ELEMENT

S
OF
PERFORMI
NG ARTS
 Music
Music, as an auditory art, uses a particular
language to know its elements in order to
understand the musician’s mode or technique of
manipulating sounds in order to create meanings.
The elements of music are: rhythm, melody,
harmony, tempo, dynamics, and timbre.
Elements of Music
1. Rhythm is the basic element of music, the beginning of music. It is the variation of
length and accentuation of a series of sounds. There is rhythm in nature: in the swaying
of trees, in the drops of rain and the movement of water waves.
In music, its most fundamental component
is heat, i. e., the recurrent pulse found in
most music. In music, the beat is that to
which we clap our hands or tap our feet.
Meter is the regular occurrence of
accented and unaccented beats.
According to Charles Hoffer, the beat of music is "a pulse or throb that is sensed rather
than sounded and it recurs regularly,,, and is not necessarily present in all music."
 Beat is the simple pulse found in almost all music familiar to us
while the rhythm is a larger concept, including the beat and
everything that happens to sounds in relation to time.

One way of measuring rhythm is means of meter.

Meter is the arrangement of rhythm in fixed, regular pattern with a
uniform number of beats in uniform measures. It is also the way
beats are grouped and measured so that some beats receive accent
while others do not.
 2. Melody is the second important clement of music. If rhythm is associated
with physical motion, melody is associated with mental motion. It is
sometimes called the memory element because it is always remembered by a
listener.
It refers to pitches or tones sounded one after another
in a logical meaningful series.
It is also defined as succession of tones arranged in such a way
as to give a musical sense.
Tones may go up or down or remain on the level.

Melody is an organized group of pitches strung out sequentially to form a

satisfying musical entity. Melody occurs in various guises and circumstances
and is heard in terms of pitch.
3. Pitch indicates the highness or lowness of sound and is determined solely by
the frequency of molecular vibrations. Thus, the slower the vibration, the lower
the pitch and the faster the vibration, the higher the pitch.
Relation of one pitch to another is called an interval. When
certain patterns of intervals are repeated at a different pitch.
we have a sequence embodies melodic and rhythmic
repetition.
A good melody must contain the following
qualities:
1. The listener must have a of satisfaction. completeness,
and feeling of integrity
2. Melodic line must of continuity — long in flowing high
and low point of interest and a climactic moment. is
called the “la grande ligne”- — the great long line.
4. Harmony refers to the manner of sound combination wherein we add
subordinate sounds to enhance the quality of the main sounds
Harmony is the sounding series or group of tones at the same
time or simultaneously instead of single tone sounded separately

CHORD – the tonal combination of two or more tones

sounded at the same time.
CONCORD – if the combination or chord seems to
produce an impression of agreeableness or resolution to the
listener.
DISCORD/DISSONANCE – if it does not the
combination
 Harmony is perceived when there is relationship of the tones within
the chord, of one chord to another, and the progression of chords. Most
homophonic music, being chordal in nature, are examples of harmony
while polyphonic music, being linear in nature as it uses the counterpoint
device, may produce harmony through a simultaneous sounding of pitches.

In general, harmony refers only to the simultaneous

sounding of pitches regardless of whether the chords
sound pleasing or not.
5. Tempo refers to the speed of a certain musical piece. It is measured by
a device by the musical notes given half or full values. Tempo may be
slow, quick, or moderate. An unsuitable tempo can ruin a song. Here is a
list of terms commonly used to indicate tempo:

largo – very slow allegro – fast

adagio – slow and stately presto – very fast
andante – at a walking accelerando –
pace gradually becoming
andantino – alternatively faster
faster or slower than ritardando –
andante gradually becoming
allegretto – moderately fast slower
6. Dynamics refers to the amount, strength, or volume of the sound. It is the
degree and variations of sonority and force with which the music is played from
soft to loud.
Dynamics is perceived when composers and performers make
skillful use of shadings or volume so that the music reveals an almost
constant interplay between loud and soft music.

7. Timbre refers to tone quality. This element helps differentiate one type of
voice from another or one instrument from another.

