Chapter Eleven
Dynamics,
Timbre, and
Texture
Basic Elements of Music
Rhythm
Melody (pitch)
Harmony
Timbre (sound)
Dynamics
Texture
Form (shape)
Dynamics
Dynamics are the relative volume of sound
and are measured in decibels.
Dynamics go from the threshold of sensation
(softest sound we can hear) to the threshold
of pain.
Experts agree that continued exposure to noise
above 85 decibels, over time, will cause hearing
loss. Noise levels above 140 decibels can cause
damage to hearing after just one exposure.
Dynamics
Common sounds measured in decibels
0
softest sound a person can hear
10
normal breathing
20
whispering at 5 feet
30
soft whisper
50
rainfall
60
normal conversation
75-85 flush toilet
112
CD player or car stereo on high
120
rock concert
Dynamics
When applied to music, dynamics are referred to by the
abbreviations of the Italian terms for loud and soft—
Abbr.
pp
p
mp
mf
f
ff
Italian term
pianissimo-piano-mezzo piano-mezzo forte-forte-fortissimo--
Dynamic
very soft
soft
medium soft
medium loud
loud
very loud
Timbre (tam-ber)
The tone quality of a sound, also called tone color, which
distinguishes two instruments or voices or groups of
instruments or voices. Terms such as bright, dark, thin,
mellow, brilliant, nasal, etc. are used to describe timbre.
Blended Timbre
Like-Instrument Ensemble
(all flutes, for example)
Diverse Timbre
Many Different Instruments and Voices
(symphony orchestra, for example)
Texture Types
(Refer back to Intro to Intro Powerpoint)
Monophonic
Homophonic
Polyphonic
Heterophonic
Homorhythmic
Polyrhythmic
Monophonic Texture
Single Melody Line
Can have more than one performer
but everyone plays or sings the
same thing.
Examples
singing
Happy Birthday
violin section playing a solo
Homophonic Texture
Predominant Melody with
Subordinate Accompaniment
Examples
• Dave Matthew's singing while his band
plays the accompaniment
•Flute solo with piano accompaniment
Polyphonic Texture
Two or More musical lines of
equal importance
Example
•Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Heterophonic Texture
A Texture in which each performer
presents his/her own Variation of the
melody at the same time. There are very
few examples of heterophony in Western
music. And there is no Western genre
that relies on heterophony.
Homorhythmic Texture
A texture with several different
parts with the same or nearly
identical rhythm.
Polyrhythmic Texture
A texture with an organizing factor
[usually too rapid to be perceived as a beat]
that
unifies several different rhythms [often
contrasting] that are played together
Symphony Orchestras
Symphony Orchestras
Have grown in size over the years
17th––18th Century
15-30 players
19th-21st Century
30-120 players
Romantic Era (1820-1900)
Widespread acceptance and increase in
popularity of Public Concerts
 Concerts moved to larger halls
 Composers experimented with larger
forces
 Valves developed ca. 1815 for brass
instruments

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Britten’s most famous piece of music is
Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra:
Variations and a Fugue on a Theme of
Henry Purcell.
Britten wrote the piece for the film The
Instruments of the Orchestra. It normally
includes a narration which has been
recorded by many actors over the years.
Sections (Families) of the Orchestra
Strings—
violins, violas, cellos, string
basses, etc.
Woodwinds—
clarinets, oboes, flutes,
bassoons, etc.
Brass—
trumpets, French horns, trombones,
tubas, etc.
Percussion—
snare drums, tympani, bells,
tambourines, cymbals, etc.
Seating Plan of Orchestra
Seating Plan of Orchestra
Strings
String Family
Violin
Viola
Cello
Bass
(with cello)
Woodwinds
Woodwind Family
Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
Brass
Solid Brass Quartet
Brass Family
Tuba
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Percussion
Percussion
Timpani
Snare
Xylophone
Cymbals
Hand Percussion