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.

Cello

Viola

Bass

Violin

Woodwinds

Flute

ClarinetOboe

Saxophone

Brass

TrumpetFrench Horn

Trombone

Tuba Baritone

Percussion

Drums

Xylophone

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