Texture
It can be related to how many instruments are playing at a given time and it can be thick or dense (lots of instruments); light or sparse (fewer instruments). But it is also related to other elements of music, such… Read More »Texture
General
Dynamics
Dynamics refers to how loud or soft a musician needs to play a particular musical passage. Being one the expressive elements of music, using dynamics in a piece of music may help sustain the interest, avoid boredom by adding variety… Read More »Dynamics
Intervals
In music, an interval is the relative distance between two notes that can be measured in tones or steps and, in the equal temperament system that uses twelve notes, the smallest measurable unit is a half-step or a half-tone. The… Read More »Intervals
Using the Musical Elements for Music Expression
Getting to know the musical elements Conveying emotions and experiencing emotions largely depends on social and cultural aspects, and that said, you should be aware of the emotional qualities you perceive when you listen to certain sounds, chords, rhythms, melodies,… Read More »Using the Musical Elements for Music Expression
The Harmonic Series
The harmonic series is probably the most fundamental aspect upon which music can be understood. As we will see, it is the basis for an effective chord voicing, to understand chord tones and tensions, scale construction and also rhythm. Briefly,… Read More »The Harmonic Series
Music as Language
We make sounds to speak and when used properly in a coherent and intelligible way we are using a form of language. Music, as an art form and in its own unique way, also uses sounds and organizing them… Read More »Music as Language
Repetition and its Importance in Music
Generally speaking, and in the world of art, repetition reminds and accentuates norms and values, repeating sensations and emotions such as fear, insecurity, anguish, love, happiness, etc., experiences that are lived repeatedly. Repetition has in its essence memories that may… Read More »Repetition and its Importance in Music
Ostinatos
An ostinato refers to a pattern or motif that keeps repeating throughout a music passage. It is not solely associated to rhythm executed on percussive instruments but also to rhythm associated to melodic and harmonic instruments. An ostinato can be… Read More »Ostinatos
Drone
It is a harmonic or monophonic effect used for accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most or all of a piece. The main differences between a drone and a pedal point is that the first is… Read More »Drone
Cantus Firmus
Like a plainchant from liturgical music, a cantus firmus is a pre-existing melody that forms the basis for a polyphonic composition (one with several independent voices or parts), and it was used as a compositional tool. During the 11th and… Read More »Cantus Firmus
“Motherese” and the Origins of Music
After the appearance of the collection of articles “The Origins of Music” (Wallin, Merker, Brown, 2000) the subject was a debated topic of human evolutionary history. There are currently many hypotheses (not necessarily conflicting) about the origins of music. Some… Read More »“Motherese” and the Origins of Music
Bel Canto
The term Bel Canto refers to the Italian-originated vocal style that prevailed throughout most of Europe during the 18th century and early 19th centuries. This vocal style and technique was not restricted to beauty and evenness of tone, legato phrasing,… Read More »Bel Canto
Relating Extra-Musical Cues to Music Theory Concepts
Although not being the sole element present in a musical composition, pitch may be associated with melody, scales and chords. The association of pitch to a natural and distinctive human quality is the voice and thus it is with no… Read More »Relating Extra-Musical Cues to Music Theory Concepts
Is Music Technology Lowering the Quality Bar for Modern Composers?
First off, music technology provides us with the tools to do the job. However, it is also true that solely relying on it produces less than optimal results, musically speaking. The market is flooded with composers for media and newcomers… Read More »Is Music Technology Lowering the Quality Bar for Modern Composers?
Expressing Emotions Through Music
Have you ever thought about how you can explore the emotional character and characteristics of expressivity through music? All the implications aroused while trying to answer this question is the reason why I compose the way I do. I… Read More »Expressing Emotions Through Music
How Music Theory is (not) Killing Your Creativity
Do you think you are spending more time figuring out what would mechanically fit into a song rather than just let it flow? Has anyone had to deal with this kind of problem at some point? This has to be… Read More »How Music Theory is (not) Killing Your Creativity
Impressionism in Music
It was a movement that took place during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries where the music composed was more focused on suggesting and conveying an atmosphere, moods and emotions by means of harmonic and melodic contrasts at… Read More »Impressionism in Music
Circle of Fifths
It is a geometrical representation of the relationships among the twelve tones of the chromatic system – all the notes in the equal temperament; their corresponding key signatures and associated major and minor keys. If you start in C and… Read More »Circle of Fifths