Transcript Elements of Music

Elements of Music
Tempo
• Tempo (an Italian word for
time) refers to the speed or pace of the music –
basically, whether it is fast or slow.
• The tempo of a piece will usually be found at the
start of a piece of music and often tempo is
shown as beats per minute (BPM).
• It is the part of the song that you can tap your
foot too.
• Most popular music that we listen to has a
constant, steady tempo whereas classical music
tends to vary in tempo.
• Composers and songwriters may use a moderate
tempo (neither fast nor slow), or even change its
tempo part-way through the piece of music.
How do you describe Tempo?
• You should first describe the tempo as a steady
or free pace.
• And then choose one of these descriptive terms:
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Lento (slow)
Andante (walking pace)
Moderato (moderately)
Allegro (fast, quickly, bright)
Vivace (lively and fast)
▫ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo
Examples
• “Somebody That I Used to Know”
Cover by: Walk Off the Earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OAj5RrpA
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• “Nocturne in E flat”
Chopin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZUw78FXp
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Rhythm
• Rhythm describes the length or VALUE of each
sound and the placement of these values within
a tempo.
• All songs contain a combination of long and
short notes (and rests) but an emphasis on
either one will change the “feel” of the piece.
• It’s important to remember that this element is
NOT talking about the beat.
• Rhythm is what results of combining notes of
different durations, sometimes lining up with
the beat and sometimes not.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jntqBIjV
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How to describe rhythm:
• Focus on the percussion instruments or any other
instrument that provides percussion effects in the songs
you've chosen.
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Is the rhythm fast or slow?
Do the rhythms seem simple or complex?
Straight rhythm or a shuffle rhythm?
Is the rhythm a key part of the song or does it seem
secondary, like it's in the background?
• “Settle Down” No Doubt
• “Summertime” Measha Bruggergosman and Jive Kings
Silence
• Silence is also referred to as space.
• Silence is as important as sound in music. It gives time to
think and for echoes to die away. It can be dramatic.
• The overall piece may have bits of complete silence or
individual instruments may be silent to allow focus on
other parts of the music.
• To describe silence of a song you will need to
explain whether it is a complete or partial
silence and where the silence happens (exact
times).
• If the silence is just part of the natural rhythm of
the song there is no need to worry about
describing it.
Examples:
• “ Living in the Outside” Small Town Pistols
• “Gangnam Style” PSY
• “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” J.S. Bach