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Discovering music through listening
Discovering music through listening

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Week 2: The elements of melody and timbre

Introduction

This week you will learn about two elements of music that are often perceived simultaneously – melody and timbre. The tunes we sing, the jingles that get stuck in our minds, or the long soaring themes of a symphony are all aspects of melody. Timbre is what makes each instrument or voice sound distinct and is often closely attached to melody.