elements of the arts

Elements of the Arts

Terminology and Vocabulary for Visual Art, Dance, Drama, and

Music

Elements of Music

Melody – The tune or main part of a piece of music. Horizonal notation. What one hums.

Harmony – 2 or more notes played or sung at the same time. Vertical notation.

Rhythm – The organization of notes and rests to create a beat, meter, and tempo.

Elements of Music

Tone Color/Timbre – The special sound characteristics of each instrument, voice or sound.

Form – The overall plan or structure of a musical composition.

Dynamics – The loudness and softness of music. The amplitude of the sound wave.

Tempo – The speed at which a selection is played

Melody – Terminology and Components Direction - Whether a melody moves higher or lower

or remains the same. Step – moving from one note directly to the next

highest or lowest. Whole steps (Major 2nd) and half (Minor 2nds) steps. One whole step equals 2 half steps.

Skip – Moving from one note to another that skips a note in between. Interval of a 3rd, Major (4 half steps) or Minor (3 half steps).

Melody – Terminology and Components Leap – Movement of more than a major 3rd.

Large Intervals. Pitch – The highness or lowness of sound.

The frequency of the sound wave. Shape – The shape created by the motion of

a melody, moving higher, lower, or remaining on the same pitch.

Melody – Terminology and Components Pitch Notation – Symbols used to tell a

performer what pitch to play or to sing. Treble Clef – (G Clef) Symbol used to signify

higher sounding pitches.

Bass Clef – (F Clef) Symbol used to designate lower sounding pitches.

Melody – Terminology and Components Treble Clef Lines – Bottom to Top - E, G, B,

D, F - (Every Good Boy Does Fine) Treble Clef Spaces – Bottom to Top – F, A,

C, E – (Spells the word FACE)

Melody – Terminology and Components Bass Clef Lines – Bottom to Top – G, B, D,

F, A – (Good Boys Do Fine Always) Bass Clef Spaces – Bottom to Top – A, C, E,

G – (All Cows Eat Grass)

Harmony – Terminology and Components Intervals – Distance between two notes. Major – pattern of notes (scale) arranged in a

special order w w h w w w h (w = whole step, h = half step).

Minor – pattern of notes (scale) arranged w h w w h w w (Natural) There are other types of minor scales: Melodic and Harmonic.

Harmony – Terminology and Components Parts – separate lines in music, played or sung by

different instruments or voices. Tonic (key) - Resting or home tone. All other tones

are related to the tonic. Tonality – Relation of other tones to the tonic or

home tone. Texture – Thickness of the sound relative to

harmonic structure (see next slide)

Harmony – Terminology and Components Monophonic – Single unison part – All voices or

instruments produce the same melody at the same time.

Homophonic – Different parts are sung or played at the same time, starting and ending together (Like a church hymn)

Polyphonic – Different parts are sung or played at different times, starting and ending at different times (Like a round or canon).

Rhythm – Terminology and Components Bar Lines – Vertical lines that divide the staff

into measures. Duration – Length of time that a sound or

silence lasts. Fermata – Symbol to hold a note for a

duration that is longer than normal. Notes – Symbols for Sound Rests – Symbols for silence

Rhythm – Terminology and Components: Notes Whole Note – sound lasts for 4 beats Half Note – sound lasts for 2 beats Quarter Note – sound lasts for 1 beat Eighth Note – sound lasts for ½ beat Sixteenth Note – sound lasts for ¼ beat Dot – adds ½ the value of the note or rest to

the duration

Rhythm – Terminology and Components: Rests Whole Rest – silence for 4 beats Half Rest – silence for 2 beats Quarter Rest – silence for 1 beat Eighth Rest – silence for ½ beat Sixteenth Rest – silence for ¼ beat

Rhythm – Terminology and Components: Meter Meter – Organization of beats into a recurring pattern

often notated by a meter or time signature at the beginning of a composition.

Duple Meter – Meter in a 2 Pattern (e.g., 2/4 4/4) Accent on down beat and secondary accent on beat 3 in 4/4 time.

