Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Music

1. V Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Music Mr. Jackson AP Music Theory

2. V First Found Music Notation • Found in a Cuneiform Tablet about 2000 BC in today’s Iraq. • Ancient Greece – used notation for Pitch AND time. Original stone at Delphi (See Below)

4. V Modern Notation

5. V Aspects of Sound Sound has….

6. V Aspects of Sound Wavelength • Wavelength is the distance between one wave and the next. • Shorter wavelengths produce higher pitches • Frequencyis the rate of vibration measured in “times per second” – called Hertz. • For example: when a violinist plays an A string – the string vibrates back and forth 440 times per second, or 440 Hertz (Hz) • The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch – and the shorter the wavelength

7. V Aspects of Sound Wave height • Wave height refers to the “height” or “intensity” of the wave. • This is the Amplitude of the wave. • In music, we refer to this as the Dynamic Level or Loudness.

8. V Aspects of Sound Waveform • Wave height refers to the shape of the save as it moves, producing its Unique Quality. • Timbre refers to the specific quality of sound. • Is made of more than one frequency (HARMONICS/OVERTONES) • Example: Singing an A vs. Playing an A on the piano (Same pitch – but they sound different.)

9. V Aspects of Sound Envelope • Envelope refers to the sound’s ATACK, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE. • We know this as Articulation in music.

10. V Aspects of Sound Duration • Duration is the LENGTH OF TIME sound and silence lasts.

11. V The Staff and Clefs The Staff • Music is written on a Staff (STAVES for plural). Originally, we only had 4 lines on our staff (In Gregorian Chant time) – but now we have 5 Lines. • At first, Movable C Clefswere used at a time when music was mostly a single line of melody. (MONOPHONIC) • Clefs originally conformed to Vocal Ranges.

12. V The Staff and Clefs Clefs • When music became increasingly more complex, with multiple layers and different lines being played at the same time, such as in POLYPHONIC MUSIC… • One clef fore all female voices bean to be used (Above Middle C) was used: The Treble Clef • The Bass Clef was used for Male Voices • When we use the Treble Clef and Bass Clef together it is called The Grand Staff. Note: The Grand Staff uses the lines and spaces to navigate through the Musical Alphabet (A-G), continuing with Ledger Lines in both directions!

13. V The Staff and Clefs Clefs (Cont..) • Although most instruments use either the Treble of Bass Clef, some instruments regularly read Movable C Clefs or other clefs to avoid excessive ledger lines. • Viola players commonly read AltoClef • Trombone, Bassoon, and Cello players will often play TenorClef . • Percussionists often read from The Neutral Clef Remember that with Movable C Clefs, the center of the clef designates where Middle C is!

14. V The Staff and Clefs Clefs (Cont..)

15. V The Staff and Clefs Octave Designation

16. V The Staff and Clefs Ledger Lines • Ledger Lines extend the staff in either direction.

17. V Pitch & Accidentals Accidentals • Accidentals alter pitch in some form. • Flats lower a pitch by a Half Step. • Sharps raise a pitch by a Half Step. • Double Sharps raise a pitch by a Whole Step. • Double Flats lower a pitch by a Whole Step. • Natural Signs CANCEL out any Sharps or Flats.

18. V Pitch & Accidentals The Piano • The Piano is a great and effective visualization of how Western Music organizes whole and half steps.

19. V Pitch & Accidentals Enharmonics • Enharmonic Equivalents are two notes that sound alike but have two different names.

20. V Music Notation Elements & Rules • Interval- the distance between two notes.