Explaining Two Musical Elements - In Your Own Words

The two terms I will use are:

1. Clef

2. Tempo


1. The Clef is what tells the musician which pitch they are playing. The lower (more mellow) instruments play in the Bass Clef and the woodwinds and higher pitched instruments play in the Treble Clef. As a flute player, I play in the treble clef because the notes are higher on the staff and my instrument is able to reach those notes played (otherwise known as the range of the instrument).

2. Tempo is quite simply how fast the piece is going. For instance the tempo for an upbeat, joyful TV commercial about fabric softener is going to have a faster tempo - and probably along the allegro / vivace pace. An older and more conservative liturgical piece will more than likey have a grave / adagio pace. Tempo sets the mood, atmosphere and all around design of the piece. You could play a song slowly that is meant to be played fast or vise versa - it changes the entire mood of the piece.