Elements of Music

Elements of Music

by Mrs. Bush

Learning Intention:

1. I will learn to describe the tempo and dynamics of music I listen to.

2. ​I will understand the concepts of melody, beat and rhythm.

 

Success Criteria

1. I can to describe the tempo and dynamics of music I listen to.

2. ​I can understand the concepts of melody, beat and rhythm.

​Elements of Music

​To begin this week's lesson, watch the video on the elements of music, to give you an overall sense about what the elements are.

​Elements of Music

​In this lesson, we are going to take a closer look at the elements of music. You will be watching a series of short videos explaining the elements of:

• ​Duration (Beat and Rhythm)

• ​Melody

• ​Tempo

• ​Dynamics

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​After each video, you will have a short quiz to check for your understanding of that element. At the end you will have a final quiz covering all of the elements including timbre from last week. It is important that you watch every video.

​Duration (Rhythm & Beat)

Beat and rhythm provide the backbone of music, supporting all the other elements. Watch this short video to learn all about beat and rhythm.

​Duration (Rhythm & Beat) Continued

The long and short sounds that make up rhythm, are written with music notes. Previously, you have learnt these as ta, ta-a, ti-ti etc. and also as quater notes, half notes etc.

​The following two short videos will further your understanding of rhythm:

Multiple Choice

Which statement is correct when talking about "beat"?

• The beat consists of long and short sounds.

• The beat is the steady pulse you feel in the tune, like the tick of a clock.

• The beat tells us how loud to play the music.

• The beat can only be played on a drum kit.

Multiple Choice

The minim, or half note, has how many beats?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

​Melody

​The melody of a piece of music is the part we usually sing. Or, in an instrumental piece, it is the part that we hear the strongest and we might hum it once the song is over. ​Watch the short video on melody.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes "melody"?

• When everyone starts to sing the song at different times.

• The part of music that is always played by percussion instruments.

• When the beat speeds up from largo to allegro.

• A sequence of single notes combining pitch and rhythm to make a tune.

​Tempo

​The tempo refers too the speed a piece of music is played. As you will see from the video below, there is much more to tempo than just fast and slow.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes "tempo"?

• The speed at which a piece of music is to be played.

• A sequence of single notes combining pitch and rhythm to make a tune.

• When everyone starts to sing the song at different times.

• How quietly or loudly a piece of music should be played.

Multiple Choice

If a composer wants his or her music played at Allegro, you might see the image to the left placed above the staff. What does the 120 represent?

• It means that the music should be played at 120 beats per minim (bpm).

• It means there can only be 120 beats per melody (bpm).

• It means the music should be played at a speed of 120 beats per minute (bpm).

• It means that the  music should be played at 120 beats per moderato (bpm).

​Dynamics

​Dynamics refers to how loud or soft a piece of music is played. Many songs use a combination of dynamics to create mood and to make it more interesting.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes "dynamics"?

• Dynamics refers to how loud or soft a piece of music should be played.

• Dynamics refers to how fast or slow a piece of music should be played.

• Dynamics refers to how long or short a piece of music is.

• Dynamics refers to the long and short sounds in music.

Quiz Time

​That completes your lesson on the elements duration, melody, tempo and dynamics.

​

Next up is a short quiz where you will listen to music and answer questions about what you hear.

Multiple Choice

Listen to the short section of the song "El Scorcho" by the band Weezer. Make sure you listen to the entire 55 seconds. You can listen to it more than once if you need to make sure of your answer. Choose the statement about tempo that best describes what you heard.

• Allegro (fast and bright) then adagio (slow with expression), then back to allegro.

• Adagio (slow with expression), then allegro (fast and bright) and back to adagio. 

• Adagio (slow with expression) then allegro (fast and bright).

• The song goes from forte to piano to forte.

Multiple Choice

Listen to the section of the song, "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked. Ensure to listen to the whole track. Which statement best reflects the dynamics of the music?

• The whole track is played and sung in piano.

• Crescendos are used to build the music up from piano to forte.

• The whole track is played and sung in forte.

• The music begins in forte and then a decrescendo takes it to piano where it finishes.

Multiple Choice

Listen to the first verse and chorus of Olivia Rodrigo's Good for You. Does the tempo change?

Hint: You can tap along to the beat if this helps.

• Yes, it starts slow and gets faster.

• Yes, it stats fast and gets slower.

• No, the whole song is slow.

• No, the whole song is moderato.

Multiple Choice

A sequence of single notes and rhythms is called what? 

• Dynamics

• Timbre

• Melody

• Tempo

Multiple Choice

Listen to the track. Choose the words that best describe the timbre of the music.

• Fun and upbeat.

• Gentle and calming.

• Spooky and intense.

• Warm and mellow.

Lesson Complete

​This completes your lesson and the quiz on the elements duration, melody, tempo and dynamics with a dash of timbre.

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I hope this has given you a more thorough understanding of the elements that are put together to create music, whether it's music for entertainment, video games, movies or any other purpose. These are the tools that can help you to create your own music.