Triple Meter – Meter in a 3 Pattern (e.g., ¾, 6/8) Accent on the down beat.

Rhythm – Terminology and Components: Meter continued Simple Meter – Basic beat pattern such as 2/4 or ¾

with one accent per measure. Compound Meter –Beat patterns where each main

beat is divided such as 2/4 or 6/8 with more than one accent per measure.

Asymmetrical Meter – Beat patterns that are uneven in number (e.g., 5/4, 7/4, 5/8) where it is not duple or triple, but combinations of the two.

Rhythm – Terminology and Components: Tempo Tempo – Speed at which music is played or

performed. Adagio – Slow Largo – Very Slow Andante – Medium Moderato – Medium Allegro – Fast Vivace – Very Fast

Tone Color/Timbre - Terminology and Components Instrument Families – Instruments grouped

by common characteristics Orchestral Instrument Families:

Woodwind, Brass, String, Percussion, Keyboard

Anthropological Classification of Instruments: Aerophones, Chordophones, Membranophones, Idiophones, Electrophones.

Woodwind Instruments

Flute Piccolo Clarinet Oboe English Horn Bassoon Contrabassoon Saxophone

Brass Instruments

Trumpet French Horn Trombone Tuba Baritone Horn Euphonium Sousaphone Cornet Bugle

String Instruments

Violin Viola Cello String Bass Guitar Banjo Mandolin Harp

Percussion Instruments

Snare Drum Bass Drum Timpani Triangle Xylophone Bells Chimes

Keyboard Instruments

Piano Organ Harpsichord Synthesizer – Electronic Keyboard

Anthropology Classifications

Aerophones – Sound produced by air. Chordophones – Sound produced by string. Membranophones – Sound produced by skins. Idiophones – Sound performed by striking or

shaking – physical extension of the body. Electrophones – Sound produced electronically.

Form - Terminology and Components

Binary – Two sections. Ternary – Three sections. AB – Binary with 2 different sections. ABA – Ternary with 2 different sections and

then the first repeated at the end. Call and Response – a soloist makes a

statement and the group “answers” or responds together.


Repeat Signs – Symbols that indicate to the musician that something should be played or sung again.

Round (Canon) - Performers sing or play the same melody entering at different times.

Strophic – Verse and Chorus. Verse is often new material each time while chorus is usually a repetition of the same thing after each verse.


Through-Composed – No repeated material in any part of the composition

Rondo – ABACABA – 3 sections repeated in this pattern

Others covered later in the course in style periods: Mass, Chant, Motet, Opera, Symphony, Concerto, Theme and Variations.

Dynamics - Terminology and Components Forte (f) – loud Mezzo Forte (mf) – moderately loud Fortissimo (ff) – very loud Piano (p ) – Soft Mezzo Piano (mp) – moderately soft Pianissimo (pp) – very soft

Dynamics - Terminology and Components Crescendo – gradually get louder Decrescendo – gradually get softer Diminuendo – get softer Sforzando (sfz) – suddenly get louder Subito Piano – suddenly get softer

Style and Genre in Music

Style – Individual way elements are put together dictated by time period, composer, group, or culture.

Genre – Type or category of music.

Genre in Music – By no means all inclusive! Bluegrass Blues Country Folk Games Lullabies Marches Reggae Zydeco

Patriotic Popular Rap Rock Spiritual Work Song Protest song Calypso Salsa

VISUAL ARTSVISUAL ARTS

Elements and Components of Elements and Components of Visual ArtVisual Art

• Elements of Art

• Principles of Design

• Styles

• Subject Matter

• Processes

• Media

• Purpose

Elements of ArtElements of Art – Basic parts of a – Basic parts of a work of artwork of art

• Color – Caused by the amount of reflected light, hue.

• Form – Unit that has length, width, and depth (3 dimensions) such as a cube, pyramid, cone, sphere, or cylinder

• Line – A mark that moves through space varying in length, width, direction, and color

Elements of Art continuedElements of Art continued

• Shape – Area enclosed by a line that has length and width (2 dimensional) such as a square, rectangle, triangle, or circle.

