Elements and
Classifiaction
Elements of Music
Timbre Categories
Genre vs. Musical Style
Genre Categories
Objectives
• Students will be able to:
– List the four elements of music and define the
terms in their own words.
– List and define timbre categories of musical
instruments.
– Understand the difference between genre and
musical style.
– Describe the characteristics of traditional,
popular, and classical music.
Elements of Music
• Melody- A logical succession of
tones.- The part of the song that is
most familiar and is usually
remembered.
• Rhythm- The way beats and pulses
are organized.
Elements of Music
(Continued)
• Pitch- The highness or lowness of a
tone. – Determined by the frequency
of wavelengths of sound waves.
• Timbre- The distinct tonal quality of
an instrument or voice. – What make
the instrument or voice sound unique?
Timbre Categories
(Based on the way sound
is produced)
• Aerophone- Sound is produced by a
vibrating column of air.
• Chordophone- Sound is produce by
the vibrations of strings.
• Membranophone- Sound is produced
by striking a membrane stretched
over a hollow sound box.
Timbre Categories
(Continued)
• Idiophone- Sound is produced by the
actual structure of the instrument.
• Electrophone- Sound is produced by
electricity.
Categorize the
Instrument
• Categorize the following instruments
into their proper timbre categories.
–
–
–
–
Flute
Electric guitar
Piano
Snare drum
Xylophone
Organ
Harmonica
Cymbals
Listening Activity
• Listen to the following examples of
music. On your paper, write the
timbre categories for the
instruments heard in the examples.
There will be 8 examples. List them
as A-H on your paper.
Genre vs. Musical Style
• A genre designates a particular type
of music with a distinctive sound.
• Musical style is a form of expression
within a genre.
• These two concepts are often
confused with each other. Remember
a genre is a broader category.
Genre or Musical Style?
• On your paper, write whether the
following types of music is a genre or
musical style.
–
–
–
–
Country and western
Hip hop
Heavy metal
jazz
Traditional Music
• Informal
• Develops within and is associated with a
particular cultural group or region.
• Closely tied to language, environment, and
social customs.
• Oldest category of music.
• Audience participation is sometimes
encouraged.
Popular Music
•
•
•
•
Intended for a wide audience.
Often features prominent melodies.
Primarily a form of entertainment.
Usually not restricted to particular uses
and settings.
• Often identified with the commercial side
of music.
• Audience participation is often
encouraged.
Classical Music
•
•
•
•
“Art” music.
Musicians generally have formal training.
Performances tend to be more refined.
Audience participation is usually not
encouraged.
• In the past, only the wealthy citizens and
leaders were allowed access to this type
of music.
Listening activity
• Listen to the following two examples
of music. Write your response to the
following questions for each of the
musical examples.
• What is the social function of the
music? Where would you hear it?
What function would it serve?
Listening Activity
(Continued)
• Listen to two different recordings of
the same pieces and answer the
following questions.
• Would you categorize these pieces in
the same way? Do you think the
function or intended audience is
different? Explain.