Elements of Music #1 Handout 1. Rhythm the flow of music in terms of time 2. Beat the pulse that recurs regularly in music 3. Meter the regular pattern of stressed and unstressed beats 4. Tempo the speed of the beats in a piece of music 5. Polyrhythm two or more rhythm patterns occurring simultaneously 6. Pitch the perceived highness or lowness of a musical sound 7. Melody a series of consecutive pitches that form a cohesive musical entity 8. Counterpoint two or more independent lines with melodic character occurring at the same time 9. Harmony the simultaneous sounds of several pitches, usually in accompanying a melody 10. Dynamics the amount of loudness in music 11. Timbre tone quality or tone color in music 12. Form the pattern or plan of a musical work