• Texture – The way a surface looks or feels: rough, smooth, prickly, furry, etc.

• Space - Area used by an art work.• Value - Intensity of colors

ColorColor

• Color group – a family of related hues: warm, cool, neutral

• Cool colors: greens, blues, and purples

• Warm colors: yellows, oranges, and reds

• Neutral colors: blacks, whites, browns, and grays.

ColorColor

• Primary Colors – Hues from which all other colors are made – red, yellow, and blue.

• Secondary colors – Hues mixed from 2 primary colors – Orange (red/yellow), Green (blue/yellow), and Purple (red/blue)

Principles of DesignPrinciples of Design – – Concepts that Concepts that guide artists in creation and organization of guide artists in creation and organization of

their artworktheir artwork• Balance – How elements are arranged to

show a sense of weight.

• Radial - Balanced around a line.

• Symmetrical – Equally balanced on either side of a central line or point.

• Asymmetrical - Unequally balanced on either side of a central line or point.

Principles of DesignPrinciples of Design continued continued

• Contrast – An obvious difference between two things (light/dark, thick/thin, large/small)

• Emphasis – Focal point or drawing attention to important areas or objects in a work.

• Pattern – Repetition of line, shape, or color in a work of art.

StylesStyles

• Abstract – Not realistic – adds or subtracts details to create a personal design or view.

• Nonobjective – Lines, shapes, and colors are the subject, No recognizable objects.

• Realistic – Shows how something might really look such as a person, object, or scene.

Subject MatterSubject Matter – What the art work – What the art work is aboutis about

• Portrait – Person, Animal, or group of people – Focus on face or faces.

• Landscape – View of a natural outdoor scene such as a forest or fields.

• Still Life – Depiction of an arrangement of inanimate objects.

Processes Processes - Methods of producing - Methods of producing a worka work

• Collage – Made with torn or cut fabric or paper.

• Drawing – Made with dry media such as pencil or crayon.

• Painting – made with wet media such as tempera, oil, or watercolor.

• Pottery – Making objects with clay, hardened by firing in a kiln.

Processes Processes continuedcontinued

• Sculpture – Modeling, Carving, or joining of materials into a 3 dimensional form.

• Weaving – Use of thread or yarn to produce cloth on a loom.

Media Media – Materials Used to Create – Materials Used to Create ArtArt

• Clay• Crayon• Fabric• Metal• Paint• Paper

• Papier Mache• Pencil• Stone• Wood• Yarn• Cloth

PurposePurpose - Reasons People - Reasons People Make ArtMake Art

• Fine Art – Meant to be observed, viewed, or admired.

• Decorative Art – Embellishment of the surface of objects.

• Expressive Art – Shows emotions or ideas.• Practical Art (Functional) – Meant to be used

for a purpose• Narrative Art – Describes or illustrates

experiences.

DRAMADRAMA

Drama VocabularyDrama Vocabulary

Elements of DramaElements of DramaElements of ProductionElements of ProductionElements of PerformanceElements of PerformanceCreative DramaticsCreative DramaticsStylesStyles

Elements of Drama – Elements of Drama – Essential Essential Components of a Dramatic ProductionComponents of a Dramatic Production

DialogueDialogue – A conversation between 2 – A conversation between 2 or more characters to express or more characters to express thoughts, feelings, and action.thoughts, feelings, and action.

ConflictConflict – The struggle between – The struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests.opposing forces, ideas, or interests.

MonologueMonologue – A long speech made by – A long speech made by one person, often called a soliloquy.one person, often called a soliloquy.

Plot or StorylinePlot or Storyline – The plan of action – The plan of action or events of the story. A plot has a or events of the story. A plot has a beginning, a middle, and an end.beginning, a middle, and an end.

Elements of Production – Elements of Production – Aspects of Aspects of a play outside of the dramatic elements that aid a play outside of the dramatic elements that aid

in telling the story.in telling the story.

