Sound
begins with the vibration of an object; the vibrations are transmitted to our ears by a medium, usually air
Duration
the length of time a musical sound lasts
Pitch
relative highness or lowness that we hear in a sound
Frequency
speed of vibrations, which is measured in cycles per second
Tone
a sound that has a definite pitch
Tone
a sound that has a definite pitch
Interval
the “distance” in pitch between any two tones
Octave
when tones are sepearted by this interval, they sound very much alike
Pitch Range (Range)
distance between the lowest and highest tones that a voice or an instrument can produce
Dynamics
degrees of loudness or softness
Accent
emphasis on a tone by playing it more loudly than the tones around it
pianissimo
pp – very soft
piano
p – soft
mezzo piano
mp – moderately soft
mezzo forte
mf – moderately loud
forte
f – loud
fortissimo
ff – very loud
decrescendo
gradually softer
crescendo
gradually louder
Timbre (Tone Color)
quality that distinguishes one tone from another (differences between instruments)

Uses words such as bright, dark, brilliant, mellow, rich

Characteristics of a Sound
Pitch (highness/lowness)
Dynamics (loudness/softness)
Tone color (which instrument is being played)
Duration (how long the sound lasts)
Decrescendo
Gradually softer
Crescendo
gradually louder
listening outline
each item describes some musical sound
ID Orchestra Musical Song
T: The Firebird
C: Stravinsky
M: Orchestra
G: ballet
S: contrasting dynamics
ID Jazz song
T: C-Jam Blues
C: Ellington
M: Jazz Band
G: Miniature
S: Tone color (timber)