Chapter 2The Elements of Music

VoicesThe universal instrument—Our VOICES!Because of the use of this instrument and

others, music is the universal language!Music from all over has musical elements

in common melody, rhythm, and timbreMelody-succession of musical tonesRhythm-the way music paces itselfTimbre-quality of sound

VoicesSimilar to a fingerprint, your voice is

one of the most distinguishing characteristics that makes you unique.

Your voice helps you express yourself and convey your moods.

It gives you enormous power- the power to communicate both speech and song

Singing is just sustained speech

Just as your voice says something or represents you, certain music says something and represents different

cultures!

-Listen to your own voice, what does it sound like?

Timbre

Female VoicesSoprano- the high

female voiceMezzo soprano- the

intermediate female voice

Alto- the low female voice

Male VoicesTenor- the high male

voiceBaritone- the

intermediate male voiceBass- the lower male

register

Thomas EdisonInvented the phonograph in 1877Prior to this invention you had to experience

music live in order to hear itIt made music from around the world

accessible to everyone!!!

Elements of MusicRegardless of the music style or origin,

almost all music shares common elements.1. Sound- begins with the vibration of an

object2. Timbre- the quality of sound

Rhythm The lifeblood of music and the flow of music

through timeA. Beat- pulsation that divides music into equal

units of time, some are strong and some are weak

B. Meter- organization of beats into regular groups

C. Accent- to emphasize a note or play it louder than the notes around it

D. Tempo- the speed of the beat and the basic pace of the music

Melody Melody- series of single notes that add up to

a recognizable wholeA. Climax- often the highest tone of the melody

or emotional focal pointB. Sequence- repetition of a melodic pattern at

a high or low pitch

HarmonyHarmony- the way chords are constructed

and how they follow each otherA. Chord- combination of 3 or more tones

sounded at onceB. Triad- simplest most basic chordC. Tonic- the main chord of a piece, most stable

Key or “tonality”Central tone, chord, and scale (C would be

the first note in the scale as do)A. Scale- basic pitches of a piece of music

arranged in order from low to high or high to low

B. Modulation- shift from one key to another within the same piece

Musical TextureRefers to how many different layers of sound

are heard at once, and how they are related to each other

1. Monophonic- meaning one sound2. Polyphonic- many sounds competing for

attention3. Homophonic- one main melody accompanied

by chords

Musical StyleRefers to a characteristic way of treating the

various musical elements

Who they are (Intro to Culture)Anthropologists- scientists who study the

physical and cultural characteristics and customs of a group of people

Ethnomusicologists- professionals that study the music of different cultures

Developing EmpathyThe ability to look at the world from another

person’s perspectiveThis will help us know other people better

and be able to be empathetic towards them and their culture