CostumesCostumes – A style or characteristic – A style or characteristic of a particular country, period, or of a particular country, period, or people and often worn in a play. people and often worn in a play. Costumes also give information Costumes also give information about:about:

Character, Setting, Time, Character, Setting, Time, Social status, and other Social status, and other important information relative to important information relative to the plot.the plot.

Elements of Production Elements of Production continuedcontinued

Make-upMake-up – The production element, – The production element, used on an actor’s body that reflects used on an actor’s body that reflects what the character should look like. what the character should look like. Make-up is worn by characters on Make-up is worn by characters on areas of the body that are visible to areas of the body that are visible to the audience (face, arms, legs)the audience (face, arms, legs)


MusicMusic - Music is an element of - Music is an element of production that often helps to create production that often helps to create a mood or to add suspense.a mood or to add suspense.

PropsProps – Any article, except costume – Any article, except costume or scenery, used as part of a or scenery, used as part of a dramatic production (e.g., a drinking dramatic production (e.g., a drinking glass, a purse, or a weapon)glass, a purse, or a weapon)


RoleRole – The characteristics and – The characteristics and expected social behavior of an expected social behavior of an individual in a given position individual in a given position (mother, teacher, employer, (mother, teacher, employer, employee).employee).

SceneryScenery – The painted backdrop or – The painted backdrop or backgrounds on a theatrical stage backgrounds on a theatrical stage that represent where a story or scene that represent where a story or scene takes place.takes place.


SoundSound – Any sound, not made by an – Any sound, not made by an actor, used to help create the actor, used to help create the environment, to establish the mood, environment, to establish the mood, or to aide in telling the story (e.g., or to aide in telling the story (e.g., thunder, forest sounds, street thunder, forest sounds, street sounds)sounds)

Elements of Performance – Elements of Performance – Components Necessary to Perform a Components Necessary to Perform a

Dramatic WorkDramatic WorkActingActing – Pretending to be a – Pretending to be a

character.character.CharacterCharacter – A person portrayed in – A person portrayed in

a drama, novel, or other artistic a drama, novel, or other artistic piece.piece.

ListeningListening – Focusing on what is – Focusing on what is being said or acted out onstage and being said or acted out onstage and reacting to it.reacting to it.

MovementMovement – How the actor uses – How the actor uses his/her body to create a character his/her body to create a character or to react to another character.or to react to another character.

Elements of Performance Elements of Performance continuedcontinued

Speaking StyleSpeaking Style – The manner in – The manner in which a character speaks – reflecting which a character speaks – reflecting cultural or historical influences.cultural or historical influences.

StorytellingStorytelling – The act of telling a – The act of telling a story in the oral tradition.story in the oral tradition.

Vocal ExpressionVocal Expression – The manner in – The manner in which an actor uses his/her voice in a which an actor uses his/her voice in a performance.performance.

Creative Dramatics – Creative Dramatics – a way of a way of learning through role playing and learning through role playing and

problem solving.problem solving.ImprovisationImprovisation – Creating a character or – Creating a character or

situation using movement and speech, situation using movement and speech, without prior rehearsal.without prior rehearsal.

MimicryMimicry – The practice of imitating – The practice of imitating another person or action.another person or action.

PantomimePantomime – A situation where the – A situation where the performer uses only gestures, body performer uses only gestures, body language, or facial expressions to language, or facial expressions to communicate feelings, emotions. Uses communicate feelings, emotions. Uses only physical movement and NO vocal only physical movement and NO vocal sounds.sounds.

Creative Dramatics continuedCreative Dramatics continued

Role-PlayingRole-Playing – Improvising – Improvising movement and dialogue to put movement and dialogue to put oneself in another’s place in a oneself in another’s place in a particular situation. This is often particular situation. This is often used to examine the person or used to examine the person or situation being improvised.situation being improvised.

StorytellingStorytelling – The act of telling a – The act of telling a story in the oral tradition.story in the oral tradition.

