Transcript Resource
Music is all around us. Can you imagine a world without music? There are 7 elements of music. • • • • • • • Rhythm Tempo Melody Harmony Form Dynamics Timbre 1. Rhythm • Rhythm has to do with timing. This involves how fast or slow notes are played and the way in which notes are spaced. This creates a pattern. • Duration refers to how long you hold a note whether you play or sing it. • The time signature in music refers to the number and type of notes in each measure. 2. Tempo • Tempo is how fast or slow the music is sung or played. • Tempo in music is written in Italian. • “Allegro” means fast • “Adagio” means slow 3. Melody • The melody is a pattern of notes that catch your ear when played or sung. • Pitch is how high or low the notes are sung or played. 4. Harmony • Harmony is the musical part that people don’t usually sing along with. Harmony notes are different from the melody notes. • Voices that sing very high notes are soprano singers. Voices singing very low notes are bass singers. Those in the middle are altos and tenors. These are 4 parts of harmony. 5. Form • Musical form is the organization of the music. • AB organization has two different parts. Example – Verse/chorus songs • ABA organization has three parts. The first and last are similar and the middle is different. • Call and Response organization is like a question and answer. • Round organization is when everyone plays or sings the same melody, but they begin and end at different times. Example “Row,Row,Row, Your Boat”. 6. Dynamics • Dynamics in music means how loud or soft the music is played or sung. • Italian language has been used by musicians for years to show the music dynamics. • “Piano” “p” means soft. • “Mezzo piano” “mp” means medium soft. • “Mezzo forte” “mf” means medium loud. • “Forte” “f” means loud. 7. Timbre • Timbre is the sound made by voices or instruments. • Timbre is used to affect feelings in listeners or to make listeners think of a certain thing. For example the sound of a flute is light and happy. In “Peter and the Wolfe” the flute is used to make its listeners think of a flying bird. Musical Instruments • The most common instruments in the United States are the piano and guitar The Orchestra • An orchestra is a formally organized group of people who play instruments and are led by a conductor. • The conductor stands in front of the group and uses a baton or short stick to keep the beat. • Orchestra instruments are divided into 4 groups – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Strings • Instruments made of wood that have 4 strings. Violin Viola Cello Bass Woodwinds Clarinet Oboe Flute Saxophone Brass French Horn Trombone Tuba Trumpet Baritone Percussion Xylophone Drums Cymbals 3 Reasons or Purposes for Creating Music • Ceremonial – performed for celebrations, worship, or special occasions • Recreational – performed for entertainment, games, dances, or social events • Artistic - performed in a concert setting • Source: “Arts & Humanities – The Student Handbook” by Katie Carpenter & Eva Media