CONCEPTS OF MUSIC
from Music for Dancers by Kerri Lynn
Nichols
©2017 Edition Kerri Lynn Nichols. Used
with permission.
RHYTHM:
Patterns of movement in space and time
Pulse: steady beat, sound/movement are equidistant, no change
Grouping (Meter): grouping pulses by twos (strong-light), threes (strong-light-light) or combinations
Pattern (Rhythmic): note values, rests, sound/movement changes or is irregular
MELODY: A
series of related pitches, usually the lead part.
Pitch: low, middle, high
Scale: ladder of notes, high to low or low to high; a set of notes used to create a melody
Interval: the space (distance) between to pitches: steps or jumps
FORM: The
order of the musical form; the overall shape of the piece (i.e. ABCAA)
Phrase: a musical sentence; questions/answer
Repeat: same; rounds, canons, rondo form, echoes (AA)
Contrast: changes, variations (AB)
EXPRESSION:
Techniques used to convey how the music is played or to create a feeling or
reaction to the music.
Pace (Tempo): slow, medium, fast
Dynamics: loud, soft, crescendo, decrescendo
Articulate: accents, staccato, legato, fermata, slur
Interpret: style, period, culture, aesthetic
TIMBRE:
Various sound qualities of voices and instruments.
Body: snap, clap, pat, stomp
Voice: sing, speak, whisper, call
Percussion: metals, woods, skins, shakers, scrapers
Instruments: strings, winds, brass
TEXTURE: The
layers of the music; simultaneous parts.
Combinations: solo, choral, unison, duet, tutti, ensemble
Harmony: different pitches sounded at the same time; tension/resolution, paraphony, polyphony, intervals
Accompaniment: a part of the music that goes with or underlies the melody or main part; a Capella, instrumental, sound effects
CONCEPTS OF DANCE
from Creative Dance for All Ages by
Anne Green Gilbert
©1995 Anne Green Gilbert. Used with
permission.
SPACE Place, size, direction, pathway,
focus
TIME Pulse, pattern, grouping
(meter), breath rhythm, timed/untimed
FORCE Energy, weight, flow
BODY Parts, shapes, relationships,
balance