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How to understand music

Understand Music

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Music is a harmonious combination of sounds that produce a euphony to your ears. (snap snap!)

Music is a harmonious combination of sounds that produce a euphony to your ears. (snap snap!)

All music has a TEMPO/PACE, a KEY/TONE, and a TIME SIGNATURE/RHYTHM. All of these things combined create a BEAT and a MELODY for the song that make ONE harmonious composition.

All music has a TEMPO/PACE, a KEY/TONE, and a TIME SIGNATURE/RHYTHM. All of these things combined create a BEAT and a MELODY for the song that make ONE harmonious composition.

This composition of harmonious sounds is built up like a cake.

At the BOTTOM of the cake are the BASS/LOW sounds. In the MIDDLE are TREBLE/HIGH sounds. My typical song starts with a base beat and melody and the treble sounds are layered on top.

At the BOTTOM of the cake are the BASS/LOW sounds. In the MIDDLE are TREBLE/HIGH sounds. My typical song starts with a base beat and melody and the treble sounds are layered on top.

I also have a fill-in melody and a fill-in beat to make the song sound more full. And sometimes a little cherry on top.

The HIGHNESS or LOWNESS of a sound is called the PITCH of the sound. Notes can have a LOW pitch (Bass), or a HIGH pitch (Treble).

There are instruments that have LOW sounds, and there are instruments that have HIGH SOUNDS.

A BASS DRUM has a very LOW sound, while a SNARE DRUM has a HIGH sound. These are called PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. They can be used to make a BEAT.

A BASS DRUM has a very LOW sound, while a SNARE DRUM has a HIGH sound. These are called PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. They can be used to make a BEAT.

A TUBA has a very LOW sound. A Trumpet has a HIGH SOUND. These are called BRASS INSTRUMENTS. They can be used to create a BEAT or MELODY.

A TUBA has a very LOW sound. A Trumpet has a HIGH SOUND. These are called BRASS INSTRUMENTS. They can be used to create a BEAT or MELODY.

The BASSOON has a LOW sound. The PICCOLO has a HIGH sound. These are called WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS. They too can make a BEAT or a MELODY.

The BASSOON has a LOW sound. The PICCOLO has a HIGH sound. These are called WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS. They too can make a BEAT or a MELODY.

All of these instruments, when played IN SYNC (correct tempo, key, and  rhythm) produce a HARMONY.

All of these instruments, when played IN SYNC (correct tempo, key, and rhythm) produce a HARMONY.

And we do need a bit of harmony, no?

And we do need a bit of harmony, no?

Tocas la musica!

The creator of this guide has not included tools