Styles – A distinctive manner Styles – A distinctive manner of dramatic expression; the of dramatic expression; the

way the dramatic and way the dramatic and production elements are put production elements are put

together.together.Folk TalesFolk Tales – Any story or tale passed – Any story or tale passed

on traditionally and based on on traditionally and based on superstition or false beliefs.superstition or false beliefs.

MythsMyths – Traditional stories dealing – Traditional stories dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes.or heroes.

Styles continuedStyles continued

TragedyTragedy – Portrays a story in which a – Portrays a story in which a hero (protagonist) has conflict with hero (protagonist) has conflict with an antagonist, and a tragic flaw in an antagonist, and a tragic flaw in the character of the hero causes his the character of the hero causes his death or defeat.death or defeat.

ComedyComedy – Light subject matter, – Light subject matter, often makes fun of human nature.often makes fun of human nature.

Historical Historical – Portrays an actual event – Portrays an actual event from history of life experience.from history of life experience.

Dance VocabularyDance Vocabulary

•Dance MovementDance Movement•Elements of DanceElements of Dance•Dance FormsDance Forms•PurposesPurposes

Dance Movement – Dance Movement – Human Human Movement Combined with Artistic Movement Combined with Artistic

ExpressionExpression• Movements Movements – Actions made by the – Actions made by the

bodybody• Locomotor MovementsLocomotor Movements – Actions of – Actions of

the body that cover space (e.g., walk, the body that cover space (e.g., walk, run, skip, hop, jump, slide, leap, and run, skip, hop, jump, slide, leap, and gallop).gallop).

• Nonlocomotor MovementsNonlocomotor Movements – – Actions of the body that do not cover Actions of the body that do not cover space (e.g., bend, stretch, twist, and space (e.g., bend, stretch, twist, and swing).swing).

Elements of Dance – Elements of Dance – The The basic parts of dance: Space, Time, basic parts of dance: Space, Time,

and Forceand Force• ForceForce – The use of energy while – The use of energy while

moving.moving.• SpaceSpace – The area covered by dance – The area covered by dance

movements (Directions, Level, movements (Directions, Level, Pathways, and Shape – see next Pathways, and Shape – see next slide)slide)

• Time Time – How fast or slow (tempo), – How fast or slow (tempo), even or uneven (beat) and how long even or uneven (beat) and how long or short (duration) the movement is.or short (duration) the movement is.

Space ElementsSpace Elements

• DirectionDirection – Forward, backward, – Forward, backward, sideway, up, down, etc.sideway, up, down, etc.

• Level Level – Distance from the floor.– Distance from the floor.• Pathways Pathways – Patterns that the body – Patterns that the body

makes as it moves through space on makes as it moves through space on the floor.the floor.

• ShapeShape – The design of the body as it – The design of the body as it exists in space.exists in space.

Dance Forms – The Way Dance Forms – The Way Movements are Put Movements are Put

TogetherTogether• Dance CompositionDance Composition – A group of – A group of

dance movements with a beginning, dance movements with a beginning, a middle, and an end.a middle, and an end.

• Expressive QualitiesExpressive Qualities – Ideas and – Ideas and emotions communicated by the emotions communicated by the movement patterns of a dance movement patterns of a dance composition.composition.

Purposes of Dance – The Purposes of Dance – The Reasons People DanceReasons People Dance

• Artistic DanceArtistic Dance – Dances created and – Dances created and performed in order to convey a meaning.performed in order to convey a meaning.

• Ceremonial DanceCeremonial Dance – Dances that are – Dances that are performed at celebrations (wedding performed at celebrations (wedding dances) or ceremonies (Native American dances) or ceremonies (Native American dances for hunting, war, rain, etc.)dances for hunting, war, rain, etc.)

• Recreational DanceRecreational Dance – Dances – Dances performed in a social setting (Folk, Line, performed in a social setting (Folk, Line, etc. )etc. )

ConclusionConclusion

• You are now ready to apply these You are now ready to apply these elements to thought. How they elements to thought. How they are assembled stimulate and are assembled stimulate and drive our emotions and minds.drive our emotions and minds.

elements of the arts

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