In general, when the elements are organized and combined in

such a way that the listener finds the experience rewarding and
meaningful, then music is created.
 Dance

Dancing is an art and a

recreation. As an art, it tells a
story, a set of moods, or
expresses an emotion. Dances
vary in form. Some forms of
dances are religious dance,
magical dance,
commemorative dance,
ceremonial dance, recreative
dance and testimonial dance.
Types of Dances
1. Folk dance/ Ethnic dances are social
dances that portray the beliefs, interest,
habits, customs, and practices of the
nature.
2. Ballroom dances are dances of public
entertainment, usually in pairs in
ballrooms, nightclubs, auditorium or in
public places. Examples are waltz, swing,
foxtrot, cha-cha, boogie, tang, body
language, rhumba.
3. Theatrical dances are performed for
the entertainment of the audience in a
theater. Examples are ballet, modern
dance, musical comedy dance and tap
dancing.
The Dance and its
Elements
1. Music is the auditory background to
which a dancer moves. A dance is
always accompanied by any form of
music.
2. Theme is the most element of a
dance. It conveys the message of a
dance. Thus, a dance that does not
convey a message, even if there is
movement, it' not a dance.
3. Design is the pattern of movement in
time and space. Pattern in time refers
to the unaccented beats of movements
into measures. Pattern in space refers
4. Movement refers to the bodily
actions of the dancer that include his
steps, gestures of the arms, hands
and body, and facial expression.
5. Technique is the skill of movement
executed by the dancer.
6. Costume and body paraphernalia
are properties worn by the dancer
that help reflect the message,
customs, beliefs, and setting of the
dance.
7. Choreography refers to the figures
and steps in dancing that enable the
dancers to perform a dance in an
organized manner.
8. Scenery refers to the background or
setting where the dance is performed
 Literature
Literature is one of the arts that is
expressive of human feelings. It shows
well-expressed ideas or feelings
through symbolic presentation, usually
through short stories, poetry, drama or
play, essay, among others.
Classification of
Literature
1.Escape literature is for entertainment
purposes, that is, to help us pass the time in an
agreeable manner of life. Escape literature
enables us to temporarily forget our troubles.

2. Interpretative literature enables us to

understand our troubles. object of escape
literature is pleasure while the object of
interpretative literature is pleasure plus
understanding.
General Elements of Literature
Writers should be careful in their choice of words and expressions
of their emotions and ideas in order to carefully organize sentences
that would manifest a high sense of value.
A writer should bear these objectives in mind:
1. To strive in raising the level of the reader’s humanity.
2. To accomplish the purpose of making a man a better person,
giving him a high sense of value.
The important elements of literature
are:
1. Emotional appeal
2. Intellectual appeal
Emotional
appeal
Is attained when the
reader is emotionally
moved or touched by any
literary work like THE
FREEDOM OF THE
MOON.
Intellectual appeal
• It adds knowledge or information and remind the reader
of what he has forgotten.
• The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo of Jose Rizal
are good illustrations of literature of intellectual appeal.

