Auditory Arts

• Elements of music


  • Rhythm
  • Dynamics
  • Melody
  • Harmony
  • Timbre
• Rhythm


  Element of music that situates it in time, pulse of the music, associated with beat, meter, and tempo
• Classical terms for tempo variations

  • Largo - slowly and broadly
  • Andante - walking pace
  • Moderato - at moderate speed
  • Allegro - fast
  • Vivace - lively
  • Accelerando - gradually speeding up
  • Rallentando - gradually slowing down
  • Allargando - getting slower, broadening
  • Rubato - rhythm played freely for expressive effect
• Dynamics


  Refers to the loudness or quietness of music
• Classical terms for dynamics levels

  • Crescendo - increase in loudness
  • Decrescendo - decrease in loudness
• Melody


  Linear presentation of pitch, read in succession from left to right, combination of pitch and rhythm, musically satisfying sequences of notes
• Harmony


  Vertical combination of pitches to form chords, composite product of individual musical voices or instruments, described in terms of dissonance and consonance
• Timbre


  Quality that distinguishes a voice or instrument, likened to the color of music
• Timbre


  A quality of a voice or instrument that distinguishes it from others, based on its unique tone
• Timbre in different instruments

  • Chordophones (string instruments)
  • Aerophones (wind instruments)
  • Membranophones (drums)
  • Idiophones
  • Electrophones
• Chordophones

  • A vibrating string, whether plucked, bowed, or struck, makes the sound
• Aerophones


  • A column of air within the instrument makes the sound
• Membranophones


  • A membrane (skin) stretched over a resonator or frame makes the sound
• Idiophones


  • The entire instrument vibrates to make the sound
• Electrophones


  • The instrument makes sound through a loudspeaker
• Voice types


  • Soprano
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Contralto
  • Tenor
  • Baritone
  • Bass
• Monophonic texture


  • Includes only a single melody line
• Polyphonic texture


  • Consists of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody
• Homophonic texture


  • Multiple different notes playing, all based around the same melody
• Heterophonic texture


  • Consists of two or more parts elaborating upon the same melody
• Principles of good design

  • Balance
  • Contrast
  • Emphasis
  • Movement
  • Proportion
  • Repetition
  • Simplicity
  • Space
  • Unity
• Balance


  The concept of visual equilibrium, relating to our physical sense of balance
• Balance


  Concept of visual equilibrium, relates to physical sense of balance, well-balanced composition feels comfortable to look at, each visual component has visual weight
• Kinds of Balance


  • Asymmetrical Balance
  • Symmetrical balance
  • Bilateral symmetry
  • Radial Balance
• Asymmetrical Balance


  Involves placement of objects in a way that allows objects of varying visual weight to balance one another around a central point, informal and less organized than symmetry, provides variety in composition, more subjective than symmetry and radial symmetry
• Symmetrical balance


  Equal weight on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum, two halves mirror each other, offers stable visual sense
• Bilateral symmetry


  Elements arranged equally on either side of a central axis
• Radial Balance


  Elements arranged equally around a central point, symmetry in several directions, prevalent in circular designs and shapes like squares, hexagons, etc., observed in nature in flowers and in human design like car wheels, domes, etc.
• Rhythm


  Regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement, achieved through careful placement of repeated components
• Emphasis


  Creates focal point in design composition, brings attention to what is important
• Contrast


  Difference between elements or subjects within a work of art or composition
• Movement


  Visual flow of design, intended path for viewer's eye to follow, guided by emphasized areas or elements like lines, edges, shape, and color
• Harmony


  All parts of visual image relate to and complement each other
• Repetition


  Helps create patterns, creates cohesiveness when design elements are repeated
• Unity


  How well elements of design work together, clear relationship among visual elements in a design
• Proportion


  Size of an object in relation to another object