Unit 9: Overview
Music is the most abstract of the arts. It does not represent objects or tell stories (at least not in the way painting and literature do). Its medium is organized sound, and its subject matter, is feeling itself: the structures of emotion made audible.
Unit 9 introduces the elements of music: tone, rhythm, tempo, melody, harmony, counterpoint, and dynamics. It also presents two competing theories about how music works: formalism (music is meaningful because of its internal structure) and expressionism (music is meaningful because it refers to emotions and experiences outside itself). This unit does not ask you to choose between them, but it does ask you to understand the difference.
You do not need to read music or play an instrument to engage with this unit. You do need to listen carefully. This unit will direct you to specific pieces. Give them your full attention, and apply the vocabulary as you listen.
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, you should be able to:
- Define the elements of music: tone, consonance, dissonance, rhythm, tempo, melody, harmony, counterpoint, and dynamics
- Explain the difference between formalism and expressionism as theories of musical meaning
- Distinguish between a melody, a theme, and a motive
- Describe how composers use contrast, repetition, and variation to create musical form
- Apply descriptive and interpretive criticism to a musical work
What you'll do in this unit
- Explore the Watch & Listen at the top of the lesson, taking your time with each work
- Work through the lesson and open each numbered section
- Try the Experience It activity at the end of the lesson
- Write your reflection, then take the quiz