MUSIC

DEFINITION
Music is the tones or sounds
employed, occurring in single line
(melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and
sounded or to be sounded by one or
more voices or instruments, or both.
HISTORY
1. Prehistoric and Ancient Music (Before 500 AD): - Vocalizations, primitive instruments, and
percussion used for rituals and ceremonies. - Early examples include bone flutes, drums, and
string instruments like lyres.
2. Medieval Music (500-1400 AD): - Gregorian Chant and sacred music dominate. -
Development of musical notation. - Rise of secular music, including troubadours and
minstrels
3. Renaissance Music (1400-1600): - Polyphony becomes more prominent. - Invention of the
printing press aids in the distribution of sheet music. - Composers like Josquin des Prez and
Palestrina make significant contributions
4. Baroque Music (1600-1750): - Ornate and expressive music, characterized by contrast and
drama. - Rise of opera and the concerto. - Prominent composers include Bach, Handel, and
Vivaldi
5. Classical Music (1750-1820): - Clarity, balance, and form become essential. - Development
of the symphony and sonata. - Key figures include Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.
HISTORY
6. Romantic Music (1820-1910): - Emphasis on emotion, individual expression, and
nationalism. - Growth of the orchestra and expansion of musical forms. - Notable composers
include Beethoven (transitional), Chopin, and Wagner
7. 20th Century Music (1900-2000): - Diverse styles emerge, including jazz, blues, and
electronic music. - Break from traditional tonality and experimentation with atonality. -
Influential genres like rock, pop, and hip-hop develop. - Notable figures include Stravinsky,
Ellington, and The Beatles. 8. Contemporary Music (2000-Present): - Continued diversity with
the rise of new genres and subgenres. - Globalization and digital technology impact music
production and distribution. - Popularity of streaming services and online platforms
revolutionize the industry
9. Electronic and Digital Age (20th Century-Present): - Pioneering electronic music and the
advent of synthesizers. - Rise of electronic dance music (EDM) and techno. - Integration of
digital technology in music production and composition.opment of the symphony and sonata.
- Key figures include Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.
GENRES
1. Classical - Classical music is a broad phrase that refers to a rich legacy of Western art music that dates back to the
Middle Ages and continues to this day. It comprises symphonies, operas, chamber music, and solo compositions with
complex structures, formal arrangements, and orchestral or instrumental groups.
2. Rock - Rock music emerged in the mid-twentieth century and contains several subgenres. Rock music is
distinguished by a strong beat, electric guitars, and vocals, and it frequently focuses on songwriting and
performance. Subgenres include classic rock, punk rock, alternative rock, and others.
3. Pop - Pop music, which stands for "popular," is noted for its catchy melodies, understandable lyrics, and
widespread popularity. Pop songs frequently have straightforward and repetitive structures, making them easy to
sing along to. Pop music can combine elements from a variety of genres and evolves to reflect current trends.
4. Hip-Hop/Rap - Hip-hop and rap developed in the Bronx in the 1970s and have since spread worldwide. Hip-hop,
known for its rhythmic speech or vocal delivery over a beat, frequently discusses social issues and personal
experiences. It combines DJing, MCing (rapping), breakdancing, and graffiti art.
5. Electronic/Dance - Electronic music utilizes electronic devices and technology to produce sound. This genre
encompasses a variety of styles, including as techno, house, dubstep, and trance. Electronic music, which frequently
incorporates synthesizers, drum machines, and computer-generated sounds, is popular in club and dance settings.
ELEMENTS
• Melody: A sequence of notes that are perceived as a single entity; it's often considered the "tune" of the piece.
• Harmony: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions.
Harmony supports the melody and gives music its richness and texture.
• Rhythm: The pattern of sounds and silences in time, which includes the beat, tempo, and meter of the piece.
Rhythm is what makes music move and flow.
• Tempo: typically measured in beats per minute (BPM) and can greatly affect the mood and character of a piece.
• Dynamics: The variations in loudness between notes in a musical composition which can contribute to the
emotional expression of music.
• Timbre (Tone Color): The quality of a musical note, sound, or tone that distinguishes different types of sound
production, such as voices and musical instruments. Timbre is what allows the same note to sound different when
played on a violin, a piano, or sung by a human voice.
• Texture: The way in which the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic materials are combined in a composition
determining the overall quality of the sound in a piece.
• Form: The structure of a musical composition or performance. Form involves the arrangement of musical ideas,
based on repetition, contrast, and variation; the structure of a piece of music.