Humanistic appeal
• Can be realized when the literary work affirms the dignity and
worth of all people.
Specific Elements of Literature
Elements of the Short Story
 Literature can be classified as escape and interpretative.
 A story becomes interpretative as it illuminates some aspects of human life or
behavior.
 An interpretative story presents us with an insight- large or small- into the
nature and condition of our existence.
 A short story is a work of fiction that can be read in one sitting (McDougal,
2006).
 A short story develops one major conflict.
 It can be appreciated through and increase understanding of what a story is as
well as the tools or elements of the story.
Tools or Elements of the Story
1. PLOT 2. CHARACTER
– the sequential arrangement of related – refer to people or animals that take part
events and actions of which the story is in the action of a story.
composed. Characterization is used by writer to
– it starts from Exposition (beginning of present characters.
the story)
• Direct characterization – when the
• Complication (actions grows
short story writer tells you how a
stronger)
character looks, behaves and thinks.
• Climax (ody to the turning point of
the story) • Indirect characterization – when the
• Resolution (ending) short story writer lets you draw your
own conclusions about a character from
Plot in a short story means arrangement the way the character speaks or acts.
of actions. The actions refers to an
3. POINT OF VIEW
- refers to how the author or narrator allows us to
see what he wants us to see. It refers from whose
point of view the events of the story are told.
- the story can be told in the 1st person point of 5. THEME
view (either as observer or participant); or be told - refers to the message
in 3rd person, in omniscient or panoramic point of communicated by the story. It is
view as limited omniscient point of view.
the unifying generalization about
4. SETTING life stated or implied in the story.
- could be a locale or place where the event or - subordinate themes are called
action took place; or a feeling that invites motifs.
meaning.
- its function is to lend an idea, as a symbol, as an
6. IRONY
atmosphere and as a motive force of the story. - is a contrast among what seems
and what is and could be.
According to Bascara (2004), irony can
be: 7. SYMBOLISM – refers to
• Dramatic- a contrast between what something that is more than what it is
the fictional character says, and what in reality. Symbols are objects,
the audience or reader knows in the persons, situations, actions and all
same words. recognizable things or items that
• Situational- a contrast between suggest other meanings.
expectation and result; intention and 8. STYLE – implies control of
outcome; illusion (appearance) and material through the use of literary
reality. and figurative languages. It may refer
• Verbal – a contrast between what is to the total working out of the short
said and is meant; the opposite is
story, taking all other elements
said from its intended, often a (character, plot, theme, setting) into
vehicle of sarcasm, sadness and consideration.
affection.
 Elements of Poetry
Its elements are:
• Poetry is a branch of the
humanities that imaginatively 1. LANGUAGE- refers to the poet who
uses every resource of language:
and figuratively expresses
• Denotative language (actual
man’s thoughts and feelings,
meaning)
usually in verse form. Its • Connotative language (implied
theme is generally personal- meaning)
love, death, frustration, hatred, • Poetic language (language that
faith in God and man, human considers diction, vocabulary and
sufferings, culture and level- simple or conventional)
• Figurative language (most often
traditions, etc.
simile or metaphor)
Among the types of literature,
poetry writing is the most
challenging for the following
Kite Days
reasons:
A kite, a sky, and a good firm
1. The choice of proper words
breeze
or grammar.
And acres of ground away from
2. The denotative and
trees.
symbolical meaning of
chosen grammar. And one hundred yards of clean,
strong string –
3. The limitation imposed by
the structure and rhythm of O boy, O boy! I call that Spring!
sounds. - Mark Sawyer
2. TIME – refers to the atmosphere,
feeling, attitude, stance or the way the poet
looks at his subject or the world. Such 5. RHYTHM and METER- is
feeling or atmosphere may either be related to the “beats of our
serious, ironic, bitter, joyful, resigned etc. hearts” and the “flow of air
3. IMAGERY- the representation of sense from our lungs”.
experience or the total sensory suggestion Rhythm is the regular and
of poetry- visual, auditory, tactile, and irregular patterns of stressed
bodily images. and unstressed syllables,
metrical, or rhetorical stress.
An “image” is the mental duplication of a
Meter is the accents that
sense impression. The most common
arranged as to occur at
imagery is visual, as we are made to see
approximately equal intervals of
what the author is talking about.
time. A metered language is a
4. SOUNDS- are characterized either as verse.
pleasant (full, open vowel sounds) or “Free verse”- the style wherein
 7. Shape of the poem- refers
6. THOUGHT or MEANING- to the pattern of arrangement
refers to the experience the poem of the words on the page. Most
expresses (What it feels like to…?). poems consist of lines grouped
Two meanings are distinguished: into stanzas. Each stanza has
• Total meaning- is the
idea in a poem, a portion its distinct features of thought
of the total experience it similar to a paragraph.
communicates. 8. Speaker- all poems have a
• Prose meaning- the value speaker, the voice that that
and worth of the poem, the talks to the readers. In some
total experience it poems, the speaker identifies
communicates. himself as “I” and “me” while
in others the speaker remains
in the background. The
speaker may or may not be the
Elements of the Essay
• Essay is a literary composition on a
The essay may be grouped as formal
particular subject. It is usually short and informal.
and it expresses the author’s
personal thoughts, feelings, It is considered informal
experiences, or observation on a when the essay is light,
phase of life that has interested him. humorous, and entertaining.
• Biography, history, travel, art,
It is formal when the essay is
nature, personal life, and criticism
heavy, informative, and
are among the innumerable subjects
intellectually stimulating.
in the field of choice of an essayist.
The following elements of an essay are:
1. The issue introduced. This reflects the actual
purpose of the writer.
2. The writer’s viewpoint and thought. The final stand
of the author, whether he is for or against the issue
he has discussed.
3. The relevance of the issue to the life of the reader.
This refers to the reader’s perception,
responsiveness and enjoyment of the theme.
Novel
• is a long work of prose friction dealing with
characters, situations , and scenes that
represent the real-life and the setting and
action is it the form of a plot.
• the purpose of fiction - is to give us moral
lessons and brings us pleasure
10 Elements of Novel

