1. Elements of Music
1. Melody – a succession of tones
arranged in such a way to give musical
sense.
2. Rhythm – is the movement or
procedure with uniform recurrence of
a beat, accent or the like.
3. Harmony – the sounding of a series or
group of tones at the same time or
simultaneously.
4. Timbre – The character of the tone
produced by an instrument

2. The six classes of vocal register
 Soprano – high register female voice
 Mezzo-soprano – medium register
female voice
 Alto or contralto- low register female
 Tenor – high register male voice
 Baritone – medium register male voice
 Base – low register male voice

3. Interpretation
 TEMPO – the speed of the composition
Terms commonly used to indicate
tempo:
Largo – very slow
Adagio – slow
Andante – walking pace
Andantino – a little faster than andante
Allegreto – moderately fast
Allegro – fast
Presto – very fast
Accelerando – gradually becoming faster
Ritardando – gradually becoming slower

4.  DYNAMICS – refer to the loudness or softness of music.
Dynamic marks:
pp – pianissimo – very soft
p – piano – soft
mp – mezzo piano – medium soft
mf – mezzo forte - medium loud
f – forte – loud
ff – fortissimo – very loud
- crescendo – gradually becoming louder
- decrescendo – gradually becoming softer
dim. – diminuendo – gradually becoming softer

5.  Mood Marks
Animato – with spirit
Dolce – Sweetly
Sostenuto – sustained
Maestoso – majestically
Vivace - vivaciously

6.  Phrasing – a series of tones which more
or less expresses a musical idea and
should be sung in one breath. Breathing
in singing is called phrasing.
 Style – refers to the composer’s or
singer’s way of doing his part. This is
the result of his temperament, outlook
in life, and training.

7. Definition of Terms
• Performance - is the physical expression of music.
Often, a musical work is performed once its structure
and instrumentation are satisfactory to its creators;
however, as it gets performed, it can evolve and
change.
 Aural tradition - Many types of music, such as
traditional blues and folk music were originally
preserved in the memory of performers, and the
songs were handed down orally, or aurally (by ear).
When the composer of music is no longer known, this
music is often classified as "traditional".
 Ornamentation
 The detail included explicitly in the music notation
varies between genres and historical periods.

8.  Production
Music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging
from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as
an entertainment product for the marketplace. Amateur
musicians compose and perform music for their own pleasure,
and they do not derive their income from music. Professional
musicians are employed by a range of institutions and
organizations, including armed forces, churches and synagogues,
symphony orchestras, broadcasting or film production
companies, and music schools. Professional musicians sometimes
work as freelancers, seeking contracts and engagements in a
variety of settings.

9.  Composition
"Composition" is often classed as the creation and recording of
music via a medium by which others can interpret it (i.e. paper or
sound). Many cultures use at least part of the concept of
preconceiving musical material, or composition, as held in
western classical music.
 Notation
Notation is the written expression of music notes and rhythms
on paper using symbols. When music is written down, the pitches
and rhythm of the music is notated, along with instructions on
how to perform the music.