowness of a sound.
Overtones: Higher frequencies that resonate with the main pitch.
Frequency: Number of sound wave vibrations per second (measured in Hertz).
Amplitude: Determines volume (loudness).
Timbre: Unique quality or color of a sound.
Duration: Length of time a sound lasts.
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon
Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba
Percussion: Timpani, Snare Drum, Cymbals, Xylophone
Things that were different in Bachs day
No Piano: The harpsichord and organ were common; the piano was just emerging.
Music Purpose: Mostly for church, royal courts, or ceremonies—less for public concerts.
Patronage System: Musicians worked for churches or nobility, not as independent artists.
Ornamentation: Baroque music was highly decorative and expressive.
Instruments: String instruments were key; brass and woodwinds were less advanced.
Baroque music terms
Cantata: Vocal work with instrumental accompaniment, often sacred.
Concerto: Composition featuring a soloist with an orchestra.
Use these to memorize for listening
J.S. Bach (1685–1750):
German composer and organist.
Known for his intricate counterpoint (e.g., "The Well-Tempered Clavier").
Worked mainly for churches and courts.
Had 20 children, many of whom were musicians.
G.F. Handel (1685–1759):
German-born composer who became British.
Known for operas, oratorios (e.g., "Messiah"), and orchestral music.
Worked in opera and later oratorio, influencing British music.
Lived in London for much of his life, supported by royal patrons.
A. Vivaldi (1678–1741):
Italian Baroque composer and violinist.
Known for "The Four Seasons", a set of violin concertos.
Worked as a priest, but his music focused on instrumental works.
He was influential in shaping the concerto form.
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