Building Blocks of Music

Building Blocks of Music
The three most important elements in music are:
Melody
Harmony
Rhythm
These three elements help determine whether a song is a MARCH or a WALTZ or whatever.
They provide a framework that helps musicians sing and play together.
How do we hear them?
In most jazz, rock, R&B and
country music, the RHYTHM is
usually played by the drums.
A string bass or bass guitar helps "keep time" and plays low notes that sound good with the melody and harmony.
Pianos and guitars often play the HARMONY or chord progressions. The piano or guitar might supply rhythm if there is no bass or drums.
The MELODY may be played by any instrument.
Or even sung. In a large group, the melody
will probably be played by a trumpet, trombone,
sax, clarinet, flute or violin.
(CHORDS are combinations of notes
played at the same time.
Pianos and guitars are instruments
that can play more than one note at a time.)
Listen carefully to these song selections.
Can you identify who is playing the melody, the harmony and the rhythm? Does this ever change?
A series of notes in a specific order
Notes that sound good
with the melody
The way the music moves.