There is a theory behind everything. Theory
is used to help us understand and learn things that might be complicated to
understand at first. In music no different than other “complexed” subjects.
If you understand these basics principals you will have a strong structure to
build up you musicality. I’ll do my best to make music simple to you and I
hope that you understand in a simple way what music is about. Of course
talent is necessary, but musicality comes with hard work and discipline.
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MUSIC
Music is a universal art. A unique form
of communication. Was created by God. Is used by humankind since the beginning.
It’s in us. It’s a way of expression. A way to memorize things and share our
feelings. Some people say that “music makes us feel closer to God” and some
makes is apart from Him. Anyway whatever
is your definition of music.. Music main elements are: Sound, Rhythm, Melody and Harmony.
Sound – It’s everything that makes our ears shake inside. It’s the result of the air in movement started by the vibration of materials (steal, glass, wood, water.. anything). We recognize the sound by: Pitch, Duration, Intensity and Timbre.
Sound – It’s everything that makes our ears shake inside. It’s the result of the air in movement started by the vibration of materials (steal, glass, wood, water.. anything). We recognize the sound by: Pitch, Duration, Intensity and Timbre.
· Pitch – Is divided into three
groups: Low, Mid and High sounds. They
are separated into groups of seven notes: C (do), D (re), E (mi), F (fa), G
(sol), A (la), B (si) “That will bring us back to DO”. That’s why we call
from C to C an octave (an octopus has eight legs that’s why we call it
OCTOpus). Each group of 8 notes repeats from the lowest to the highest part
of any instrument passing through the middle part of the instrument. This is
PITCH.
· Duration – It’s how long you
can hear or play the sound or note, In music the sound duration is indicated
by the type of note shown on the music sheet. We will see those figures
later. Just remember this: Just like us every note has a time to live some of
them will live longer, some will die sooner.
· Intensity – It’s the volume of
the sound. How much strength you hit to make the instrument (object) vibrates
more or less. In music there is a representation for it: pp (Pianissimo) very
soft, p (piano) soft, mp (mezzo piano) normal, f (forte)
strong, ff (fortissimo) very strong and fff
you hit as hard as you can! But do not
break the instrument.
· Timbre – Also known as Tone
Color. It’s what makes each instrument sound different. For example when you
play a C (do) on piano or on a flute, or on a guitar the same note will sound
different, just because you are playing in different instruments. So the
Timbre is the sound that each instrument makes. We also have Timbre in
our voices, my voice is different than yours, correct?
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Rhythm – Also known as MUSICAL CADENCE.
Rhythm is everywhere, all the time, it’s in everything.. from our heart beat to
a clock tic-tac, in a soldiers march up to the solar system. Rhythm exists
without music but music cannot survive without rhythm. To make it clear
just observe any clock or watch tic-tac. On a clock we can hear and see the
second moving constantly and uniformly. Each second the clock moves precisely. Now
try to follow the clock’s beat clapping your hands or snapping your fingers. As
you do this exercise, for a whole minute, C’mon you can do 30 seconds! Ok this
is Rhythm. You are following the
clock’s rhythm.
Now rhythm can be slow, medium or fast. We call
the rhythm speed as “beat”. For example
The clock’s beat is 60 bpm (Beats Per Minute) this
speed is considered slow in music. A normal song can be on 80 to 120 bpm and
fast songs can go up to 200bpm. That is fast! In music we use a tool to measure
the beat called Metronome. MELODY – Is a group of sounds or notes executed in a sequence. When you sing “happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear …. Happy birthday to you!” you are singing a song MELODY.
HARMONY – Is a combination of sounds or notes played together, simultaneously at the same time (beat). This is called a CHORD. When you play on the piano keyboard a combination of three notes like C (do), E (mi) and G (sol) you got a C Major Chord. When you put you fingers on the C position on the guitar, you also got a C Major Chord and when you hit the Kick and a Cymbal on the drums at the same time.. it’s not a C chord but is a percussion chord makes HARMONY. So everything produces harmony when they are performed notes and sounds TOGETHER.
Our next topic will be about Music Reading I wish to make it simple to understand.See you all next chapter.
If you have any question please use my email pohgueirossob@gmail.com or send me a comment on this blogg.
Poh Gueiros
Family Ministry
