2. Elements of Music
• Dynamics
• Instrumentation
• Meter
• Tempo
• Texture
• Timbre
• Is the music soft or loud?
• What instruments/voices
are used?
• Are groups of 3 or 4
used?
• Is the music fast or slow?
• Is there harmony? How
is it organized?
• Is the music dark or
brilliant; rich or mellow?
3. Dynamic Markings
Pianissimo Very Soft
Piano Soft
Mezzo Piano Moderately Soft
Mezzo Forte Moderately Loud
Forte Loud
Fortissimo Very Loud
Decrescendo Gradually Softer
Crescendo Gradually Louder
6. Tempo
Presto very fast (168–200 bpm)
Allegro fast and bright (120–168 bpm)
Allegretto moderately fast
Moderato moderately (108–120 bpm)
Andante at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
Adagio slow and stately (66–76 bpm)
Grave slow and solemn
Lento very slow (40–60 bpm)
7. Texture
Simple Same rhythm played by all musicians
Complex Different rhythm played by each musician
Monophonic One melodic line without harmonic
accompaniment
Polyphonic Multiple melodic voices which are
independent from one another
Homophonic multiple voices in which the melody and other
voices form a background of harmonic
accompaniment. All parts have very similar
rhythm.
Heterophonic two or more voices simultaneously
performing variations of the same melody
8. Tempo
Presto very fast (168–200 bpm)
Allegro fast and bright (120–168 bpm)
Allegretto moderately fast
Moderato moderately (108–120 bpm)
Andante at a walking pace (76–108 bpm)
Adagio slow and stately (66–76 bpm)
Grave slow and solemn
Lento very slow (40–60 bpm)