| Are you frustrated when you try to explain your | | | | multiple notes are played simultaneously. This is |
| taste in music? Fortunately, one of the benefits of | | | | sometimes called the "horizontal" part of music. The |
| learning a musical instrument is a better understanding | | | | combined sound adds depth to the melody. "Chords" |
| of your own musical taste. Learn to play an | | | | consist of three or more notes played simultaneously, |
| instrument, and soon you will be able to discuss what | | | | with each chord named for notes. |
| works or doesn't work for you, in music. | | | | §Rhythm: Most Western music relies on an even |
| Learn to Describe What You Like through Musical | | | | beat beneath the music. Each note takes up one of |
| Education | | | | these beats or a portion of it. Other cultures such as |
| It may come as a surprise, but the European tradition | | | | Indian and African use more complex rhythm |
| is rife with arguments not only about whether a song | | | | systems. "Irrational rhythms" are irregular beat |
| is good or bad, but also whether a song is music at | | | | systems created mathematically. |
| all. John Cage, a composer famous for taking the | | | | §Articulation: Just as important as the notes |
| position that any sound could be music, sometimes | | | | that are played is the way you play them. Music |
| left portions of his compositions to chance and would | | | | composed and written on paper includes |
| use non-standard instruments. Often, arguments | | | | "articulations" written with a series of marks. A |
| about music are really about whether you are able to | | | | common example is the "tie," a curved line connecting |
| express your opinion. | | | | two notes of the same pitch to show that two |
| Let's take a look at the music fundamentals. When | | | | notes should be played as one. Articulation also |
| you understand the concepts of pitch, melody, | | | | includes the amount of silence between the notes. |
| harmony, rhythm, and articulation, you will be well on | | | | By reading this article, you have taken the first step |
| your way to expressing your opinions about music. | | | | toward developing your musical vocabulary. Nowhere |
| §Pitch: Simply put, when you say a sound is high | | | | have we told you what to like or dislike; that's up to |
| or low, you are describing the pitch. Each note in | | | | you. |
| music is a pitch defined. | | | | Make it a priority to learn to play a musical |
| §Melody: You could think of a melody something | | | | instrument. As a result, you will have a better |
| you hum. A melody is a series of notes played in | | | | appreciation of music in all its forms. You will |
| succession. This is sometimes called the "horizontal" | | | | understand your own musical tastes, and even be |
| part of music, in reference to written notes on a | | | | able to express your opinions about music with |
| scale. | | | | confidence. |
| §Harmony: Harmony is what happens when | | | | |