Arts and Humanities Music Review
Elements of Music Rhythm Tempo Melody Harmony Form Timbre Dynamics
Rhythm The pattern of notes and rests
Tempo The speed of the music
Tempo Markings Largo Moderato Allegro Presto Very slow Medium speed Fast tempo Presto Very fast
Melody The main part of the song that can be hummed by the listener
Harmony Two or more notes sounded together
Form The way the music is organized Overture Introduction for operas and ballets
Types of Forms AB ABA Call and Response 2 contrasting sections 2 contrasting sections that repeats back to the 1st section Call and Response One group performs and another group echoes
Timbre The unique characteristic of sound VOCAL TIMBRES Soprano Alto High Female Voice Alto Low Female Voice Tenor High Male Voice Bass Low Male Voice
INSTRUMENT FAMILIES Woodwind Brass String Percussion Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon Brass Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba String Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar Percussion Drums, Xylophone, Tambourine, Cymbals
Dynamics The loudness or softness of music Pianissimo (pp) Very Soft Piano (p) Soft Mezzo Piano (mp) Moderately Soft Mezzo Forte (mf) Moderately Loud Forte (f) Loud Fortissimo (ff) Very Loud
Music Symbols Staff Treble Clef Bass Clef
Baroque Period Important Composers George Frederic Handel Known for oratorios (“The Messiah”) Johann Sebastian Bach Cantatas for his church services
Classical Period Important Composers Franz Josef Haydn “The father of the Symphony” Ludwig Van Beethoven Most well known is his “5th Symphony”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart A child prodigy Wrote many symphonies and operas
Romantic Period Important Composers Richard Wagner Peter Tchaikovsky Known for his operas Ride of the Valkyries The Flying Dutchman Peter Tchaikovsky Known for his ballets The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet
Modern Period Jazz Music Improvisation Combines spirituals, blues, and improvisation to create a new and unique style Improvisation To create music spontaneously (“on the spot”)
Purposes of Music Ceremonial Artistic Recreational Music for ceremonies and rituals Star Spangled Banner, Wedding March Artistic Music used to express emotion Ballet Music Recreational Music for Fun Dance Music