Introduction
Songs have different tones and rhythms; each one of them is designed in a way to suit a certain purpose to which it is designed. When composing a song, different styles are employed to come out with the test that is needed. The basic elements that songwriters use include; form, texture, and color. With the following details, one will be able to identify what distinguishes a song from the other.
Form
The form is a style through which a music piece is organized where the different structure is used to produce a specific sound. The styles used include repetition, contrast, and variation. Repetition in music creates a definite rhythm that is easy to remember and also enjoyable to listen to. Contrast is the change that is brought in the music, especially through different instruments to express moods. Variation, on the other hand, is the use of different tunes to bring out a variety of patterns. There are three different structures that a music piece may take; the first one is A-B; this is the basic form of music which is composed of two different sections that contrast each other. The second one is A-B-A, and in this form, the music is divided into three parts, but the last part repeats itself to bring about balance. The last structure is the A-A-B-A, which has four parts, three of them repeated. The B part represents the bridge of a song. This format brings out the balance in music. (Godoy, 2001)
There are also different components that form can take; the sonata, which has three parts. Exposition is the introductory part of it which has two contrasting themes one which is dramatic and the other is lyrical; development is the main part which joins different themes and incorporates them into a specific idea, and finally we have the recapitulation which is the conclusion and recalls the earlier themes of the music.
Texture
Texture in music can be described by the use of different musical instruments at ago to create a certain desired sound. The different types of textures can be identified by the number of instruments used to design them. For instance, monophonic is for one sound of music, for example, singing without any musical instrument, polyphonic is when different melodies that are played concurrently to overlap each other like in round songs, homophonic is when sounds of similar rhythm are played together to form a definite rhythm, heterophonic is when two different sounds are played for a similar melody, and lastly we have the mixed texture which is an advanced style, it is made of many voices of melody that are organized to produce music. (Turek, 1996)
Color
Color in music is the identification mark of the style of different sounds of music. Each instrument has a unique sound that differentiates it from the other; this difference is brought about by the following factors; overtone structure that is the physical structure represented by a keynote, style of producing a sound which depends on the kind of the music, and how the performer chooses to play it. Instrument makeup is where instruments will produce sounds according to the quality and kind of material that is used to make them. The technique of playing is where performers have different styles and skills of playing, which may be designed to produce a variety of sounds. Musical aesthetics is about the different ways through which a group of people chooses to play music. Different cultures, for example, can be identified by a particular tone. (Godoy, 2001)
Conclusion
The different elements discussed above can be used differently or jointly to come up with a rhythm that makes up music. The quality of the music depends on the skill of the performer and the instruments used. Different music requires specific styles and skills, with the above application, you will be able to identify how the different elements are applied in songs to come up with different rhythms.
References
Godoy I, (2001): Music Imagery: Rout ledge pp.14-18.
Turek R. (1996): The Elements of Music, McGraw Hill College.