Exploring the areas of study through the musical elements
Overview
Focus on each of the musical elements in detail, working on developing identification skills of these elements when appraising pieces of music.
Example Key Words
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| Melody | The sequence of musical notes arranged to form the main tune of the piece |
| Articulation | How a note is directed to be played e.g. staccato (detached) or legato (smooth) |
| Dynamics | The volume of the piece e.g. piano (quiet) or forte (loud) |
| Tempo | The speed of the music e.g. Allegro (fast) or Lento (slow) |
| Structure | The order of the sections in a piece of music e.g. Binary (AB) or Ternary (ABA) |
| Harmony/Tonality | Harmony – How musical notes played at the same time work together e.g. dissonant (clashing) Tonality – The organisation of musical notes around a central note or scale. The key of the piece e.g. C major |
| Instrumentation | The instruments which are used in a piece of music and their role |
| Rhythm | The arrangement of different note lengths |
| Texture | How different musical parts in a piece are layered and interact with each other |
Western Classical Tradition
Refers to music written around 1650-1910 such as baroque, classical and romantic music
Ensemble
A group of musicians who perform together
Film Music
Music to accompany visuals on screen. Often used to set a mood or relate to a character or situation
Pupular Music
A genre of music that originated in the UK and USA that covers a wide range of styles