Music
An expression of organized sound in time.
Sound
An object vibrates, creating small variances in air pressure.
Audible sound range
20Hz to 20000Hz
Frequency
Vibrations per second or Hz
Pitch
Perceived fundamental frequency of a sound. (e.g. “A”=440 Hz)
Amplitude
Volume or dynamics of a sound
Overtone
Small variations of pitch within a note. Relative strength of overtones determines note color or timbre.
Ledger Line
Short line used to extend a staff of music.
Meter
Organization of pulse or beat. Synonymous with time signature. (3/4, 4/4, 5/8, etc)
Compound Meter
A meter with interchangeable time signatures.
4 Elements of Music
Melody, Rhythm, Harmony, Texture
Melody
Organized series of notes. (tune, phrase, theme, motive)
Levels of Dynamics
Pianissimo – very soft, pp
Piano – soft, p
Mezzo piano – medium soft, mp
Mezzo Forte – medium loud, mf
Forte – loud, f
Fortissimo – very loud, ff
Harmony
Two or more notes played at the same time, used to accompany melody
Consonance
Sounds “at rest”; resolved
Dissonance
Sounds unstable; unresolved
Rhythm
The beat and/or speed of the notes.
Adiago, lento, grave
Slow
Andante
Somewhat slow; walking tempo
Moderato
Moderate tempo
Allegretto
On the fast side, but not too fast.
Allegro
fast
Preso, Vivace
Very fast
Texture
The organization of all the different notes; includes the timbre of the sounds.
Monophony
A single, unaccompanied melody
Homophony
A single, main melody accompanied by other non-melodic sounds.
Polyphony
Two or more melodies are played or sung simultaneously.
Functional Harmony
Three or more notes played simultaneously. First used during Baroque period.
First Principle of Functional Harmony
Chords are not used equally. The 1 chord is used the most, then the 5, then 4,2,6, followed by 7, 3.
Second Principle of Functional Harmony
Chord movement is done by leaps of 4. 3-6-2-5-1
4 families of orchestral instruments
Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion
String instruments
violin, viola, cello, double bass
Woodwind instruments
oboe, saxophone, clarinet, bassoon, flute
Brass instruments
trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba
Percussion
drums, keyboards (harpsichord, piano), struck strings (guitar, mandolin)

Only percussion used during Baroque period was timpani.

Medieval period music
Gregorian Chant
Renaissance period music
Mass choirs
Iconic Baroque composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
Two popular books written by Bach.
“The Well-Tempered Clavier” and “The Art of Fugue”
During Baroque period, musicians were seen as ____ rather than _____.
artisans, artists
“Well tempered” tuning was invented during the ____ time period.
Baroque
During the Baroque time period, music was performed mainly where?
churches and royal courts
Concerto
piece written for soloist and orchestra
Concerto Grosso
piece written for several soloists plus an orchestra
Ritornello Form
A piece written with contrasting soloist and orchestral parts.
Fugue
A polyphonic texture in several voices that uses a melodic subject which is then imitated in the other voices.
Continuo
An improvised supporting harmonic played by a keyboard and a bass instrument.
Suite
Instrumental music written as a series of dance-inspired movements.
Characteristics of Baroque music
Rhythm patterns are repeated through a song.
Melody fragments also repeat.
Dynamics constant with abrupt changes.
Motor Rhythms
Phrases repeat with minor variations.
Motor Rhythms
Phrases repeat with minor variations.
Terraced Dynamics
Jumps from one dynamic to another. No crescendos or decrescendos.
George Frederic Handel
German composer (1685-1759)
Oratorio
A music setting of a religious libretto for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra. Performed as a drama without scenery or costumes outside of a church.
Cantata
A musical setting of a religious libretto for solo voices, chorus, and instruments. Performed as part of a church service.
Libretto
Text of an oratorio, cantata, or opera.
Castrato
A castrated male singer used to sing female roles.