Basic Elements of Music

Elements of Music• Dynamics

• Instrumentation

• Meter

• Tempo

• Texture

• Timbre

• Is the music soft or loud?

• What instruments/voices are used?

• Are groups of 3 or 4 used?

• Is the music fast or slow?

• Is there harmony? How is it organized?

• Is the music dark or brilliant; rich or mellow?

Dynamic Markings

Pianissimo Very Soft

Piano Soft

Mezzo Piano Moderately Soft

Mezzo Forte Moderately Loud

Forte Loud

Fortissimo Very Loud

Decrescendo Gradually Softer

Crescendo Gradually Louder

Instrument FamiliesWoodwind Brass String Percussion

Flute Trumpet Violin/Fiddle Drum

Clarinet Trombone Double Bass

Piano

Saxophone French Horn Guitar Marimba/ Xylophone

Oboe Tuba Banjo Bells

Bassoon Euphonium Dulcimer Triangle

Meter

Basic Time Signatures

4/4 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

3/4 1 & 2 & 3 &

6/8 1 2 3 4 5 6 or 1 &a 2 &a

TempoPresto very fast (168–200 bpm)

Allegro fast and bright (120–168 bpm)

Allegretto moderately fast

Moderato moderately (108–120 bpm)

Andante at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)

Adagio slow and stately (66–76 bpm)

Grave slow and solemn

Lento very slow (40–60 bpm)

TextureSimple Same rhythm played by all musicians

Complex Different rhythm played by each musician

Monophonic One melodic line without harmonic accompaniment

Polyphonic Multiple melodic voices which are independent from one another

Homophonic multiple voices in which the melody and other voices form a background of harmonic accompaniment. All parts have very similar rhythm.

Heterophonic two or more voices simultaneously performing variations of the same melody

TempoPresto very fast (168–200 bpm)

Allegro fast and bright (120–168 bpm)

Allegretto moderately fast

Moderato moderately (108–120 bpm)

Andante at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)

Adagio slow and stately (66–76 bpm)

Grave slow and solemn

Lento very slow (40–60 bpm)

Timbre(tone color)

• dark – brilliant

• opaque - transparent

• rich - mellow

• fuzzy - clear

• dull - sharp

• complex - simple