Basic Elements of Music

This primer surveys the history of music and the composers who made that history; the history of instrument families and how the instruments function; an introduction to the science of sound and sound production; the various types of ensembles; and the fundamentals of music theory, form in music, musical notation, and music vocabulary.

Michael Pagliaro was a professor of instrumental music and musical instrument technology at Marymount College/Concordia College. He is Founder and CEO Emeritus in Counsel of Ardsley Musical Instrument Service, Ltd., and Director of Research and Development for Contemporary Music Laboratories.

Chapter 1: An Overview of the History of Music Chapter 2: Sound Production Chapter 3: Non-fretted String Instruments Defined Chapter 4: The History of Non-fretted String Instruments Chapter 5: How Non-fretted Instruments Work Chapter 6: Brass Instruments Defined Chapter 7: The History of Brass Instruments Chapter 8: How Brass Instruments Work Chapter 9: Woodwind Instruments Defined Chapter 10: The History of Woodwind Instruments Chapter 11: How Woodwind Instrument Work Chapter 12: Percussion Instruments Defined Chapter 13: The History of Percussion Instruments Chapter 14: How Percussion Instruments Work Chapter 15: Form in Music Chapter 16: Music Theory Chapter 17: Ensembles Chapter 18: Anatomy of an Opera Chapter 19: The Role of the Conductor