1. Setting -covers the time , the place

and the background 3. Theme - Is the universal truth found in
Examples: Chinatown in the cruz the novel,the idea or the topic.
,Manila in Edgardo Reyes, sa mga 4. Characters- are the morning spirit of
kubo ng liwanag the novel
2. Plot- is the skeleton or framework • it categorized morally and spirituality
which gives shape and proportion to the • as personality includes speech,
novel hairstyle ,hobby and attitude towards
work and all of the complex attitudes
• order in the events or happenings in
and the feelings that defines
the novel
individual.
• conflict is the important element in • is important in literature because most
the plot of the authors have discovered , people
• to understand the plot better ,we are interesting
should determine first the ideals, the
Drama
• is a representation made of words, Two aspect of drama :
sounds, and actions of the
characters. Drama as a script-is the dialogue
• may either be a tragedy ( a story of read by the person representing
struggle against circumstances and the characters
suffering. Drama as a play -is script coming
• can be comedy ( a story from to life and is the director
achievement ,or self deception , of interpretation of the script and
optimistic view of life) acted out by the actual participants
2.Characters / dramatics personae - are
believe the persons , either protagonist and
antagonist and whose personality are 6. Climax-is the scene or incident
carefully brought out by their that is the fruition of the
appearance ,speech and actions and what accumulated suspense, and the
other character say to them stirs the most intense feelings or
3. Conflict - In drama we find struggle, emotions.
clash of wills and conflicts
7. .Music and spectacle-is a
4. Irony-arises from a recognition from
discrepancy between the expected and theater convention which is a part
actual, the apparent and real of the total appeal of the drama,
5.Theme or idea-refers to the dramatic and which shows the relationship
situation that may be taken from the Bible, of the script, actor, audience,
Myth, legend , history or anything that author. producer, society, genre,
familiar to the audience. stage and others.
 10 Elements of
8. Costumes and make up – Drama
Importance of reading
Before the rehearsal , all the parts and literacy works
1.Plot
of• each costume should be hung
is the soul of the drama or it’s summary
together and tagged in one • Literacy works of arts like poetry,
• it is concerned with what happens in the story,the overall structure of the play
specific dressing area short stories, novels, essays and
The plot is divided : plays are worth reading because
9.Dialogue – is the conversion
 exposition or introduction (author intoduces the character ,provides information about
between and among
earlier events thesituation
and present
they do not only entertain or give
characters of the drama.
 inciting action-situation moves toward a point pleasure but and also we learn
 rising action
10.Settiing, -part of the complication
summary and moral values that can improve our
 crisis or turning point-where choices and decisions
lighting – Scenery and lighting life lead to the inevitable
 falling action -in which incident follows the•turning
Reading literary
point without works
decrease inhelps is
intensity
,furniture,painted backdrops or
 denouement or resolution-which clarifies andacquire relaxes theknowledge
tension and
large props should appear real.
information on man’s progress
and achievement, to serve as