Chapter 1 - Music Fundamentals

Properties that are fundamental to the elements of sound and music

• Pitch (Frequency) - Wavelength

• Dynamic (Amplitude) - Wave height

• Timbre (Tone color) - Waveform

• Articulation - Envelope

• Duration

Wavelength

Wave height

Waveform

Envelope

The distance between one wave and the next. It’s related to the frequency and the pitch.

The rate of vibration measured in times per second called Hertz.

the higher the pitch and the shorter the wavelength.

The size of each individual wave

The length of the wave. It determines the loudness of the sound.

The shape and form of the sound wave as it moves in distance and frequency

Unique qualities of sound produces by the shape of the waveform

Composed of a sounds attack, sustain, and release

The manner in which we begin the note, sustain it, and end the note

The length of time sound and silence last

Where most music is written. A space of five lines and four spaces.

• Lines and spaces are numbered from bottom to top.

What determines the names of the lines and spaces used

• Soprano

• Mezzo soprano

• Alto

• Tenor

• Baritone

Sign used for all of the previously mentioned vocal ranges

The clef that locates middle C and moves around from line to line to designate range

When the C clef is placed on the third line of the staff

When the C clef is placed on the fourth line of the staff

When the G clef is placed on the second line of the staff

When the F clef is placed on the fourth line of the staff

When multiple staves are connected together by bar lines, brackets, or a brace

Used for rhythm only or for pitchless or untuned instruments such as triangle, cymbals, or tambourine

Small lines that extend the staff while still keeping the five lines and four spaces intact

The smallest space or distance between notes

Raises the pitch one half step above its natural pitch

Lowers the pitch one half step below its natural pitch

When notes sound the same but are named differently

The musical symbol that cancels out a flat or a sharp

Musical symbol used to raise a pitch by two half steps

Musical symbol that lowers the pitch by two half steps

• Head

• Stem

• Flag

• Beam

Body of the note

Part of a note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than the whole note

Part of the note that is common to all note types shorter in duration than a quarter note

Bar line

Measure

Double bar line

Final bar line

The vertical line that divides the staff into measures

The unit of space between the bar lines

Two lines that signal the end of a section of music

Indicates the end of the piece or composition