The Elements of Music
Voices The 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 timbre Melody-succession of musical tones Rhythm-the way music paces itself Timbre-quality of sound
Voices Similar 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 Voices Male Voices
Thomas Edison Invented the phonograph in 1877 Prior to this invention you had to experience music live in order to hear it It made music from around the world accessible to everyone!!!
Elements of Music Regardless of the music style or origin, almost all music shares common elements. 1. Sound- begins with the vibration of an object 2. Timbre- the quality of sound
Rhythm The lifeblood of music and the flow of music through time A. 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 whole A. Climax- often the highest tone of the melody or emotional focal point B. Sequence- repetition of a melodic pattern at a high or low pitch
Harmony Harmony- the way chords are constructed and how they follow each other A. Chord- combination of 3 or more tones sounded at once B. Triad- simplest most basic chord C. 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 Texture Refers to how many different layers of sound are heard at once, and how they are related to each other 1. Monophonic- meaning one sound 2. Polyphonic- many sounds competing for attention 3. Homophonic- one main melody accompanied by chords
Musical Style Refers 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 Empathy The ability to look at the world from another person’s perspective This will help us know other people better and be able to be empathetic towards them and their culture