Musical Elements
by Kyle Luckenbill
1. Tempo
1.1. How fast or slow the beat is performed
1.2. Uses Italian words to describe
1.2.1. Presto - Very Fast
1.2.2. Allegro - Fast
1.2.3. Moderato - Medium
1.2.4. Andante - Slow
1.2.5. Largo - Very Slow
2. Rhythm
2.1. Patterns of sound built on the beat
2.2. Usually repetitive throughout a piece of music
3. Melody
3.1. One pitch played at a time
3.2. The main part of a piece of music
4. Harmony
4.1. Two or more pitches played at the same time
4.2. The background of a piece of music
4.3. Supports the melody
4.4. Two types of harmony
4.4.1. Consonant - notes combine and sound like they belong together
4.4.2. Dissonant - notes combine and sound like they do not belong together
5. Form
5.1. The "shape" of the music
5.2. Tracks new and repeated music
5.3. Uses letters
5.4. New music = Next letter
5.5. Repeated music = Same letter
6. Dynamics
6.1. How loud or soft the music is performed
6.2. Use Italian words and abbreviations to describe
6.2.1. ff - Fortissimo - Very Loud
6.2.2. f - Forte - Loud
6.2.3. mf - Mezzo Forte - Medium Loud
6.2.4. mp - Mezzo Piano - Medium Soft
6.2.5. p - Piano - Soft
6.2.6. pp - Pianissimo - Very Soft
7. Articulation
7.1. How note sounds start and stop
7.2. Uses Italian words to describe
7.2.1. Staccato - short and separated
7.2.2. Legato - smooth and connected