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 to.
• 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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