Music Elements Meaning Melody – the main tune of a song; the part you usually sing or hum.Rhythm – the pattern of beats; how the music moves through time.Tempo – the speed of the music (fast, slow, moderate).Dynamics – the volume of the music (loud or soft).Harmony – the combination of different notes played or sung at the same time.Timbre – the quality or color of the sound; what makes an instrument or voice sound unique.Form – the structure or layout of the music (e.g., verse–chorus–verse).Texture – how many layers of sound are heard (e.g., solo vs. full band).