A true appreciation of music is created by the awareness of its elements. In the organized production of sound through music, all elements are interrelated. For instance, in order to understand tone color and dynamics in performance, we need familiarity with instruments—including the human voice. If we want to understand musical texture, form, and style, we need to develop our knowledge of rhythm, melody, and harmony.

The physics of sound, the elements of music, and the mechanics of musical instruments can be very intimidating topics. But these concepts, and the systems used to communicate them (such as notation and music theory) are ways to describe something easily perceptible by the human ear. The resources in this section provide information you can use to better understand the interrelated aspects of the elements of music. Additional essential information on the nature of sound and its perception is also provided.