Rhythm is undoubtedly the oldest element of music. Most historians agree that music began with pure rhythms. Of course, unlike today, the earliest forms of music were not divided into more euphonious metrical patterns. These patterns include the ubiquitous 4/4 (common) meter and 3/4. More uncommon (compound) meters include 5/4, 7/8, and in some cases composers use additive meters such as 3+2/4.
(more...)

Over spring break I read a modest volume by Aaron Copland, the title of which I am borrowing for this new series of posts: What To Listen For in Music.

It may seem odd that anyone would need to "learn" how to listen to music. We listen to music so often that it's almost instinctive, unfortunately to the point where it becomes a purely mindless pastime. Granted, most of the music being listened to is indeed purely mindless, but even the basest of pop songs can usually be succumbed to intelligent analysis.

The discipline of being a "good listener" can be applied to all kinds of music, be it a Haydn symphony or "gangsta rap." For this reason the term "music" will be applied very loosely, because while rap is indeed music, it is not necessarily good music.

In this series of posts, we will be learning to listen for the basic elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, and structure.

And as a general address to all readers, please do not be discouraged if you don't know what an appogiatura is or if you've never analyzed a tone row. Whenever I must use such terminology, I'll do my best to explain it as clearly as possible for ultimate knowledge elevation !!

Stay tuned!