Music Theory 1

References :
An Introduction to Music Theory – Julie Ann Hazel Go

Tonal Harmony
S. Kotska, D. Payne

What is music?

Define as an art form – sound is the medium

4 qualities of Tone

1. Pitch- the highness and the lowness of tone

2. Intensity – it is the strength of the sound
3. Duration – pertain to the length of time – from the attack to decay
4. Timbre – quality or the character – distinct tone/color
- Distinctive quality
- The sound quality in each instruments used.
Variety – Physical Structure/ sounding body
Overtone series – research work

Parameters of Music
Elements of Music

1. Melody – the sucession of pitch – the horizontal relationship of tones, organization of

succession of pitches horizontally.
2. Rhythm – organization of all the elements of time in music. – Time is the canvass of
music – further measure
3. Harmony – vertical relation of tones
4. Color – style of expression – adding nuances
5. Texture – combination of all levels
a. Types of Texture
i. Monophonic – Gregorian chant – unison
ii. Polyponic – combination of two or more melodies
iii. Homophonic – one melody line and an accompaniment
iv. Isorhythmic style – chordal style
v. Heterophonic – combination of different kinds of instrumentss
6. Form – determines the structure of the composition – parameter that have distinction –
accidental sounds – FORM – (AB, ABC)

Element of Standard Notation

Staff – 5 lines with four spaces

Clef symbols – placed at the beginning of the staff

1. G Clef
2. F Clef
3. C Clef – Alto Clef
4. Tenor Clef

Key Signatures – Group of sharp and flats arranged in specific order to the individual key.

Time Signatures –