Basic Elements of Music
Elements of Music
• Dynamics
• Is the music soft or loud?
• Instrumentation
• What instruments/voices
are used?
• Are groups of 3 or 4
used?
• Is the music fast or slow?
• Meter
• Tempo
• Texture
• Timbre
• 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 Families
Woodwind
Brass
String
Percussion
Flute
Trumpet
Violin/Fiddle
Drum
Clarinet
Trombone
Double
Bass
Guitar
Piano
Saxophone French Horn
Oboe
Tuba
Banjo
Marimba/
Xylophone
Bells
Bassoon
Euphonium
Dulcimer
Triangle
Meter
Basic Time Signatures
4/4
3/4
6/8
1&2&3&4&
1&2&3&
1 2 3 4 5 6 or 1 &a 2 &a
Tempo
Presto
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)
Texture
Simple
Same rhythm played by all musicians
Complex
Different rhythm played by each musician
Monophonic
One melodic line without harmonic
accompaniment
Multiple melodic voices which are
independent from one another
multiple voices in which the melody and other
voices form a background of harmonic
accompaniment. All parts have very similar
rhythm.
two or more voices simultaneously
performing variations of the same melody
Polyphonic
Homophonic
Heterophonic
Tempo
Presto
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