Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Music

Mr. JacksonMusic Theory

Aspects of SoundSound has….

Aspects of SoundWavelength

Wavelength is the distance between one wave and the

next.

Shorter wavelengths produce higher pitches

Frequency is 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

Aspects of SoundWave 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.

Aspects of SoundWaveform

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.)

Aspects of SoundEnvelope

Envelope refers to the sound’s ATACK, SUSTAIN, and

RELEASE.

We know this as Articulation in music.

Aspects of SoundDuration

Duration is the LENGTH OF TIME sound and silence lasts.

The Staff and ClefsThe 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 Clefs were used at a time when music

was mostly a single line of melody. (MONOPHONIC)

Clefs originally conformed to Vocal Ranges.

The Staff and ClefsClefs

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!

The Staff and ClefsClefs (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!

The Staff and ClefsClefs (Cont..)

The Staff and ClefsOctave Designation

The Staff and ClefsLedger Lines

Ledger Lines extend the staff in either direction.

Pitch & AccidentalsAccidentals

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.

Pitch & AccidentalsThe Piano

The Piano is a great and effective visualization of

how Western Music organizes whole and half

steps.

Pitch & AccidentalsEnharmonics

Enharmonic Equivalents are two notes that sound

alike but have two different names.

Music NotationElements & Rules

Interval- the distance between two notes.