Elements of Music
1. Melody
A. Simple without ornamentation
B. Elaborate with a great deal of ornamentation
C. Vocally conceived (simple, diatonic movement, small range)
D. Instrumentally conceived (large skips, large range)
2. Texture
A. Monophony: a single, unaccompanied line (Medieval)
B. Polyphony: a combination of melodic lines within many voices
(Renaissance, Baroque)
C. Homophony: a single line with vertical harmonic accompaniment
(Baroque, Classical, Romantic)
3. Harmony
A. Modal: ancient, Medieval and early to middle Renaissance music
organized around the eight church modes
B. Tonal: organized around a central, home tone or chord (Baroque,
Classical, Romantic and Contemporary)
C. Atonal: the lack of a central tone, the lack of a pull toward a tonal center
(early 20th century and Contemporary)
4. Rhythm
A. Meter: regular or irregular pulse
B. Pace: fast, slow
5. Dynamics
A. Terraced or Blocked (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque)
B. Gradual (Classical, Romantic, Contemporary)
6. Timbre (Tone Color)
A. Vocal: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
B. Instrumental: String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion
7. Form (the way in which the music is organized)
A. Theme and Variation
B. Repetition and Contrast