The Elements of Music

1. ELEMENTS OF MUSIC There are several key elements of music. When combined and used
correctly they express emotion and provide us with “singable”, enjoyable pieces that can
represent time, place and even become what we use to describe who we are and what we
represent.
2. Rhythm • Definition: The patterns of long and short sounds and silences in music. • To
create a rhythm combine any variety of notes and rests together (see your note and rest
value chart). • Rhythms can and are performed throughout any piece of music by any
instrument, however, we can mostly recognize a rhythm when it is performed on a
percussion instrument.
3. Beat • Definition: A steady pulse contained in music. • Music is organized with time
signatures that indicate how many beats are found within one measure of music.
4. The top number of the time signature indicates how many beats will appear in one
measure/bar of music. 2 3 4 6 6 over 8 means 6 beats per bar 4 4 4 8 4 over 4 means 4
beats per bar
5. The bottom number of the time signature indicates what type of note receives one
beat. The 8 in 6/8 time means an eighth note receives one beat 2 3 4 6 4 4 4 8 The 4 in 4/4
time means a quarter notes receives one beat
6. The time signature appears at the beginning of the music after the clef (treble or bass).
• It does not appear in any other measure unless there is a time change throughout the
piece.
7. Tempo • Definition: The pace or speed at which a piece of music is performed. • Tempo
markings are traditionally given in Italian and the words that refer to tempo can be
categorized in the following ways:
8. SLOW • Grave – extremely slow and solemn • Adagio – very slow • Lento – slow • Largo –
slow and broad • Larghetto – less slow than largo
9. MEDIUM • Andante – rather slow, at a moderate walking pace • Andantino – a little faster
than andante • Moderato – at a moderate pace • Allegretto – fairly quick, slightly slower
than allegro
10. FAST • Con moto – with movement, or a certain quickness • Allegro – lively, rather quick •
Vivace – quick and lively • Veloce – with velocity • Rapido – rapid • Presto – very quick •
Prestissimo – as quick as possible
11. Other words that refer to Tempo • Accelerando – gradually getting quicker • Meno
mosso – less movement, slower • Ritardando – gradually getting slower • Rallentando –
gradually getting slower • Tempo rubato – robbed time
12. DYNAMICS • Definition: The volume of the sound, as well as the style in which the
performer plays the instrument/music. • It is important to not confuse how loud or soft
something is on a recorded performance. It is easy to turn up (or down) the volume using
an electronic device.
13. Dynamics • When dynamics are discussed in regards to orchestration we are referring to
how loud or soft each instrument can perform on its own, the stylistic elements that
 support that sound and finally what dynamics they can create when combining and
performing as an ensemble or orchestra.
14. Italian Terminology
15. Variations in Volume
16. Terminology referring to “style” of playing
17. TIMBRE • Definition: The unique quality or qualities inherent in sounds that allow us to
distinguish between them. • Timber (TAMBOUR – as in “tambourine”) has also been
referred to as the tone colouring of an instrument.
18. The distinct tone quality of an instrument can be represented by the colour that
matches the sound. • Let us consider the Flute. What colour(s) would you think best
represents the sound quality of this instrument?
19. It is also important to consider how the instrument is being played. • Quickly review in
your notes some of the Italian terminology that is used to describe the styles of how one
can perform on their instrument...
20. At this point, depending on the style in which the instrument is being played, specific
colours and/or descriptive words could be used to best interpret the sounds you hear!
21. There are major differences between the families of instruments and how they sound.
• There are also differences that occur within each family. For example Flute vs. Bassoon
(both Woodwind), however very different tone qualities.
22. PITCH • Definition: The degree of highness or lowness of a sound.
23. The Staff • Music is written on a STAFF of five lines and the four spaces between 5 4 3 2 1
It is important to remember to count from the bottom up!
24. Music Notation • Music notes are oval shaped symbols that are placed on the lines and in
the spaces. They represent musical sounds, called PITCHES.
25. If the notes appear higher on the staff they sound higher in pitch. • If the notes appear
lower on the staff they sound lower in pitch.
26. Organizing Musical Sounds • Musical notes are named after the first seven letters of the
alphabet: • A B C D E F GA B C D E F G A B C ... they keep repeating over and over and by
their position on the staff they can represent the entire range of musical sound.
27. Clefs in Music Notation • Clef signs help to organize the staff so notes can easily be read.
28. Treble Clef • The treble clef is used for notes in the higher pitch ranges. The treble clef (or
G clef) has evolved from a stylized letter G into the present:
29. The curl of the treble clef circles the line on which the note G is placed. This G is above
middle C (The C nearest the middle of the keyboard).
30. Note naming patterns – drawing and naming notes! • Take out a pencil and on a new
sheet of paper create the following – a blank staff: • Use a ruler if you have one to ensure
they are straight and even!
31. Now draw the treble clef and create 5 notes, one on each line (leave some space
between each note so that they do not stack on top of each other). Somewhat like this... •
Do not colour them in and only draw them on the five lines!
32. Now let’s name the five line notes that appear in the treble clef...
33. Note naming patterns • In the treble staff the names of the line notes from bottom to top
are: E G B D F • This order can be memorized with the saying: Every, Good, Boy, Deserves,
Fudge Or...
34. Now recreate a new staff (including the treble clef) and fill in the four spaces using
whole notes...
35. Get ready to name them...
36. The names of notes in the spaces spell the word: F A C E
37. The Bass Clef • The Bass clef (pronounced “base”) is used for notes in the lower pitch
ranges. The bass clef (or F clef) has evolved from the stylized letter f into:
38. The two dots of the bass clef surround the fourth line, the line on which the note F is
played.
39. For a third time create a staff on your paper only this time practice drawing the bass
clef – try to place the two dots directly in the 3rd and 4th space surrounding that fourth
line. • It is very important to indicate the dots in those exact spaces or you are not drawing
the symbol correctly!
40. Now draw on the 5 line notes leaving room in between (no “snowman” or stacking!)
41. Let’s name these notes...
42. In the bass staff the names of the notes on the lines from bottom to top are: G B D F A
• The phrase that can help you memorize this order is: Good, Boys, Do, Fine, Always Or...
43. Finally, one last time create a staff (including the bass clef) and draw on the four space
notes
44. Unfortunately the space note names do not combine to make a word. • Do you know
a phrase that can be used as a way to identify the notes of the bass clef?
45. The space notes appear from bottom to top as: A C E G • The phrase that can help you
memorize this order is: All, Cows, Eat, Grass Or...
46. MELODY • Definition: A series of pitches that move forward (the sing-able part) within a
piece of music.
47. Types of Melody • There are two types of Melody.
48. CONJUNCT • A conjunct melody is a melody that moves in stepwise motion.
49. DISJUNCT • A Disjunct melody is one that moves with more leaps (jumps) than steps.
50. HARMONY • Definition: Combinations of pitches sounding simultaneously. • Consider two
performers presenting a piece to an audience. If one instrument is performing on whole
notes while the other is playing the main melody there will be harmony.