Parameters of Music

Question 1

Pitch

Answer 1

Which tones occur?
To what degree are the tones stable?
To what degree are they varied or inflected?

Question 2

Timbre

Answer 2

Which instrumental or vocal sounds occur?
In which ways (and to what degree) do they sound alike?
In which ways (and to what degree) do they contrast?

Question 3

Melody

Answer 3

Which tones occur successively?

Question 4

Harmony

Answer 4

Which tones occur simultaneously?

Question 5

Rhythm

Answer 5

What is the temporal relationship among events?

Question 6

Tempo

Answer 6

How quickly or slowly do events occur?

If the speed changes, does it change suddenly or gradually?

Question 7

Meter

Answer 7

Is there a regular pattern to the succession of pulses?

Question 8

Phrase

Answer 8

How are events grouped or separated?

Question 9

Form

Answer 9

What are the relationships among musical materials across the course of the entire piece?

Question 10

Dynamics

Answer 10

How loud or soft are the events?

If the volume changes, does it change suddenly or gradually?

Question 11

Texture

Answer 11

How many performers (or abstract “voices”) participate?
To what degree is their material independent?
To what degree is their material coordinated?