Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Music Mr. Jackson Music Theory V

Aspects of Sound Sound has…. V

Aspects of Sound Wavelength V  Wavelength is the distance between one wave and the next.  Shorter wavelengths produce higher pitches  Frequency is the rate of vibration measured in “times per second” – called Hertz.  For example: when a violinist plays an A string – the string vibrates back and forth 440 times per second, or 440 Hertz (Hz)  The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch – and the shorter the wavelength

Aspects of Sound Wave height V  Wave height refers to the “height” or “intensity” of the wave.  This is the Amplitude of the wave.  In music, we refer to this as the Dynamic Level or Loudness.

Aspects of Sound Waveform V  Wave height refers to the shape of the save as it moves, producing its Unique Quality.  Timbre refers to the specific quality of sound.  Is made of more than one frequency (HARMONICS/OVERTONES)  Example: Singing an A vs. Playing an A on the piano (Same pitch – but they sound different.)

Aspects of Sound Envelope V  Envelope refers to the sound’s ATACK, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE.  We know this as Articulation in music.

Aspects of Sound Duration V  Duration is the LENGTH OF TIME sound and silence lasts.

The Staff and Clefs The Staff V  Music is written on a Staff (STAVES for plural). Originally, we only had 4 lines on our staff (In Gregorian Chant time) – but now we have 5 Lines.  At first, Movable C Clefs were used at a time when music was mostly a single line of melody. (MONOPHONIC)  Clefs originally conformed to Vocal Ranges.

The Staff and Clefs Clefs V  When music became increasingly more complex, with multiple layers and different lines being played at the same time, such as in POLYPHONIC MUSIC…  One clef fore all female voices bean to be used (Above Middle C) was used: The Treble Clef  The Bass Clef was used for Male Voices  When we use the Treble Clef and Bass Clef together it is called The Grand Staff. Note: The Grand Staff uses the lines and spaces to navigate through the Musical Alphabet (A-G), continuing with Ledger Lines in both directions!

The Staff and Clefs Clefs (Cont..) V  Although most instruments use either the Treble of Bass Clef, some instruments regularly read Movable C Clefs or other clefs to avoid excessive ledger lines.  Viola players commonly read AltoClef  Trombone, Bassoon, and Cello players will often play TenorClef.  Percussionists often read from The Neutral Clef Remember that with Movable C Clefs, the center of the clef designates where Middle C is!

The Staff and Clefs Clefs (Cont..) V

The Staff and Clefs Octave Designation V

The Staff and Clefs Ledger Lines V  Ledger Lines extend the staff in either direction.

Pitch & Accidentals Accidentals V  Accidentals alter pitch in some form.  Flats lower a pitch by a Half Step.  Sharps raise a pitch by a Half Step.  Double Sharps raise a pitch by a Whole Step.  Double Flats lower a pitch by a Whole Step.  Natural Signs CANCEL out any Sharps or Flats.

Pitch & Accidentals The Piano V  The Piano is a great and effective visualization of how Western Music organizes whole and half steps.

Pitch & Accidentals Enharmonics V  Enharmonic Equivalents are two notes that sound alike but have two different names.

Music Notation Elements & Rules V  Interval- the distance between two notes.