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Music Fundamentals

Music Fundamentals. Pitch. Frequency = number of times a vibrational pattern repeats itself per unit of time Measured in cycles per second or “Hertz” (abbreviated Hz) [c. 20 – c. 20,000 Hz] The faster the repetition of the pattern, the “higher” the frequency/pitch Western standard of “A-440”

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Music Fundamentals

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  1. Music Fundamentals

  2. Pitch • Frequency = number of times a vibrational pattern repeats itself per unit of time • Measured in cycles per second or “Hertz” (abbreviated Hz) [c. 20 – c. 20,000 Hz] • The faster the repetition of the pattern, the “higher” the frequency/pitch • Western standard of “A-440” • Overtones/partials = 2:1, 3:2, 3:4, 5:4, 6:5 etc.

  3. Volume • Amplitude = amount of displacement of air molecules produced by vibrating string, air column or percussive surface • Measured in “decibels” (dB = ratio) • The greater the displacement, the “higher/louder” the amplitude/displacment

  4. Duration • Conceptualized by patterns of meter and rhythm • Meter = recurring patterns of strong and weak beats/pulses • “symmetrical” = duple / triple / compound • “non-symmetrical” • Rhythm = arrangements of durations within a meter

  5. Timbre • Sounds of the same pitch, amplitude, and duration but produced by different media can be distinguished on the basis of timbre or “tone color” • Different sounding media cause different pitches in the harmonic series (“overtones”) to be suppressed or amplified.

  6. Scale • Organization of pitches within an octave (1:2 ratio of pitches) • Pentatonic • Diatonic • Chromatic • Microtonal • Scales generate both melodies (pitches considered diachronically) and harmonies (pitches considered synchronically)

  7. Texture • Monophonic = all sounding media produce the same sequence of pitches with the same durations • Heterophonic = different sounding media produce simultaneous variations of the sequence of pitches and durations • Polyphonic = different sounding media produce different sequences of pitches and durations exhibiting common interest • Homophonic/harmonic = different sounding media produce different sequences of pitches and durations exhibiting unequal interest (melody/accompaniment)

  8. Form • Structural intelligibility of a particular musical event unfolding over time • Exact repetition (same pitch/volume/duration/timbre) • Variation (vary one or more of pitch/volume/duration/timbre) • Development (elaborate one or more of pitch/volume/duration/timbre) • Contrast (introduce new material)

  9. “Free” forms: no regular patterns of repetition and contrast (e.g., fantasia, rhapsody) • “Fixed” forms: regular patterns of repetition and contrast • Binary (AB: AAB/AABB/AA’BB’, etc.) • Ternary (ABA: ABA’/ABACA/ABACABA, etc.) • Mixed, e.g., sonata-allegro: Exposition / Development / Recapitulation / Coda

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