15.1: The Elements of Music
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15.1 The Elements of Music
Creating contrast usually involves varying one or more of the “Elements of Music,” which are listed and explained below.
| Melody |
We all know what melody is, but don’t confuse melody with ostinato! Melody lives and breathes and has variety. |
| Harmony |
In this section, we will associate harmony with key and mode (major versus minor). |
| Rhythm |
What the most common rhythmic value is in a section. |
| Timbre |
The different tone colors of different instruments, and the different tone colors an individual instrument can produce. |
| Texture |
Described in the previous chapter as existing in the vertical plane (the number of voices) and the horizontal plane (rhythmic activity of the various voices). |
| Articulation |
Staccato versus legato, or short, clipped notes versus long, sustained or connected notes. |
| Dynamics |
Loud versus soft. |
| Register |
High versus middle versus low. |
In the next two sections we will look at how two different pieces exhibit contrast between various sections using the elements of music.