Music is build up with of a number of elements.
I do not want to address all elements, because
many good books are written about music elements.
I will focus on those elements, which can
make the difference between bad and good
computer music.
Music is not a frozen statue or picture.
It is a moving object changing during the
time it ‘exists’. By structuring this movement
during this time frame, you will get the
cadence, the meter, and the rhythm of music.
Music is also tone. However, also music without tone exists.
Some ‘primitive’ cultures have music that
contains only beat and noise. In our western
music culture, tone is a key element of music.
A sequence of tones with a different timbre
or pitch is called melos. If we bound such a melos to a specific
cadence, meter and/or rhythm we get a melody.
Harmony is the combination of two or more tones
with a different pitch. It is an important
element, but music can exist without harmony.
Color or timbre of a tone can change the perception of a
piece of music. This element got more and
more emphasis.
Space has become an interesting element that has
been explored by composers. In classical
music, some composers have used it, but in
electronic music it is sometime essential.
The reasonable priced surround sound equipment's
ensure that many listeners can also perceive
the use of space by a composer.
An important aspect in music is the tempo. Tempo is the ratio between measurable,
objective time, and the time we perceive
- the subjective time. Constant ratios are
perceived as machine-like. House music has
very often a constant tempo. However, in
human performed music the tempo always changes.
Often as indicated by tempo indicators, like:
andante, allegro, etc. A human performer,
however, also makes small changes in tempo
which are not indicated in the score. Adding
these changes in your MIDI-files make them
more realistic, and livelyThere are some
general rules, which you can apply to make
these tempo changes. However, you must realize
that there are always exceptions on rules.
As I already told you, there are exceptions to the rules. E.g. an upwards going melody with an decrease in tempo gives an increase in tension. Mahler is one of the composers who uses this.