Sound waves are defined by their amplitude and frequency .

When we listen to music we usually don't consider each individual element that contributes to the whole sound. However, music is made up of a variety of elements that combine to produce the complex sounds that we hear. Some of the elements are related to our sense of rhythm, others to frequency or pitch and still others to the structure of the music. Musicians, composers and producers understand how these elements can be combined for their maximum effect. In this unit the elements will be discussed individually and then combined in a variety of ways. Since vibration is the source of all sound one should have at least a basic understanding of how music and sound are related. Vibrations travel through air (or other mediums such as liquids, solids, and some gases) in the form of waves to produce a sound. The sound waves are described by both their amplitude, the height of the wave, and their frequency, how often the wave goes through a full cycle. As a result the amplitude determines the volume of a sound and the frequency determines the pitch of the sound. The brain takes in all of the information available about a sound and processes it into some kind of meaning for each of us. The brain compares this sound information to other pieces of information that have already been stored and makes a judgment beyond just describing the individual elements of music. This is part of how we develop our own preferences for certain styles and pieces of music

Unit Objectives
After you have completed this unit, you will be able to: 1. Identify the elements of music notation. 2. Explain how the elements of music are used to create music through melody, harmony and form. 3. Identify the elements of musical expression. 4. Be a more critical listener by evaluating music.

Unit Assignments
In this unit you will complete the following graded assignments: Whiteboard Assignment: Grand Staff 50 points Music Notation Quiz 50 points Creating Melody Quiz 40 points Discussion: Expressions and Changes 20 points Descriptive Listening Quiz 40 points Compare & Contrast Listening Quiz 20 points Expression and Listening Quiz 26 points Basic Elements Unit Exam 102 points Please download the unit assignment checklist to track your completion of all major assignments throughout the unit.

What is music? Scientifically speaking, music is the succession of sound waves. This is a very broad answer though, because sound waves create everything from the chirping of birds to the wailing siren of a fire truck. Are those considered music? Are only humans capable of producing music? John Cage, the American composer, believed that music can be found everywhere including in the background sounds of everyday life. Do you agree with this? Is the ticking of a clock considered music, or is music something that has to be prepared and performed in front of an audience? In your opinion, what is music? What elements are necessary to make music?

Music Notation: Introduction

Music has been part of the human experience for thousands of years and for most of that time there was no way to communicate musical ideas from one place to another. Music had to be learned by rote from the people who already knew how to play or sing it. A system for writing music has only been a part of music since the late ninth century (800's). As you study the elements of music, the symbols and notation that are used to communicate these elements will be presented.

Section Objectives
After you have completed this section, you will be able to: 1. Identify and label music notation symbols relating to rhythm, meter, and pitch. 2. Define terms describing music notation.

Section Warm-Up
The earliest systems of notating music were used by the Greeks starting in the late 9th century. Over time the system was modified and by the 17th century had developed into the modern music notation we use today. What do you think brought about the need or desire to notate music? What historical events may have impacted the modifications that were made? Write your thoughts in your journal.

Rhythm
Rhythm is one of the basic elements of music, referring to the organization of time. People are very rhythmic. Many aspects of human life exhibit rhythmic organization. We walk, talk, eat, and sleep according to our own rhythmic patterns. Rhythm is found in the beating of a heart, the ticking of a clock, the turn-signals in a car.

Most music organizes time through regularly occurring pulses or beats that are then arranged into groups of either two or three. When written out, these beats are referred to as notes.

Whole Note

Half Note

Quarter Note

Eighth Note

Sixteenth Note

4 beats

2 beats

1 beat

1/2 beat

1/4 beat

As the table explains, a whole note will sustain a sound for the duration of four beats; a half note will sustain a sound for two beats. Two half notes are equal in value to one whole note. When notes are combined they form rhythm patterns.

