JE

Elements of Music Lecture 1 -- Fundamentals of Sound

Elements of Music

  • Definition of Music

    • "The intentional organization of sound in time by and for human beings."

    • Consideration of whether all elements are necessary or if some are extra.

    • Importance of each component: intentionality, organization, sound, time, human aspect.

Sound and Acoustics

  • Acoustics

    • The science of sound; how sound functions in specific environments.

    • Acousticians study acoustics; acoustical engineers enhance sound quality in various venues.

  • Nature of Sound

    • Sound refers to mechanical movement of pressure waves through solids, liquids, or gases.

    • Sound travels best through air but can also propagate through solids (e.g., knocking on a table) and liquids (e.g., underwater).

  • Mechanism of Sound Perception

    • Sound waves are detected by the ear and interpreted by the brain.

Historical Context of Sound

  • Pythagoras (500 B.C.)

    • Observed harmonic sounds formed by specific ratios (e.g., length of strings).

    • Harmonious sounds create pleasing music, while non-harmonic ratios result in noise (e.g., scraping chair).

  • Aristotle

    • Conducted studies on waves in water that parallel the understanding of sound waves.

Properties of Sound

  • Dynamics

    • Refers to volume and corresponds with amplitude:

      • Larger amplitude = louder sound; smaller amplitude = quieter sound.

  • Timbre

    • Describes the tone color unique to instruments or voices influenced by physical characteristics (e.g., shape of mouth, larynx).

    • Different materials also affect timbre (e.g., wood vs. metal instruments).

  • Articulation

    • Involves how sounds begin and end in music, affecting dynamics.

    • Example: Starting a note loudly and ending softly creates a distinct musical effect.

  • Pitch

    • Created by organized sound waves; disorganized waves are perceived as noise.

    • Determined by frequency (Hertz) and related to the number of cycles per second of sound waves.

    • Standard pitch A is tuned to 440 Hz; human audible range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Pitch Structure

  • Pitches and Overtones

    • Fundamental pitch refers to the main note heard, while overtones are additional frequencies that contribute to timbre.

    • Musical notes within the octave are named A to G and repeat periodically.

  • Intervals

    • The distance between two notes is called an interval (e.g., a third, an octave).

    • A step refers to moving from one line to the next on a staff.

Music Notation and Staff

  • Guido de Arezzo

    • Developed staff notation in 900 A.D. to standardize musical writing.

    • Introduced solfège as a learning tool for singers.

Rhythm

  • Definition

    • Rhythm is the timing of sounds; how fast or how slow notes happen.

  • Notation in Music

    • Measures contain a set number of beats (e.g., 4 beats per measure).

    • Notes (eighth notes and quarter notes) represent rhythmic values affecting how music sounds.

  • Counting Rhythm

    • Rhythmic patterns can be counted to understand their structure.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the intertwining of music as an art and science through its elements will support practical applications like composition projects.