Music Appreciation Class Notes - Music Appreciation Class...

Music Appreciation Class Notes
Music Elements
• Notation
• Melody
• Rhythm
• Harmony
• Texture
• Form
• Dynamics
• Timbre
Notation
• Written on paper, so that the music may be performed again and again
• Music notation system
• Enjoyment and understanding of most music is not dependent upon the ability to read and
interpret written music notation
Melody- (line, space)
• A succession of single tones or pitches that are perceived to be unified.
o Ex. Brahms, Symphony No. 1 4 th movement
Characteristics of melody
• Pitch- the highness or lowness of a tone, depending on the frequency (rate of vibration)
o Ex. Beethoven, symphony no. 5 in c minor, 1 st movement
• Interval- the distance and relationship between two pitches.
o Ex. Chopin, prelude in e minor, op. 28, no. 4
• Range- the distance between the lowest and highest tones of a melody, an instrument or a
voice. (narrow, medium or wide)
• Phrase- as in language, a unit of meaning within a larger structure; thus, a melody may be
divided into component phrases
o Ex. Beethoven, Symphony No. 9, 4 th movement, “ode to joy”
Types of Voices
• Bass- lowest range man
• Baritone- medium woman
• Tanner-highest range man
• Alto- lowest woman voice
• Mezzo-soprano- medium woman
• Soprano-highest woman
Rhythm- (Rhythm, Pattern, Repetition, Time)
• Rhythm- The element of time in music
o Ex. Ravel, bolero
Characteristics of Rhythm
• Beat- regular pulsation; a basic unit of length in musical time.
o Ex. Haydn, Symphony No. 94 (Surprise), third movement
• Accent- emphasis on a note, so that it is louder or longer than another.
• Tempo- the rate of speed or pace of the musical pulse. (largo, adagio, andante, allegro)
Harmony- (Balance)

• The simultaneous combination of notes and the ensuing relationships of intervals and
chords.
o Ex. Mozart, piano concerto in c major, k. 467, second movement
• Syncopation- deliberate upsetting of the meter or pulse through a temporary shifting of
the accent to a weak beat, or an offbeat.
• Chord- simultaneous combination of tones (typically three or more) that constitute a
single block of harmony.
Texture-
• The interweaving of melodic (horizontal) and harmonic elements in the musical fabric.
• Monophonic- one voice/part presents a single melody
• Homophonic- principle melody and accompanying harmony.
o Ex. Mozart, piano concerto in c major, k. 467, second movement
• Polyphonic- two or more melodies combine into a multi-voiced texture.
o Ex. Mozart, requiem, “Kyrie eleison”
• Heterophonic: two or more voices/parts elaborate on the same melody simultaneously.
Form- (Shape, Form)
• Form- the structure or shape of a musical work, based on repetition, contrast, and
variation; the organizing principle of music.
Characteristics of Form:
• Repetition- within a form, repetition fixes the material in our mind and satisfies our need
for the familiar; it provides unity to a form.