Rhythm Mathematics
How many beats are in the following equations? Click on the equal sign to display the answer. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1+4=5 2 + 2 + 1/2 = 4 4 + 1 + 1/4 = 5 1 + 1 + 1 + 1/2 = 3

Rests
In music, silence is just as important as sound. To indicate silence we use rests. Each type of note has a rest that corresponds in value. Note Rest Value 4 beats

2 beats

1 beat

beat

beat

Meter
Pulses or beats can be organized in a variety of ways. Meter refers to the distance between strong pulses or beats. Probably the most common meter in music is a four beat pattern. Count out loud 1-23-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 and say the number 1 a little louder than 2, 3 and 4. This gives you the feel of a four beat meter. Count out loud 1-2, 1-2, 1-2 and say the number 1 a little louder. Now you have a sense of a two beat meter. Marches are generally written using a two beat pattern. This allows the marchers to feel each pace in time. Count out loud "1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3" and say the number 1 a little louder than 2 and 3. This gives you the sense of a three beat meter. Waltzes are usually written using a three beat meter pattern. Of course there are many other kinds of meters. The strong pulse can be repeated every 5, 6, 7, or any other number of beats. The beat can be subdivided into smaller units. Meter is usually expressed at the beginning of a line of music as a time meter signature or time signature. Time signatures contain two numbers, one over the other. The top number indicates how many beats there are between strong beats. The bottom number will indicate the type of note that will receive one beat. Study these examples of time or meter signatures. 4 beats per measure Quarter note = 1 beat

3 beats per measure Quarter note = 1 beat

2 beats per measure Quarter note = 1 beat 6 beats per measure Eighth note = 1 beat When looking at a piece of music you will first see the time signature. The music is divided into measures, or groups of beats, based on the top number of the time signature. For example, music with a 4/4 time signature will have 4 beats in each measure. The measures are then divided by a vertical line, known as a bar line.

The Staff
Early in the history of music notation, music was written on an eleven line staff. With so many lines and spaces it was difficult to determine which line or space contained a note. Music today is written using a five line, four space staff. However, five lines and four spaces do not tell you which five lines and four spaces are being used.

That is the job of the musical clef. Each clef identifies a specific line which makes it possible to identify all of the other lines and spaces. Our eyes are able to read music and determine the position of the notes on the lines or in the spaces between the lines when there are only five lines.

Notes on the Treble Clef

Music is notated not only to show rhythm but also to show pitch. The notes in music are named for the first seven letters of the alphabet, beginning with A. After G comes A again, and the notes continue to repeat in that pattern. A B C D E F G A B C D E F G A ... Notes are placed on specific lines or spaces on the staff that correspond to individual pitches. The notes on the treble clef range from E on the bottom line to F on the top line. The line notes on the treble clef are easy to remember with the phrase "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge".

The treble clef is also known as the G clef because the treble clef loops around the G line. The space notes on the treble clef range from F on the bottom space to E on the top space. The note names of these space notes spell the word FACE.

Name the notes in the following example. Click here to reveal the answers. F, B, E, F, C, G, A, D

Notes on the Bass Clef

The bass clef is known as the F clef because the F line is found between the two dots on the clef. The bottom line on the bass clef is a G and the top line is an A.

The space notes on the bass clef range from A on the bottom space to G on the top space. The space notes on the bass clef can be remembered with the phrase "All Cows Eat Grass".

Name the notes in the following example. Click here to reveal the answers. F, A, E, B, A, G, C, G

Altered Pitches: Sharps

So far we have considered the notes in the Treble and Bass Staffs that would be found on the white keys of a piano. However, often in music it is necessary to be able to notate the notes found on the black keys of a piano. There are three basic symbols used to indicate these notes, the sharp sign, flat sign, and the natural sign. A Sharp (#) raises a note one half step. This means that the sharped note is found one key to the right of the original note on the piano. Look at the example below. On the staff there is a sharp sign written in front of the C. On the piano, this note would be played as the black key to the right of C.

Listen to this example of a C being played, followed by a C# (sharp). The C# sounds higher than the C.

Altered Pitches: Flats and Naturals

A flat ( ) lowers a note one half step. This means that the flatted note is found one key to the left of the original note on the piano. Look at the example below. On the staff there is a flat sign written in front of the E. On the piano, this note would be played as the black key to the left of E.

Listen to this example of an E being played, followed by an E (flat). The E sounds lower than the E. The natural ( pitch. ) symbol is used to cancel a sharp or flat that was previously placed on that particular

Music Notation Quiz 50 points

Congratulations on completing this section! In this section you learned about: Rhythm Meter Treble Clef and Bass Clef The Grand Staff Altered Pitches Now its time to take the section quiz. Please make sure to check your understanding of the topics above before proceeding to take the quiz. After you have completed the quiz, continue with the unit.