Topic Two (1.2): Explore the elements and language of music

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

In this topic you will be exploring the basic elements using your chosen instrument(s) and the language of music.

Skills Icon.png Instructions

  • Investigate each element using your chosen instrument, for example, playing at different pitches, different note durations and with changes in tempo/volume. You may find this checklist helpful.

DOWNLOAD - Exploring the Elements of Music Checklist Download DOWNLOAD - Exploring the Elements of Music Checklist

  • How does your instrument/s relate to each element? Here is an example using voice.

LISTEN - Exploring the elements audio example

Review Icon.png Review

Please ask your instrumental teacher if you can improve/develop any of your dynamics when playing. This is a good technique to use ready for any exams you might take in the future.

Do you remember what dynamics means in music? It is the way in which an instrument is played.

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

Revise the key vocabulary and complete the activities on pages 45 - 47 of your Grade 3 Discovering Music Theory book, then have a go at this Grade 3 quiz:

COMPLETE - grade 3 Terms & Signs quiz (ABRSM) Links to an external site.

If you haven't studied the key vocabulary for Grades 1 and 2 or want to revise it, you can have a go at the Grade 1 and 2 quizzes in the link above. See a full list of the vocabulary for Grades 1, 2 and 3 here:

READ - Musical Terms (clementstheory.com) Links to an external site.

This vocabulary can be used in any musical listening or describing activity, so is well worth learning. It will also be used as parts of assignments. Once you have completed these activities, you can check your answers in the answer book.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

EXPLORE - Grade 4 Music Theory Resources (mymusictheory.com) Links to an external site. 

You can use this website to find further explanations on each theory topic, with extra practice questions and answers. It also has an extensive list of musical terminology in Italian, and also some German and French terms.