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Unit 1: Elements

Unit 1: Elements. Introduction . Why Music? What are some of the abstract qualities that draw us to music?. Music in Society. Where? Why?. The Magic of Live Performance. Recording Technology is relatively new. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. Section 1: Sound. Sounds.

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Unit 1: Elements

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  1. Unit 1: Elements

  2. Introduction • Why Music? • What are some of the abstract qualities that draw us to music?

  3. Music in Society • Where? • Why?

  4. The Magic of Live Performance • Recording Technology is relatively new. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877.

  5. Section 1: Sound

  6. Sounds • They are everywhere! • Some are pleasant, others not so much… • Silence?

  7. Science • Sound: is a wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through air and composed of frequencies within the range of hearing.

  8. Music is art based on the organization of sound in time into the following categories; • Pitch • Dynamics • Tone Color • Duration

  9. Pitch

  10. Definition • Pitch is the relative highness or lowness of a sound

  11. Science • The pitch of a sound is determined by the frequency of its vibrations • Faster vibration = Higher pitch • Slower vibration = Lower pitch

  12. The highest note on the piano vibrates at approximately 4,186 cycles/second • The lowest around 27 cycles/second

  13. In general, the smaller the vibrating object, the faster its vibrations and the higher the pitch • High/Short • Trumpet • Violin • Female Voice • Lower/Longer • Tuba • Double Bass • Male Voice

  14. Tone vs. Noise • Tones • Have a specific frequency • Vibrations are at regular intervals • Noise • Indefinite in pitch because they are produced by irregular vibrations • Ex. Squeaking brakes, crashing cymbals, etc.

  15. Intervals • The “distance” between two pitches is called an interval. • Intervals that clash are called dissonant • Intervals that blend well are called consonant

  16. The Octave • Is the interval separating two notes that are essentially the same • The frequencies of the octave follow a 2:1ratio • Ex. If a tone is at 440 cycles per second the tone an octave higher would be 880. What would the frequency of the tone an octave below?

  17. Octave Cont. • The octave is an important interval because the space between the octave is filled with seven distinct notes that make up the musical scales off of which most music is based.

  18. Dynamics

  19. Dynamics • Dynamics are degrees of loudness or softness in music

  20. Science • The dynamics of a pitch are determined by the Amplitude of the wave • Ex. The harder a string is plucked or the harder a drum is struck the louder it will sound.

  21. Dynamics Cont. • A composer may change the dynamics of a piece by asking the performers to all play softer or louder • Or the composer may use the size (amount) of forces playing to effectively change the dynamic levels

  22. Different dynamic levels can be used to create different moods throughout a piece. • Soft can convey ideas such as tenderness, playfulness, tranquility, etc. • Loud can convey power, anger, boldness, etc.

  23. Dynamic Terms in Music Term/Abbreviation Meaning Very Soft Soft Moderately Soft Moderately Loud Loud Very Loud • Pianissimo “pp” • Piano “p” • Mezzo Piano “mp” • Mezzo Forte “mf” • Forte “F” • Fortissimo “FF”

  24. Dynamic Terms in Music Term Meaning Gradually Softer Gradually Louder • Decrescendo • Crescendo

  25. Dynamic Terms in Music • For the far extremes of the dynamic range composers add “p’s” and “F’s” • Ex. pppor FFF

  26. Tone Color

  27. Tone Color • Tone Color or Timbre refers to the quality of a sound. • If a trumpet and a flute play the exact same note at the same volume can you distinguish one from the other?

  28. Tone Color • Often times people will use words like bright, dark, brilliant, rich, or mellow to describe different timbres or tone colors.

  29. Tone Color • When it comes to tone color, composers have a wide range of options. Each individual instrument commonly used in music has its own distinct sound. Also, combinations of different instruments can provide even more possibilities.

  30. Tone Color • The two main factors that contribute to an instruments timbre are; • How the vibration that initiates the sound triggered • What the vibrating object (instrument) is made of. * There are thousands of other minute factors that also contribute to tone color but these two are the most crucial.

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