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