There are several basic elements of music which every musician should be aware of. These include
1. Melody: Melody is one of the most important parts of a song. It consists of a series of notes that are played together to form a distinguishable tune. Melodies can be created using a variety of instruments and can be composed in different styles.
2. Harmony: Harmony is the simultaneous sounding of two or more notes. When played together, these notes create a pleasing sound that enhances the melody. Harmony is often created using chords, which are groups of notes played together.
3. Rhythm: Rhythm is the underlying pulse of a piece of music. It is created by the regular repetition of beats and can be altered by changing the tempo or speed of the music. Rhythm can be felt in the body and can be expressed through movement.
4. Texture: The texture of a piece of music refers to the overall sound quality of the music. It is determined by the combination of different instruments and vocal parts. Texture can be described as thick or thin, dense or sparse, and so on.
5. Dynamics: Dynamics are the changes in volume in a piece of music. They can be used to create a sense of drama and excitement or to emphasize certain parts of the music. Dynamics can be expressed using a variety of symbols, such as the crescendo (cresc.) and the decrescendo (decresc.).
6. Tempo: Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece of music is played. It is measured in beats per minute (bpm). The tempo of a piece can be altered to create different moods or atmospheres.
7. Key: Key refers to the tonal centre of a piece of music. It is the note that all the other notes in the piece relate to. The key of a piece can be determined by identifying the tonic note, which is the first note of the scale.
8. Instrumentation: The instrumentation of a piece of music refers to the instruments that are used to perform it. Instrumentation can vary from a single instrument to a large orchestra. Different instruments can be used to create different timbres and textures.